Hang tags are the tag you see tied to an item of clothing or an accessory in a clothing store. They are usually cardboard or plastic and they are another form of marketing trying to attract you to purchase or notice an item.
They will carry the company logo and other information on them and can assist the customer and the retail worker alike. They are really a far more essential part of the packaging than they may at first appear. They can help catch the potential buyers’ eye and help to draw them in. The information and design on the tag can even help make a sale. So just how do this seemingly simple clothes tag help do so much and why is it so important?
Hangtags serve many purposes. Here are some of these.
Eye-catching designs
The first thing you will notice about a hang tag is the design. Maybe it is made up of bright colors or is a unique design. Whatever it is about the hang tag that draws you to the item for sale, the tag has done part of its job. It is there for marketing purposes as well as others. Clothing companies will either have in house designers or hire outside agencies to do this work. There will be a significant budget spent on design hang tags, advertising, and marketing, and the tags will be part of this.
Hangtags carry important information
They are not just there to look pretty and trendy. Hang tags are also used to convey useful information. Some of this information will be used by the shop and retail workers there to make their business run smoother. For example, the tag may carry a barcode that can be zapped at the checkout when a sale is made. These barcodes are also used for stocktaking, discounts, and also in the event that a customer needs or is given a refund.
Brand image
Clothing lines work hard to create a brand image and a logo that you can recognize. If you think of Nike, Chanel, or Versace for example, their logos are instantly recognizable to many people. Coca Cola and McDonald’s are worldwide brands that millions of people know without having to even think. It doesn’t matter if the fashion company is small or big their marketing department and design agency will work extremely hard to make sure their logo can be seen on that tag and has recognition. Companies spend a lot of money on branding and it is never taken lightly by a serious manufacturer.
Price and size
Not all hang tags carry the same info but you will often see the garment size on the tag and sometimes the price too. These are basic things that any buyer will look for before trying on the item or buying. Perhaps the price will be in a sticker placed on top of the tag surface or there may be a tear-off tag at the bottom in case of a price change, for example in a sale. Tear off or perforated areas (usually at the bottom) can be used for other things such as discounts.
Discounts
Tear off areas on the bottom of the tag can come into play again to show a discount on a hangtag. When the sale is over the tear-off part can be removed and the price will be altered on the till system and either revert to the old price or be repriced completely.
Materials
To perhaps most people the material used in an item of clothing is very important. The hangtag can be a useful way to convey what materials are used in the clothing. Especially if it is a selling point. For example, if it is 100% organic or a certain type of cotton.
Ethical information
People are becoming far more aware of their environment and the problems with the world. The tag can be used to show any ethical qualities. Perhaps the garment is from a carbon-neutral manufacturer or they donate money from every sale to plant trees. The hangtag is a good way to promote these qualities and let any potential buyers know that they are contributing to a worthy cause which they may already have an interest in.
Manifesto
Many companies have a mission statement or manifesto. A hangtag allows the clothing company to display this. This can also be a selling point and lets the buyer understand more about the manufacturer they are buying from.
Contact info
Fairly simple but you can’t place contact information on the garment itself so the tag allows for email addresses or customer service details to be added along with the manufacturer’s website. This helps direct traffic to the site and drive interest in their other ranges and items for sale. Perhaps there are exclusive offers on the website or a newsletter that can be signed up to receive the latest information. There may even be an online shop where you can order directly.
Call to action
A call to action is something that encourages the buyer or potential buyer to actively participate and perhaps create an emotional bond. This could be asking the buyer to sign up for a newsletter or join a page on social media or just like the brand on Facebook. Whatever it is it creates a small bond between the buyer and the seller which is more than just a financial transaction.
Unique design
Hang tags are generally made out of card or plastic but the opportunity is there to make something a bit more unique to stand out. Perhaps the designer will create the tag out of a different material or it could be cut to resemble a shape such as an animal or something appropriate to the brand. Again this is just another small way that tags can help with the advertising and marketing side of selling the garment.
Summary
So hang tags are not just for prices and sizes or washing instructions. Through clever use of space and design they can convey the brand image, manifesto, call to action, contact details and more.
