3 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Clothing Tags Strings: Fraying & Breakage
Lola, who runs a small linen clothing shop, had a (embarrassing) problem last summer: Half her Cardboard Clothing Tags fell off before customers even picked up the clothes. The thin, cheap string she used frayed at the knot, leaving tags scattered on the floor. “I thought ‘string is just string,’” she said. “I didn’t realize a bad string makes your brand look unprofessional.”
Clothing Tags strings are easy to overlook—but they’re the link between your tag and garment. Pick the wrong one, and you’ll deal with frayed ends, broken strings, or lost tags (which means customers can’t find sizes or prices). Below are the 3 biggest mistakes brands make with tag strings, plus how to fix them—with real stories from Lola and other shop owners, and where Kraft Paper Hang Tag, Double Hole Hang Tag, and more fit in.
Mistake: Choosing String That’s Too Thin (It Breaks Under Weight)
Thin string (under 1mm) might seem “discreet,” but it can’t handle even light Clothing Tags—like a Cardboard Hang Tag with a price sticker and size info. A men’s leather goods brand learned this when their 0.8mm cotton string snapped, dropping tags off leather jackets (which are heavy to hold, so customers noticed the missing tag fast).
Lola’s mistake was using 0.7mm polyester string for her linen dresses’ tags. After switching to 1.5mm cotton twill string, she hasn’t had a single broken string. “The thicker string doesn’t look bulky—linen is a thick fabric, so it matches,” she said. “And customers no longer ask, ‘Where’s the size tag?’”
Fix:
For lightweight Clothing Tags (e.g., small Kraft Paper Hang Tag for scarves): Use 1mm–1.2mm string.
For heavier Clothing Tags (e.g., Cardboard Hang Tag with multiple layers): Use 1.5mm–2mm string.
Avoid “thread-like” string—if it feels flimsy between your fingers, it will break.
Mistake: Ignoring Fabric vs. String Compatibility (Fraying Happens)
String material needs to match your tag’s material—otherwise, it frays or damages the Clothing Tags. For example, rough jute string frays the edges of thin Kraft Paper Hang Tag, while slippery satin string slides out of Cardboard Hang Tag holes (since cardboard is porous and can’t grip smooth string).
A kids’ clothing brand used jute string for their thin Kraft Paper Hang Tag—and the string’s rough fibers tore the tag’s edges. They switched to soft cotton string, and the fraying stopped. “Jute is great for thick tags, but not thin paper,” the owner said. “It’s like using sandpaper on tissue paper—bad combination.”
Fix:
Paper tags (Kraft, Cardboard): Use cotton or cotton-poly blend string (grips paper without fraying).
Plastic or leather tags: Use satin or polyester string (won’t scratch or slip).
Test compatibility: Tie the string to a sample tag and tug gently—if the tag frays or the string slips, switch.
Mistake: Mismatching String Length to Tag Holes (It’s Too Short or Too Long)
String that’s too short won’t loop through holes properly (especially Double Hole Hang Tag), and string that’s too long dangles awkwardly—both look unprofessional. A women’s dress brand used 4-inch string for their Double Hole Hang Tag (which needs at least 5 inches to loop through both holes and tie a knot)—they ended up with lopsided tags that fell off.
Lola used to cut string “by eye,” leading to some tags with 3-inch string (too short for her Single Hole Hang Tag) and some with 6-inch string (too long, so it wrapped around the dress’s button). Now she measures: 4 inches for Single Hole Hang Tag (enough to tie a small knot) and 5.5 inches for Double Hole Hang Tag (enough to loop through both holes and knot neatly).
Fix:
Single Hole Hang Tag: 4–4.5 inches of string (ties a tight, small knot).
Double Hole Hang Tag: 5–5.5 inches of string (loops through both holes without stretching).
Use a ruler to cut string in batches—no more “guesswork” lengths.
3 Quick Tips to Pick the Right String (No More Mistakes)
Buy sample packs first: Most suppliers sell 10-yard sample packs of different string types—test before buying 100+ yards.
Tie a “stress test” knot: Tie the string to a sample tag, hang a small weight (like a key) from it for 24 hours—if it holds, it’s good.
Match string color to tags: Neutral string (white, natural beige) works for most tags, but brand-colored string (e.g., your logo’s blue) adds a polished touch (just make sure it doesn’t clash with the tag).
Wrapping Up
Lola now keeps a jar of 1.5mm cotton string by her tagging station and measures each piece with a small ruler. “The string is still a small detail, but it makes a big difference,” she said. “Customers no longer see scattered tags on the floor—and that makes our shop look put-together.”
Choosing clothing tag strings isn’t about “picking the cheapest option”—it’s about picking one that’s strong enough, compatible with your tag, and the right length. Whether you’re using a Single Hole Hang Tag for a scarf or a Double Hole Hang Tag for a jacket, the string keeps your tag (and brand) visible.
Next time you order string, grab a sample tag and test it first. Your tags (and your shop’s professionalism) will thank you.
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