How to Attach Hang Tags: String, Pins, Loops and Grommets
How to attach hang tags to clothing, jars, bottles and gifts: string, loop pins, safety pins, elastic and ribbon, with hole sizes, string lengths and knots.
Choose the attachment by product, not by looks
The right attachment depends on what the tag hangs from. A sleeve, a jar lid and a gift ribbon each need a different method.
Start with the table, find your product type, then read the section for that attachment. Most brands end up using one or two methods across their range.
If you are not sure, think about who removes the tag. Tags that shoppers cut off can be fastened firmly, while tags staff swap often need a quick release.
Match the attachment to the tag style too. A rustic jute string on a glossy, foil-stamped tag sends mixed signals.
| Attachment | Best for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton string | Gifts, candles, apparel, jars | Soft, neutral, easy to tie |
| Jute string | Kraft tags, natural goods | Rough texture, thicker knot |
| Satin ribbon | Gift sets, premium bottles | Smooth, dressy, slips if not knotted well |
| Elastic loop | Jars, bottles, odd shapes | Stretches over lids, quick to apply |
| Plastic loop pin | Clothing, socks, soft goods | Fast with a tagging gun |
| Safety pin | Knitwear, delicate fabrics, events | No tagging gun, reusable |
| Metal grommet | Shipping and heavy-use tags | Reinforces the hole, stops tearing |
Getting the hole right first
Every attachment depends on the hole. Too small and the string will not pass; too large and the tag slides around or tears.
Cotton string and thin cord fit a 1/8 in hole. Jute, ribbon and elastic need about 3/16 in, and grommets usually take 3/16 in to 1/4 in.
Place the hole at least 0.25 in from the edge. For the sizing side of this, see our hang tag sizes guide, which covers hole placement on each shape.
Think about the attachment before artwork is final. Moving a hole after the proof is approved means a new cutting setup.
Holes on thick 24 pt or 32 pt tags look larger because the edge shows. A grommet tidies that edge and makes the hole look intentional.
String: cotton or jute, and how long
Cotton string is the all-rounder. It is soft, looks neat on most tags and ties a small knot.
Jute is rougher and thicker, with a natural look that suits kraft board. Its knot is bulkier, so allow a little more space above the text.
For a tag tied around a product, cut string about 8 to 12 in long. For a loop that hangs from a hook or button, 5 to 7 in is usually enough.
Trim the loose ends at an angle after tying. A clean cut frays less than a blunt one, especially on jute.
- Loop through a button or label: 5 to 7 in
- Tie around a jar neck: 8 to 10 in
- Tie around a gift box: 12 in or more
- Bow on a bottle neck: 14 to 18 in
Tying a tag with a lark's head knot
The lark's head knot is the fastest way to fix string to a tag. It needs no tying at the hole and lies flat against the card.
It also keeps the tag facing forward. A plain knot tied through the hole tends to twist the card so the back shows.
Practice on a few tags first. Once you have the motion, each tag takes a few seconds, and the loop is ready to slip over a button or neck.
- Fold the string in half to make a loop.
- Push the folded end through the tag hole from front to back.
- Pull about 1 in of loop through the hole.
- Pass both loose ends through that loop.
- Pull the ends gently until the knot sits snug against the hole.
- Tie the two loose ends together around the product.
Grommets for tags that take strain
A metal grommet, also called an eyelet, lines the hole with a small ring. It spreads the pull across a wider area, so the card does not tear.
Use grommets on tags that are pulled, carried or shipped. Heavy goods, outdoor items and parcels all benefit.
On thin stock, a grommet adds weight at the top. Pair grommets with 18 pt or heavier card so the tag still hangs straight.
Grommets also add a finished look on thick tags. For parcels, shipping tags with reinforced holes pair a grommet with thick stock.
Loop pins and safety pins for clothing
Plastic loop pins are applied with a tagging gun through a seam, label or care tab. They are fast and hard to remove by accident.
Always fire the pin through a label or seam allowance, never the main fabric. On silk, fine knits and lace, use a safety pin through the brand label instead.
Loop pins come in different lengths. A short pin keeps the tag tight to a sleeve, while a longer one lets it hang free on a hanger.
Safety pins are slower but reusable, and they leave no hole if placed carefully. Apparel brands weigh both options on clothing hang tags for apparel.
Elastic loops and ribbon for bottles and jars
Elastic loops are the quickest way to tag a jar or bottle. They stretch over the lid and grip the neck, whatever its shape.
Satin ribbon is slower but looks more like a gift. Tie it with a double knot, as satin slips more easily than string.
Leave ribbon tails of about 2 in after the knot. Shorter tails pull loose, and longer ones tangle with the tag.
For bottles, a necker with a stretch loop is often simpler than a tag and ribbon. See elastic loop bottle neckers for odd-shaped containers.
Attaching tags to gifts, boxes and baskets
Gift products give you the most freedom. The tag is part of the wrapping, so the attachment can be decorative.
Tie string or ribbon around the box both ways, like a parcel, and thread the tag on before the final knot. The tag then sits on top instead of sliding to the side.
For baskets and bags, loop the tag around a handle. A lark's head knot holds it in place without a second tie.
Round and circle tags suit this kind of use because they look right from any angle. Our round hang tags for gifts and baskets are often tied this way.
For gift boxes that ship, tuck the tag under the ribbon rather than leaving it loose. It arrives flat instead of creased.
Speeding up tagging at volume
Attaching tags is often slower than printing them. Small changes to the setup can halve the time per item.
Time one tag from start to finish, then multiply by the batch. That number tells you whether pre-attached strings are worth asking for.
The biggest saving is to have tags arrive ready to use. You can ask for strings, elastic loops or ribbons pre-attached when you send a quote request for strung tags.
- Order tags with string already attached
- Pre-cut string to one length before you start
- Batch the work: thread all tags, then tie them all
- Use a tagging gun for clothing instead of safety pins
- Set up a tray with tags facing the same way
Attachment mistakes that damage products or tags
Most problems come from using a strong attachment on a delicate product, or a weak one on a heavy product.
A loop pin fired through fine fabric leaves a hole. A thin string on a heavy tag snaps, and a tag on 14 pt stock with no grommet tears at the hole.
Before tagging a full batch, attach one tag and pull it gently. If the tag, string or product shows strain, change the method.
Pre-strung options such as paper hang tags with string remove guesswork, because the string and hole are matched before the tags ship.
Questions this guide answers
A pre-strung tag tied around the product, or a plastic loop pin on clothing. Both take a few seconds per item.
About 1/8 in for cotton string and 3/16 in for jute or ribbon. Grommets need 3/16 in to 1/4 in.
About 5 to 7 in for a loop and 8 to 12 in for tying around a product. Bows need more.
Yes. We can attach cotton or jute string, elastic loops or ribbon before shipping.
Go through the brand label, care tab or seam allowance. Use a safety pin on silk, lace and fine knits.
A knot made by pushing a folded loop through the hole and pulling the ends through it. It holds well and lies flat.
When the tag is pulled, carried or shipped. A grommet stops the hole from tearing.
An elastic loop over the lid is quickest. String or ribbon tied under the lid also works.
Cotton is softer and neater. Jute looks more natural and suits kraft tags.
Yes, if the hole is large enough, usually about 3/16 in. Tie satin ribbon with a double knot.
Yes, especially on knitwear and delicate fabric. They are slower than loop pins but do not need a gun.
Plastic loop pins are applied with a handheld tagging gun. Our tags ship flat and punched so they work with these tools.
Ready to print? Send your size and artwork for a free proof. Request a quote →