Clothing Price Tickets: How They Differ From Hang Tags, Materials and Selection

A clothing price ticket is the label that works alongside the hang tag at retail, carrying the price, barcode, size and SKU data. Brands often treat price tickets and hang tags as one and the same, then pick the wrong material, misprint the barcode, or get stuck in the retail system at returns. This guide covers price ticket types, materials, sizes, printing and attachment so you choose correctly the first time.

Whether you supply department stores and chains or ship your own e-commerce orders, price tickets feed straight into checkout, inventory and loss prevention. Clarify the purpose first, then set the specs, so a sample that merely looks close enough does not lead you astray.

1. How Price Tickets Differ From Hang Tags

They often hang on the same garment, but their roles are different. The hang tag is a brand marketing vehicle: thicker stock, larger area, used to tell the brand story and drive QR scans. The price ticket is a transaction and data carrier: smaller, thinner, information-dense, built around price and barcode.

• Hang tag: brand- and design-led, heavier finishing (foil, lamination, die-cut), relatively flexible MOQ
• Price ticket: price- and barcode-led, accuracy first, the barcode must scan cleanly
• Sourcing: the two can be bought separately or as one package; keep colour, size and attachment consistent

2. Common Price Ticket Types and Materials

Paper is graded by weight, and price tickets usually run 200–300 gsm. Synthetic paper is tear-resistant and waterproof, ideal for swimwear, outdoor and long-hanging items. Thermal paper can be printed directly at low cost, but plan for scratch, oil and fade resistance.

3. Sizes, Barcodes and Information Layout

Price tickets are usually smaller than hang tags: common narrow strips run around 20×50 mm and 25×60 mm, with square or round versions too. The barcode is the critical element: allow a sufficient quiet zone (about 2.5 mm or more on each side) and enough height, or checkout scanning will fail.

• Barcode grade: aim for ANSI grade C or better after printing for reliable checkout
• Contrast and substrate: dark bars on a light background, avoid reflective or textured surfaces
• Hierarchy: price, size, SKU, then origin or composition in the order retail requires

4. Printing and Finishing

• Digital printing: ideal for variable data, such as small orders where each price or SKU differs
• Offset printing: fixed-content bulk orders, with more stable colour and a lower unit price
• Finishing: matte film or synthetic stock cuts glare; foil and spot UV are used on brand-forward tickets

5. Hang or Stick: Choosing the Attachment

• Tag gun / plastic fastener: suits knitwear, denim and wovens with holes; secure and low cost
• Self-adhesive: for fabrics with no holes or that should not be punched, such as underwear, hosiery and bodywear
• Clip / string: for temporary display or where the ticket must detach and be recovered

The wrong attachment not only looks bad; it can snag, leave holes or damage the fabric, leading to returns and claims. For skin-contact or snag-prone items, prefer self-adhesive or soft string.

6. MOQ, Sampling and Inspection Checklist

• MOQ depends on material and process; paper tickets typically start in the low thousands, with adhesive and thermal options more flexible
• Sampling takes 3–7 days: verify barcode scanability, registration accuracy and rub resistance
• Bulk inspection: barcode grade, colour consistency, die-cut size, and adhesive or fastener strength