Custom Silk Hang Tags with a Smooth Soft-Touch Feel

What silk lamination actually is

Silk is the everyday name for soft-touch lamination. It is a thin film bonded over the printed card, and it gives the surface a smooth, slightly velvety texture.

It is a finish, not a fabric. The tag is still cardstock underneath, so it hangs and cuts like any other paper tag.

The film has a low sheen, close to matte. Light spreads across it instead of bouncing back, so the tag reads well under bright store lights.

Most people notice silk tags by touch first. A shopper picks the item up, feels the tag, and senses quality before they read a word.

The film also adds a little stiffness and protects the print from light rubbing on the shop floor.

How silk compares with matte and gloss

All three laminations protect the print. They differ in feel, sheen and how they treat color.

If you are weighing all the options, our guide to tag paper and finishes compares stocks too.

Ask for a quote on two laminations if you are torn. Your quote lists each option on its own line, so you can compare them side by side before you commit to a full run.

Colors under a soft-touch film

Soft-touch film slightly softens and deepens printed color. Blacks look richer and navy looks almost inky.

Bright, saturated colors can look a touch calmer than they would under gloss. Neon-style designs often suit gloss better.

If your brand color must match a set reference, print it in Pantone. Our designers flag colors that may shift on the proof, so you can decide with your eyes open.

Pale pastel backgrounds look elegant under silk. They pick up a gentle, chalky softness that photographs well.

If the match is critical, send us the Pantone number with your artwork. We note on the proof how that color is likely to sit under the film.

Pairing silk with foil and spot UV

Silk is the favorite base for foil stamping. A gold or silver logo on a dark soft-touch face gives the strongest contrast of any combination we print.

Spot UV adds a glossy, raised layer over just the logo or a pattern. Against the soft finish, it creates a feel contrast you notice with a fingertip.

Embossing and debossing also work well. The soft film wraps over the raised or pressed area, so the shape looks smooth and finished.

Keep the extra effects to one or two elements. The soft background does most of the work.

A warm-toned foil looks especially rich on silk. It suits skincare and candle brands that use earthy or blush colors in their packaging.

Choosing thickness and shape

Silk feels best on heavier stock. At 24 pt or 32 pt, the tag has a solid, card-like weight that matches the finish.

The 32 pt option is double-layered, which allows edge painting. A colored edge on a black silk tag is a detail buyers remember.

Shape is open. Rounded corners keep the soft feel going to the very edge, and our rounded corner hang tag styles are a common pairing.

At 16 pt or 18 pt, silk still feels pleasant but lighter. That suits small tags on lingerie, scarves and other light pieces.

Attachments that match the finish

A satin ribbon through a silk tag looks deliberate and polished. Cotton string gives a softer, more relaxed look.

On heavier tags, a metal grommet keeps the hole crisp and stops the film from lifting at the edge of the punch.

Safety pins suit knitwear and delicate fabrics. For more ideas, read about attaching hang tags without damage.

Pick a ribbon or string color from your print. A black silk tag on a black satin ribbon looks calm, while a contrast ribbon draws the eye.

Caring for silk tags before they go on stock

Keep tags in their carton until you need them. Stacked flat, the soft-touch faces protect each other.

Avoid rubber bands around bundles, as they can mark the film. Clean, dry hands also help on very dark designs.

If you tag stock in batches, count out what you need for the day rather than leaving open stacks on the bench.

Soft-touch film can pick up oily marks from lotions or hand cream. If your team works with skincare products, wipe hands before handling dark tags.

Delivery and our print promise

We wrap stacks of soft-touch tags with protective sheets between them, then send the carton at no charge to the US, UK, Canada or Australia. It is in transit for 2 to 3 business days.

If a tag arrives with a printing fault or shipping damage, report it within 10 days. Our reprint and refund terms explain what happens next.

Planning a launch or a holiday gift range? Leave a little time in the schedule for a second proof round if you are testing foil colors.