A hang tag is only half the job — the other half is how it attaches. And the fastener is doing more than holding the tag on: it's part of the look, and it decides how quickly your team can tag a batch of stock. A waxed-cotton string says one thing; a plastic barb says another.
This is a run-through of every common attachment method, how it looks, how fast it is, and which suits your brand and volume. It's the companion to our hang tags 101 guide.
String: the premium choice
- Cotton, waxed cotton or jute twine
- Through a metal eyelet, knotted
- Boutique, considered, high-end
- Slower to attach by hand
- Best for lower-volume, higher-value
- Needs an eyelet in the tag
String is the most premium look, which is why designer and premium brands use it. Jute twine in particular pairs beautifully with kraft tags for eco and handmade brands.
Plastic barb: the fastest
A small plastic fastener fired through the garment and tag hole with a tagging gun — the tool used in most retail stores. By far the fastest way to attach tags at volume, which is why high-throughput sellers rely on it. The trade-off: it looks functional rather than premium, so it suits fast-moving or value products rather than luxury.
Safety pin: the ethnic-wear standard
Common on Indian ethnic wear — sarees, kurtas, lehengas — and many value garments. Cheap, secure, easy to remove, and needs no eyelet. It looks traditional rather than premium, so brands choose it for practicality and cost. If you sell ethnic wear, it's often what customers expect.
Seal loops & bead chains: the middle ground
A plastic or nylon loop that threads through and locks. Neater than a barb, quicker than string.
A small metal ball-chain loop. Sturdy and a bit more premium than plastic.
These are the sweet spot when you want something sturdier and neater than a barb, without the slower hand-tying of string.
A note on eyelets
Plan for an eyelet if you want string. String, bead chain and some loops need a punched hole, ideally finished with a metal eyelet — it looks better and stops the hole tearing. Barbs and safety pins can go through a plain hole or the garment directly.
Quick guide: which attachment
Cotton or jute string through an eyelet. Slower, luxurious.
Safety pin — cheap, secure, expected.
Plastic barb + tagging gun — fastest by far.
Seal loop or bead chain — tidy and reasonably quick.
The short answer
The fastener is part of the tag's look and sets how fast you can tag stock. Use cotton or jute string (through a metal eyelet) for premium and boutique, safety pins for ethnic wear and value garments, plastic barbs with a tagging gun for fast high-volume retail, and seal loops or bead chains as a neat, quicker-than-string middle ground. Plan an eyelet if you want a string finish. Tell us your product, volume and the look you're after, and we'll recommend the attachment and supply it with your tags.
