Industrial labels with no adhesive
Industrial hang tags
On pallets, coils, metal profiles or bales, adhesive can work technically, but it is not always the most practical: moving surfaces, labels that are changed frequently, or geometries where sticking does not give good results. The hang tag is fixed with a cable tie, wire, hook or through-bolt. No adhesive, no surface preparation, no risk of lifting off through handling.
Also known as tie-on tags, identification tags or non-adhesive labels. The name varies by sector, but the function is the same: identify without needing to stick to the product.
Use
Warehouse, outdoor and food
Fixing
Hook / Cable tie / Wire / Bolt
Printing
Thermal transfer and laser
Adhesive
No adhesive
Common applications
- Identification of coils, bales and pallets in warehousing and dispatch.
- Traceability of profiles, bars and steel material.
- Batch and weight control in production and short-cycle logistics.
- Identification of material in international transit with variable temperature and humidity conditions.
Fixing methods
Hooks, plastic cable tie, bolts or wire. The choice depends on the type of load, the environment and whether the label needs to be replaceable or is permanent.
General use · no heat
- Polyester (PET): rigid, waterproof film for laser and thermal transfer printing.
- Polyethylene (PE): highly tear-resistant, resists water and is suitable for food contact.
- Synthetic polypropylene: for outdoor use and humidity, with a matt finish on both sides.
Does the part go through an oven?
For ovens, galvanising and heat treatments there are specific hang tags, from 200 to 500 °C.
See high-temperature labels →Selection criteria
When to choose a hang tag and when not to
The hang tag solves the cases where adhesive is not the most practical option or where the label needs to be replaceable without leaving a mark on the product.
When to choose it
- Dusty, greasy, rough or rusty surfaces where sticking is not the most practical or reliable option.
- Products that change hands and need the label replaced without damaging the surface.
- Large loads (coils, bales, pallets, profiles) where a self-adhesive label does not cover well.
- Identification during international transit with variable temperature and humidity conditions.
When it is not the right choice
- Smooth, clean surfaces where a self-adhesive label applies quickly and reliably.
- Automated application on a production line (self-adhesive is more compatible with dispensers).
- Very small formats where the hanging hole takes up a significant proportion of the print area.
Recommended alternative
If the part goes through an oven, a galvanising bath or a heat treatment, you need a high-temperature hang tag, from 200 to 500 °C.
See high-temperature labels →Application sectors
Where hang tags are used
Any sector that moves bulk product, in coils, profiles or bales finds a reliable identification solution in the hang tag.
Sector
Wood and derivatives
Identification of boards, beams, pallets and wood packages. On porous surfaces or with sawdust, the hang tag is a common choice when adhesive is best avoided or when the label needs to be replaceable during the process.
See wood sector →Sector
Metals and steel
Labelling of profiles (UPN, IPN, HEA), bars, rebar, wire and steel coils. Oxidised or untreated metal surfaces mean adhesive is not always the most practical option: the hang tag is the usual solution.
See metals sector →Sector
Manufacturing and industry
Production control, manufacturing orders and batch tracking on the shop floor. The hang tag attaches to mesh, strapping or the product's handle with no need for adhesive.
See all sectors →General use · no heat
Hang tags for warehouses, outdoor use and food
Most hang tags never go through an oven: they identify pallets, coils, profiles, sacks or food product, on the shop floor, in the yard or in transit, or mark a locked-out piece of equipment. What is asked of them is that they do not tear when handled, that the code can still be read and, if they are outdoors, that they withstand rain.
Ref. 748
Polyester (PET)
- 125 µm polyester film with no adhesive and a print coating on both sides
- Laser printing on sheets or thermal transfer on rolls
- Rigid and waterproof, with high dimensional stability
- If the part goes through a curing oven, it withstands up to 180 °C
Ref. 747 · 749
Polyethylene (PE)
- Opaque white high-density polyethylene (HDPE) film: 150 µm (Ref. 747) or 200 µm (Ref. 749)
- Very resistant to tearing and water; works from −40 to +100 °C
- Suitable for direct food contact, with its declaration of conformity
- Thermal transfer with wax-resin ribbon; not compatible with laser
Ref. 746
Synthetic polypropylene
- Polypropylene synthetic paper, opaque white and matt on both sides, from 100 to 250 µm
- Excellent outdoor durability and moisture resistance, according to its technical data sheet
- Thermal transfer, offset, flexography and screen printing
- Product stored in the yard, horticulture and luggage tags
LOTO safety
Lockout tags
- PVC warning tags that hang from the lockout device
- They show who has locked out the equipment and who may remove the lock
- Custom identification tag, card size
- ABS tag holders for scaffolding
Heat processes
Does the part go through an oven?
In ovens, galvanising and heat treatments, the hang tag has to be made of a specific material: laminated KPK withstands up to 350 °C and polyimide up to 500 °C. We explain them, together with the adhesive labels that withstand heat, on the high-temperature page.
Fixing methods
How the label is fixed to the product
With no adhesive, the hang tag attaches to the product using different systems depending on the type of load, the lifecycle and the required level of security. Which hole each system needs is explained in the guide to hang tags with a hole.
| Method | Typical use | Main advantage | Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
Hooks | Coils, profiles and parts with an accessible hole or slot | Fast installation and removal with no tools | Requires a hole or attachment point on the product |
Plastic cable tie | Profiles, coils, equipment, pallets and large loads | Greater mechanical strength, does not come undone | Requires cutters to remove |
Thin wire | Metal profiles, rebar, steel material | High resistance to tension and weight | May mark or scratch delicate surfaces |
Bolts | Machinery, industrial equipment and long-life assets | Permanent fixing, resistant to vibration | Requires a weld stud or a threaded point on the support |
Supply formats
How hang tags are supplied
The supply format determines how the label fits into the printing and application process. Three options depending on the printing system and the volume.
Fanfolded
Labels folded in a zig-zag for manual or semi-automatic feeding. Easy to use with thermal transfer printers. Ideal for medium volumes with variable data.
- Compatible with TT printers
- Easy handling on the shop floor
- Variable data per label
In rolls
Standard format for thermal transfer printers. Allows variable printing of batch, weight or barcode at the time of application.
- High print speed
- Integration with ERP / WMS
- Low cost per unit in volume
Die-cut loose sheets
Labels in A4 or a custom sheet size, for laser printing with variable or fixed data. Suited to short runs or processes with no TT printer available.
- Compatible with industrial laser printing
- Specific materials: KPK 842 and polyester 748
- Short runs and orders with variable design
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about industrial hang tags
What is the difference between a hang tag and a self-adhesive label?+
A hang tag has no adhesive: it is fixed to the product with hooks, a cable tie, bolts or wire passed through a hole or around strapping. It is the right solution when adhesive is not the most practical option (dust, grease, irregular texture, moving surfaces or labels that are replaced frequently), when the product changes hands and the label needs to be replaceable, or when you need to hang information from a coil, a pallet or a bale.
What hang tag material is best for outdoor or humid environments?+
For outdoor use, synthetic polypropylene (Ref. 746): its technical data sheet gives it excellent outdoor durability and moisture resistance. Polyethylene (Ref. 747 and 749) withstands water and works from −40 to +100 °C, and polyester (Ref. 748) is waterproof and withstands up to 180 °C. The choice depends on exposure, on how it is printed (polyethylene does not accept laser) and on the type of fixing.
Can barcodes or QR codes be printed on hang tags?+
Yes. Hang tags are fully compatible with printing 1D barcodes (Code 128, EAN) and 2D codes (QR, DataMatrix). To support scanner readability we recommend a matt surface and enough contrast between background and code.
What formats are hang tags supplied in?+
They are supplied fanfolded (zig-zag) for manual or semi-automatic feeding, in rolls for a thermal transfer printer, or as die-cut loose sheets for laser printing with materials such as KPK 842 or polyester 748.
Do hang tags support variable printing with batch, weight or destination data?+
Yes. With a thermal transfer printer connected to your management system, each label can be printed with variable data: batch number, weight, reference, destination or a unique barcode. It is the usual way of working in logistics and warehousing.
What is the minimum order quantity?+
We work with both short runs and large-volume production. The minimum quantity depends on the format, the material and whether the label carries pre-printed fixed content. Ask us about your case.
Can you send samples before production?+
Yes. We send samples of the material and the format so you can validate the print, the resistance and the fixing method before committing to a full run.
Can they be printed with my usual label printer?+
It depends on the format. Labels in roll or fanfolded form are compatible with standard thermal transfer printers. Loose sheets are printed with a laser printer. Tell us your equipment and we will confirm compatibility.
Which hang tag should I choose if I print with a laser printer?+
Polyester (Ref. 748), in sheets, or laminated KPK if the part is going to pass through an oven. Polyethylene (Ref. 747 and 749) does not accept laser: it is printed by thermal transfer with a wax-resin ribbon, like synthetic polypropylene.
Full catalogue
All available materials
Polyester, polypropylene, direct thermal, coated paper, security and special solutions. Properties, adhesives and comparison.
See materialsApplications by sector
Labels for your industry
Automotive, chemicals, food, logistics, electronics and more. Conditions, recommended materials and technical criteria by sector.
Explore sectorsTechnical documentation
Materials technical data sheets
See the technical data sheets for the materials available for hang tags: specifications, grammage and resistance.
See technical data sheetsContact
Need hang tags for your process?
Tell us the type of surface, the fixing method and the environment. We will guide you to the most suitable material and format from the first contact.
- No-obligation technical advice.
- Response within 24 hours.
- Material samples when the project requires it.