Custom Swing Tags

Swing tags are the small printed cards that hang from a product, attached with string or ribbon or one of those plastic tag gun fasteners. They're one of those finishing touches that quietly does a lot of work: they tell people what they're buying, they carry your brand, and they make something handmade look like it belongs on a shop shelf rather than a market stall. If you're selling clothing, knitwear, pottery, candles, jewellery, tea towels, or anything else you've made yourself, a proper swing tag makes the whole thing feel more complete.

We print them on real card stock rather than flimsy paper that creases the moment someone picks it up, and we drill them ready for whatever attachment method you prefer. Rounded corners are available if you want a softer look, and we offer a range of finishes from smooth silk to textured linen to brown kraft, depending on the feel you're going for.

Who uses swing tags?

Mostly makers. People selling handmade goods at markets, through Etsy, or in local gift shops. Clothing designers and small fashion labels who want their t-shirts, hats, or knitwear to look finished and branded. Potters and ceramicists tagging their work. Candle makers, soap makers, food producers tying tags to jars and bottles. Anyone who's put time into making something and wants the presentation to match.

We also print a lot for people putting together gifts, whether that's wedding favours, corporate hampers, or Christmas boxes, where a "To/From" tag ties the whole thing together.

Sizes

We print swing tags in three shapes, and within each shape there are a few size options to choose from.

Rectangles come in 5 x 7.5cm, 5 x 9cm, and 5 x 10cm, which covers most standard swing tag uses from small clothing labels to larger gift tags with room for a message. Squares are available in 6.5 x 6.5cm and 8 x 8cm, which work nicely for a more modern, minimal look. Circles come in 6.5cm and 8cm diameter, and they're popular for anything where you want something a bit different from the usual rectangle.

All the rectangles and squares can have rounded corners if you prefer that look, and honestly most people do because it softens the whole design and the corners don't dog-ear as easily over time.

Card stocks

The stock you choose affects how the tag feels in your hand as much as how it looks, so it's worth thinking about what matches your product.

350gsm Silk is the standard option and works well for most jobs. It has a smooth, slightly shiny finish that prints colours cleanly and looks professional without feeling flashy. If you're not sure what to go for, this is a safe choice.

350gsm Uncoated has a more natural, tactile feel to it, almost papery but with proper weight and structure. Colours print slightly softer because the ink soaks into the fibres rather than sitting on top, which suits organic brands, natural products, and anything with an earthy aesthetic. It's also the one to choose if you want people to be able to write on the tag with a pen, for gift messages or that kind of thing.

Brown Kraft gives you the classic handmade market look, that earthy recycled cardboard colour that works so well with twine and rustic branding. Popular with food producers, eco-conscious makers, and anyone selling at farmers' markets or craft fairs.

Zeta Hammer has a textured surface with a subtle hammered pattern pressed into it, so it feels more expensive than it actually is. It works well for premium products, gifts, or anything where you want the tag to feel a bit special when someone picks it up.

Zeta Linen has a woven texture, almost like fine fabric, which adds a tactile quality that suits clothing brands, luxury goods, and fashion labels particularly well.

Pearlescent has a shimmery iridescent finish that catches the light beautifully. It's often used for wedding favours, jewellery, occasion gifts, or anything that needs a bit of sparkle and elegance.

If you're not sure which stock suits your product, we can post you samples so you can feel the difference before committing.

Finishing options

Rounded corners soften the overall look and also reduce wear because sharp corners tend to dog-ear and fray over time, especially if the tags are loose in a box or being handled repeatedly. Available on rectangles and squares.

Drilled hole is how you attach string, ribbon, or tag gun fasteners. The standard position is centred near the top edge, but if you need the hole somewhere specific for your design, just mark it on your artwork and we'll match it.

Lamination adds a thin protective layer that resists scuffing, fingerprints, and moisture, available in either matt or gloss. It's worth considering if your tags are going on products that get handled a lot before they sell, or if they'll be stored loose where they might rub against each other and mark.

Spot UV is a clear gloss coating applied to specific areas of your design rather than the whole tag, usually picking out a logo or text to create a shiny raised effect against a matt background. It looks great but there are minimum quantities, so get in touch if you want to discuss it.

Single or double sided

We can print one side or both. Single-sided works fine when the tag is purely for branding, but double-sided is useful when you need care instructions on the back, pricing information, ingredients, or a "To/From" section for gift tags. Most makers go double-sided because once you're printing anyway, you might as well use both sides.

Common artwork issues

A few things come up repeatedly that are worth mentioning so you can avoid them.

Too much information is the most common problem. Swing tags are small, and if you try to fit your entire brand story, full care instructions, a barcode, your website, all your social handles, and a thank you message onto a 5x7.5cm tag, the text ends up too small to read comfortably. It's worth deciding what actually matters and leaving the rest for your website or packaging.

Hole too close to text or artwork causes issues because the drill punches a 4mm hole and needs clear space around it. If your logo or important text runs right up to where the hole is going to be, it'll either get partially punched out or look cramped and awkward. Keep at least 5mm clear around where the hole will sit.

Trying to line up artwork with the hole is tempting when you have a design with a circle or graphic element that's meant to frame the hole perfectly, but it's tricky in practice because drilling isn't laser-precise and minor shifts are normal across a print run. If your design depends on the hole being in exactly the right spot to the millimetre, it probably won't work out the way you're picturing. Simpler layouts tend to work better.

No bleed catches people out when their design goes to the edge of the tag. If you want colour or imagery running right to the edge with no white border, you need to extend the artwork 3mm beyond the cut line so there's room for the normal tiny variations in trimming.

Attaching your tags

We supply the tags drilled and ready to go, but how you attach them is up to you and depends on what suits your product and your brand. String and ribbon work well for gifts, candles, and handmade goods where the attachment is part of the presentation. Plastic tag gun fasteners are quicker and more practical for clothing and retail situations where you're tagging a lot of items. Twine suits kraft tags and rustic branding nicely. Some people use small safety pins or even washi tape. Match the attachment to what you're selling.

Turnaround

For rectangles and squares, turnaround is usually 2-3 working days from approved artwork. Circles and die-cut shapes take a little longer at 3-4 working days because they need an extra production step. Spot UV timing depends on the job, so get in touch and we'll give you a realistic date.

If swing tags aren't quite right

If you need very small labels that stick directly onto products rather than hanging, printed stickers might work better. For larger hanging signs or counter displays, strut cards or small foamex boards are worth looking at. We don't do fabric labels sewn into clothing, but we can point you toward someone who does if that's what you need.