Explore Swing Tag Finishes & Attachments
Protective Lamination
Compare surface appearance, handling and writability before adding a film to one or both printed sides.
Luxury Finishes
Use contrast selectively. Foil, raised or recessed detail and gloss accents work best when the highlighted area is deliberate.
Shaping & Perforation
Cutting and tear lines affect structure, safe areas and information placement, so they must be planned before final artwork.
Attachments & Stringing
Match hole, reinforcement and attachment choices to the product, tag weight, presentation and method of removal.
Select the effect and its production role
Use lamination when surface behaviour is the central requirement; foil or Spot UV when a controlled area needs contrast; embossing or debossing when relief is important; die-cutting when silhouette supports recognition; and perforation when part of the tag must detach. Combining effects can introduce registration, fold and material constraints, so prioritise the feature that matters most.
Special finishes normally need clearly identified production artwork rather than a visual mock-up alone. Check the artwork guide and the specific finish guide for file preparation, safe-area and coverage considerations.
Which finish solves which problem
| If the problem is | Use | Bear in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Tags scuff or show fingerprints on the rail | Matt lamination | A laminated face can no longer be written on with a pen |
| Colours look flat on a premium product | Gloss lamination | Gloss shows glare under shop lighting; check barcodes still scan |
| The logo needs to catch the eye without more colour | Hot foil | Foil needs its own artwork layer and fine detail can fill in |
| The brand should be felt as well as seen | Embossing or debossing | Relief shows on the reverse, so keep the back clear behind it |
| One area should shine against a matt surface | Spot UV | Works best over matt lamination, as contrast |
| Part of the tag must come off | Perforation | Keep essential information off the tear-off section |
| Information must be on both faces | Printing on the front and back | Plan the reverse around the hole and any embossing |
What each finish and attachment costs
Lamination and back-printing scale the price of every tag; foil and embossing add a small amount per tag plus a one-off setup for the plate; eyelets and strings are fitted per tag. Prices are for 250 85 × 55mm tags printed full colour on one side (£68.00 as standard), all-inclusive with free UK delivery; each row changes only what it names.
| Option | 250 tags | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Front and back | £85.00 | +£17.00 |
| Matt lamination | £81.60 | +£13.60 |
| Gloss lamination | £81.60 | +£13.60 |
| Gold foil | £123.00 | +£55.00, including a £45.00 one-off setup |
| Embossing (raised) | £120.50 | +£52.50, including a £45.00 one-off setup |
| Debossing (pressed in) | £120.50 | +£52.50, including a £45.00 one-off setup |
| Silver metal eyelet | £78.00 | +£10.00 |
| Black lock string | £78.00 | +£10.00 |
| Black elastic loop | £80.50 | +£12.50 |
| Rope string | £88.00 | +£20.00 |
Decision context
Select a finish for a defined visual or handling job
A finish changes the printed surface or creates a separate production effect. Lamination can alter feel and scuff behaviour; foil creates an opaque reflective element; Spot UV adds local gloss; embossing or debossing changes relief. Eyelets and strings are attachments, although they contribute to the finished presentation.
Start with the base material and artwork. Fine foil, raised varnish and relief need suitable line weights and clear vector separations. Strong texture, dark stock, folds and small type can limit the result. A finish cannot make an unsuitable card, cramped layout or weak information hierarchy function correctly.
Use emphasis selectively. One controlled focal treatment is often easier to read and reproduce than several competing effects. Consider both sides of the tag, the drill hole and how areas are handled, folded or scanned. Keep barcodes and QR codes on stable, high-contrast, non-reflective areas.
Ask for a relevant physical example when gloss, tactility, opacity or metallic colour is important. Record the named finish, coverage, position and compatible stock in the brief, and provide a production layer in the artwork. Additional processes also need to be included in the approval and delivery schedule.
Add finishes to your tags
You can add lamination, foil, and strings directly in our quote configurator.
Configure Tags