Hangtags are the labels attached to clothing that usually contain the basic information about the item. Size, price, brand… all this can be found on the hangtag. But what is now becoming more prevalent in the industry is the practice of using hangtags as another weapon in the battlefield of marketing.
Although many people think they are just there to tell the customer how much the item costs, hang tags are a branding opportunity that is often overlooked in the retail industry. Not only are they important for the end-user, but they can support brand identity and increase awareness.
From what a hang tag means to the consumer to the different finishes available to further your branding, learn about the importance of the underestimated hang tag.
- What a Hang Tag Means for the End User of Your Product
- A Famous Hang Tag That Demanded Attention and Broke Through the Noise
- More Important Than Ever: Eco-Friendly Retail Hang Tags
- Different Finishes Can Create a Distinctive Effect for Your Branding
WHAT HANG TAG MEANS FOR THE END-USER OF YOUR PRODUCT
Hang tags are beneficial for the details that are important to a customer such as sizing, pricing, and brand. But they are so much more than that in today’s bustling retail industry. Here’s just some of the information you could include:
- Care information - Advises the customer on how to wash their garment and makes your brand feel more credible.
- Material details - This is especially important to environmentally conscious shoppers who want to shop sustainably.
- Unique selling points - Differentiate your garment from the rest and flaunt its best attributes.
A high-quality branded swing tag ensures the customer that the product is of the same standard and adds to its credibility. Also, it gives you the space to demonstrate why they should choose your garment over any other brand.
Whether you’re showcasing the standout features that are a major selling point for the garment or including important material information, customers will resonate with this and take notice that the design includes these details that are often neglected. Connecting with consumers has never been more important.
A FAMOUS HANG TAG THAT DEMANDED ATTENTION AND BROKE THROUGH THE NOISE
Innovative hang tags can be a selling point for your garment and in some cases, will be left on to showcase value, quality, and the brand itself.
For example, Off White’s iconic industrial zip tie paired with the black and white striped hang tag. It contrasts with the luxury and expense of the fashion brand and everybody thinks twice about cutting that prestigious tag. This bold statement has created brand loyalty and customers will buy most things with that famous hang tag.
It shows that hang tag designs don’t have to be overly complicated and that a well-made one can establish itself as an industry leader. Breaking through the noise isn’t easy, but creating something with the potential to do so is made easier with the creativity hang tags give you.
MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER: ECO-FRIENDLY RETAIL HANG TAGS
The fashion industry is one of the major contributors to pollution in the world. People are quickly becoming more educated about the brands they purchase from and their environmental impact. This includes the sustainability of the fabrics used right down to the material of the hang tag.
Opting for an eco-friendly alternative such as sustainable papers for hang tags and vegetable inks is a step towards reducing the harmful impact fashion has on the environment. Taking a position on sustainability ensures a place within the ever-changing industry.
DIFFERENT FINISHES CAN CREATE A DISTINCTIVE EFFECT FOR YOUR BRANDING
When your product is competing amongst others in an oversaturated retail environment - you need to stand out. Hang tags play a vital role in brand awareness and you’re missing the chance to extend your narrative if you’re not utilizing them.
You’re no longer restricted to the traditional rectangle hang tag with the usual plain font price, sizing, and logo. Bespoke clothing branding specialists can give you the tools to make truly individual garment trims.
Using cutting-edge printing techniques, you can create compelling designs for your retail hang tags that not only make an impact but are in line with your branding.
- Matte Lamination - Create a soft and subdued look with this technique that works well with a minimalistic design to really create a sophisticated hang tag.
- Foil Stamping - Enhance the look of your hang tag by bonding metallic foil to create a highly visual and attention-grabbing finish.
- Embossing - Using heat you can accomplish a raised effect which works especially well to make logos stand out against an intricate background.
These are just a selection of innovative printing techniques that you could use on your hang tags. But as you can see, you really do have the power to create totally unique tags.
ARE YOU OVERLOOKING THESE INNOVATIVE TAGS, BADGES, AND TICKETS TOO?
So you know the importance of hang tags now. But are you neglecting the other important garment trims that could elevate your branding further?
We’ve created an all-in-one guide that covers everything you need to know about adding a fashion-forward finish to your garments.
DESIGNING A HANG TAG? HERE’S WHAT INFORMATION TO INCLUDE
Why hang tag your custom apparel?
1. They draw attention: In a retail setting, people come into contact with a lot of brands, often displayed close together with similar products. Anything you can do to differentiate your apparel will help get your brand noticed.
2. They tell a lot about your product and your brand: Any marketer will tell you that a customer's buying cycle goes something like this: emotional decision, rational justification. Hang tags provide you the valuable opportunity to appeal to both considerations. The color or material choice, your logo, or tagline may all evoke a feeling for a customer, while your highlighted features and benefits can add the validation necessary to justify their purchase.
3. They add perceived value: Among the more tangible advantages, when it comes down to it hang tags also just look great and give a certain oomph to your apparel that customers will notice. In marketing terminology, a hang tag adds to your apparel’s perceived value, the customer’s evaluation of a product’s ability to fulfill a need and provide more satisfaction than a competing product. Luxury brands are built on this. It’s the perceived value that justifies the price.
So, what information do you REALLY need?
In this case, need is a pretty relative term. Unlike custom relabeling, where certain information is legally required, hang tags can be as varied as the apparel itself. Since there’s nothing you absolutely must have--though your brand name would probably help--there’s a lot of potentials to be creative with what information you decide to include.
A great place to start is to consider the questions a customer might ask before purchasing your apparel. Are there special features of the product that aren’t instantly recognizable? Or there a mission statement or a company ethos that would resonate with your audience? Your hang tag is valuable, but small, a bit of real estate. Choose what will actively work to sell your product, engage your customers and create return buyers. Here are a few different things you might want to include.
Brand name and/or logo: Your brand name and your logo are probably the closest things to a must-have. After all, if someone can’t tell whose product they are buying, the chances of them becoming a return customer are pretty slim. It’s important to keep on-brand here, avoiding inconsistent typography and making sure your logo scales well without being significantly altered.
Tagline: Your tagline sums up your company vibe in a concise, catchy way. What could be a better addition to your hang tag than that?
A brief “About Us”: If you’ve got a manifesto, a back story, or a cause that a tagline just won’t cover, it’s worth including a lengthier message. What your company is passionate about matters to your customers and if it’s something unique to you, they definitely want to hear it.
This is especially important if the part of the proceeds of their purchase goes toward a charity or fundraiser. Your customers will feel good about contributing to a bigger cause, and statistics show it can even be a deciding factor when making a purchase.
Point of contact: Whether it’s your website, social media handle, email address (even physical address!) by including an avenue of contact, you open yourself up to return customers. It will allow them to see your other products, learn more about your company, tell their friends and, hopefully, stay in touch. And if they already liked your tee enough to buy it, there’s a good chance they’ll like that hoodie too.
Product information: If your apparel has benefits or qualities that aren’t immediately apparent, you’ll definitely want to include some additional product information. Don’t assume everyone can tell your garment is sweat-wicking, has a special hidden pocket, or will stay magically wrinkle-free. Choose to highlight the specific qualities your target audience will care about.
Call to action: A call to action asks your customer to do something. Whether it’s tagging or following you on social media or viewing a specific promotion or website, always consider what might motivate someone to follow through. Your call to action can also function as a thank you by providing a discount code customers can use on their next order.
Care instructions and fabric compositions: These bits of information are important if you’re selling an entirely bespoke garment or if there’s a quality of your fabric you’d really like to emphasize, like “100% organic cotton”. If not, consider leaving this off. Your manufacturer’s tags, or custom relabeled replacements, will already have this information listed.
Price and UPC: If you see your apparel in a bigger retail setting, you’ll want to include a price and maybe even a UPC. A UPC, or Universal Product Code, is a 12 digit code assigned to retail merchandise that identifies the product and the vendor who sells it. You don’t need a UPC code to sell in a retail setting, but if you’re planning on selling a lot of garments, it may help keep things running smoothly.
Photo or illustration: When you include a hang tag, your garment becomes a branded package. Because of this, an effective design is not only informative, it’s visually engaging. While we’ve focused a lot on what your hang tag says, don’t underestimate the benefits of featuring a photo or illustration. An image can tell a customer a lot about your brand, the lifestyle its wearer might embody and will be more eye-catching than an overly text-heavy design.
Stand out on the rack: Products, especially garments in crowded retail stores, can easily get lost on the racks. Having a distinctive hangtag that’s strategically attached to your product can make it stand out from the crowd. A distinctive logo, bright colorful designs, or even a strange and unique shape; these are all things which draw attention, and as a result, make your product stand out from the rest and help customers identify your product.
Help customers invest in your brand: By using a hangtag to share your brand’s unique story, you allow customers to become attached to your brand, and to foster a sense of loyalty. This is especially true in the case of eco-conscious, locally made, or one-of-a-kind pieces.
Explain your mission statement and fair trade policy on a hangtag, and this will allow customers to feel part of something bigger. People are becoming more and more environmentally conscious and are happier to pay extra if there’s a good reason to, but they need to see that reason!
Give easy access to care and pricing information: Presenting this information on the hangtag makes your brand feel more transparent and helps your customer make an informed purchase. Many of our clients’ pricing strategies account for the cost of ethical materials and their own labor, making their products appear pricier than mass-produced products in the same store.
Asking a fair price (alongside your brand’s story) can help educate customers on the true cost of consciously designed products. If there’s too much information for the space available, then a QR code will allow customers to go directly to a webpage, where you can explain in detail exactly what has gone into the product they are holding in their hands.
Promote your business: Think of a hangtag as a business card. Use it to not only sell the product it’s attached to, but to advertise your business at the same time. Print information on there that draws people to your website. Advertise your social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Use the hangtag to offer discounts on the customer’s next purchase. It’s an opportunity for promotion as well as simply communicating basic information.
ADVICE ON CREATING A HANGTAG
If you are an emerging designer and would like to create a hangtag that does more than simply give the size and price, then we have these suggestions:
RESEARCH OTHER BRANDS
Look at other brands in your similar market space and assess what you like and don’t like about the branding.
THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS
Make sure that every detail of your hangtag is well thought out: your typeface, brand colors, paper texture, and method of attaching the hangtags must match your overall brand identity, and appeal to your target customer.
GRAB THEIR ATTENTION
You are competing in a sea of other apparel brands and you want to impact your customer immediately.
LOGISTICS PLAY A PART
If you are wholesaling, make sure to leave space for the retailer to include their SKU and pricing information.
REMEMBER THE GOLDIE LOCKS RULE
Not too much information, but just enough to make a memorable impression.
USE IT FOR PROMOTION
Include your website and social media usernames on the card, so customers can find you later. Maybe offer discounts or advertise specials.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT
If a package is expensive, there’s a perception that the garment is of a higher quality. If you go that extra mile with your hangtag, the customer will notice.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
You can combine different materials, such as hang tags, price tickets, barcode tags. Show your uniqueness and add an extra eyelet, a gold diamante, or something special so your customers remember their purchase.
Whichever design you come up with for your hangtags, Image Label Systems can create them. We take the time to get to know your specific requirements and create solutions that work for you.
Product packaging is the face your brand presents to the world, so it always pays to put your best face forward.
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-Bureau Chief: Kacharagadla | CPP Insights