Custom Hem Tags for Clothing.

Here at Fifth Column, printed t-shirts and customised clothing are our thing, what we’ve been doing for many years. However, these days, there is plenty more to screen printing quality branded apparel than the craft itself. That’s to say, seemingly small extras that have a big impact on the finished article. And the humble hem tag is one of those little additions that brings a unique appeal to your branded tee or embroidered hoodie. In this article, we’ll examine the ins and outs of custom hem tags for t-shirts and clothing. By the way, this falls under our range of garment finishing services.

What is a Hem Tag and why have one?

Before going too much further we ought to explain what we actually mean by hem tags (they’re sometimes referred to as tabbies or sleeve tags). In essence, we’re talking about an external label. Comparatively small and discrete, they are normally a folded piece of material adorned with a logo or insignia. Which is then stitched to one of the hemmed areas of the garment. All fairly straightforward and easy to understand. But hem tags can have an impact far beyond their size and simplicity. That is, they add a certain chic to a garment, an almost indefinable up-market feel. Below, we’ll explore hem tag sizes, design and locations in more detail.

Where to Use Hem Tags on T-Shirts and Clothing.

Now then, this is one of those frequently questions. Where do you put a hem tag? And, as with many things in life, location can be important. It’s also largely down to your preference and how location fits into your design concept. Here are some popular places to stitch a hem tag label.

• At the bottom hem of the garment – left or right side.
• On the sleeve – particularly common with short-sleeve shirts.
• On a pocket – for example, a t-shirt or hoodie.
• The cuff of a beanie hat.

Of course, there other places where a hem tag can work, For example, on the edge of the hood with hooded apparel. Or the side seam of a piece of clothing. Maybe even at the collar area on the neckline of t-shirts. Although, extra care may be needed with neck labels in order to avoid any possible ‘scratchiness’ with stitching or the material of the label itself. The neck being a sensitive part of the body. On the whole, hem tag attachment is fairly open to adaptation. Although, it’s worth bearing mind that location can sometimes depend on the style of the garment and how it’s constructed.

Design Tips for Custom Hem Tags.

Clearly, there are design considerations when dealing with the small spaces that are allowed with hem tagging. Plus, you have to remember that this type of label is often woven which in itself imposes limitations. In terms of the space available, the best hem tags for clothing tend to be quite bold and relatively simple in nature. Mainly because anything too complex either isn’t achievable or loses too much detail. As a consequence, more often than not, hem tag designs are simply short names or logos.

Colour Guidance.

Think limited colour combinations for this aspect. Going beyond four colours isn’t usually possible. In general, customers choose one or two stitch colours that are compatible with the base colour of the label. Which in turn needs to suit the shade of shirt. Whether that be contrasting or tonal. Naturally, all of it may simple be an echo of your branding palette. Beyond this, there are some other ideas that should be avoided when you’re thinking about tags:

• As mentioned, overly complex artwork.
• Gradual colour blends/gradients.
• Photos.
• Lots of colours.

It’s worth noting that hem labelling can be part of the garment design concept with some retail clothing. As such, it’s included in the manufacturing process. And it’s not always feasible to precisely replicate such results when adding it to plain clothing which is made for decoration.

Prices and Quantities with Hem Tags.

The cost of hem tags is similar to many other aspects of custom merchandise. That’s to say, it will vary according to the specific requirements of each project. The actual cost of the tag can be as little as a few pence depending on design and quantity. But on top of that, there is also a charge for attachment to each shirt. It’s often preferable for you to provide your own tags. Even in this instance, we may be able to offer advice or suggest a reputable hem tag supplier.

Hopefully, the above sheds more light on the topic of hem tags. As always, your print and embroidery partner will be happy to clarify anything at the time of order. There’s no doubt that this is an increasingly popular feature with customised shirts and clothing. Which is hardly surprising because it’s a small on-trend touch that brings a high-end feel.