Just about every company and manufacturing plant uses at least one kind of tags for labeling products, inventory and machinery. The pricing and costs of tags depends on the type of tag you are looking for and the material of the tag. Paper tags generally cost less than reusable plastic ones, but paper tags with carbon backing for copies are the most expensive of the paper tags.

When looking into the pricing and costs of tags, the important thing to keep in mind is how the tag is used. Take these ideas into consideration when weighing your purchase options:

1. Get up-to-the-minute product tracking by using inventory tags.

2. Keep employees safe with repair industrial label tags for broken down machines.

3. Build up revenue by advertising special product pricing using colorful sale tags.

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Stay up-to-date with your numbers using custom inventory tags

Inventory tags are some of the most common tags for packaging used in stores and warehouses. Businesses update their inventory constantly so it would be wise to order these tags in a cheaper material such as paper. Since you will most likely be using many of these tags, it is a good idea to purchase a large number of them at once. Not only will you get a quantity discount with some suppliers, but you will save on shipping costs as well.

I recommend: Look no further than Paper Mart when you are looking for inventory tags. Get a box of 500 for about $30.00. The Avery Dennison website is a great place to find inventory tags like these that will run you about $43.00 for 500.

Use repair tags for labeling those pieces of equipment that need repairing or replacing

Repair labels and tags are probably some of the most important tags your business will use. These tags alert your employees to the fact that a machine or elevator for example, is not safe to use because it is in need of repairs. These labeling tags are made of many different materials such as plastic or card stock and some come with a carbon backing that is great for making copies of the work order. The price depends not only on the material used to make the tag, but also on the amount of tags you purchase as many tag suppliers offer volume discounts.

I recommend: The emedco website has many kinds of repair tags for prices that range from around $52.00 up to about $79.00 for orders of 50-packs. Check out the Brady Worldwide website where you can find a large number of repair tags for about $14.00 to around $54.00 for packages of 100.

Take advantage of attention-grabbing sale tags to move your merchandise quickly

It doesn't matter if you have a sale once a year or every month, it pays to use bright sale tags that are noticeable. The fancier the labeling tags are, the more expensive they will be. That doesn't mean that your products will only sell if you use expensive tags. One surefire way to get the customer's attention is to use a different tag for each group of sale items. For example, mark those items that are 50% off with a different tag from those items that are 25% off. Mixing more expensive tags such as those that use many colors with other tags that use just one color will allow you to get more use out of the more expensive price tags.

I recommend: The Linton Company has sale tags in every price range from around $9.00 all the way up to $52.00 per 1,000. Find your way to the Deluxe Enterprise Operations website to buy unique sale tags that range in price from around $38.00 up to around $53.00 for 500.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many tag suppliers offer items such as custom inventory tags in case you have the need for personalized, company-specific labeling tags.

Tags are a necessity in nearly every business. Retailers need price tags and sale tags for price visibility and check-out efficiency. Manufacturing operations need industrial tags to identify equipment and materials. And all kinds of businesses require inventory tags to track merchandise and materials and asset tags to protect expensive equipment.

To find the right tags for your business, consider the following:

1. Retail tags include price tags, sale tags, merchandise tags, garment tags and furniture tags. String tags are one of the most common types of retail tags.
2. Industrial tags are usually wire tags with reinforced holes that provide extra durability.
3. Inventory tags often use sequential numbering to improve tracking.
4. Asset tags are typically rigid metal plates that are permanently affixed to computers and other office equipment to prevent theft.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get more out of retail tags

When put to work properly, simple price tags, such as string tags, become an important marketing tool. Sale tags can compare prices (regular vs. sale price, manufacturer vs. your price), convey quantity price breaks and draw attention to new merchandise, which can help your customers make the best buying choices. Additionally, when personalized with your store name and logo, custom price tags allow you to promote your brand and co-brand with the item itself.

I recommend: The St. Louis Tag Co. offers complete design and printing services to create and manufacture custom retail tags and boutique-style price tags. J&S Business Products offers preprinted price tags with separate areas for regular price and sale price. Sales Tags offers sale tags preprinted with retail messages like clearance, hold, marked down, discount and red tag sale.

Special retail tags for jewelry and gifts

Delicate items such as jewelry require very small price tags with good writing surfaces. If your merchandise is commonly bought as gifts, another option for price tags is custom gift cards that allow the giver to tear off the part containing the price, leaving a card with your store branding.

I recommend: XpressTags sells pre-strung sales tags with polished writing surfaces in nine sizes (the smallest of which is appropriate for jewelry) in several colors.  Nu-Era has two types of price tags designed especially for jewelry and watches. One is a string price tag in white, gold or silver that comes in three sizes. The other is a self-adhesive tag that folds in half over a ring, earring or bracelet. For gift tags, NEBS offers customized perforated retail gift tags that tear in half, allowing the giver to remove the price, leaving a beautiful linen gift card with your store branding.

Use industrial tags for manufacturing and warehouse operations

Industrial tags are usually wire tags designed to stand up to the tough conditions in manufacturing plants, warehouses, auto repair shops and other industrial environments.

I recommend: The St. Louis Tag Co. offers a good selection of industrial tags - wire tags with fiber patches, metal eyelets or both.

Improve inventory tracking with inventory tags

Numbered inventory tags come in a variety of styles, including one part, two part, three part and even weather-proof tags. The right inventory tags for you depend on the amount of information you need to track. Typical info that may appear on inventory tags includes the name of the item or material, unit, amount, unit price, size, remarks, date and more. Most inventory tags also include spaces where employees can fill in their name or initials in 'counted by' or 'checked by' boxes.

I recommend: Find a vast array of pre-printed or blank inventory tags at Linton Labels or MyAssetTag.com.

Protect computers and equipment with asset tags

Asset tags are small metal tags that can be affixed to company computers and other office equipment for identification and protection. In general, asset tags can be printed with your company logo, a barcode or a serial number.

I recommend: Suppliers of asset tags include Alliance Asset Tags, MyAssetTag.com or Datamation Systems.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Retailers should coordinate the use of sale tags with POS and inventory systems.
• •  Sale tags are available in a wide variety of colors, sizes and custom shapes. Choose colors and sizes that will draw attention to sale prices.
• •  Retail tags and inventory tags come in a variety of standard sizes, but can be customized to fit your needs.
• •  String tags may use knotted or looped string or twisted wire as a hanging method.

A labeling tag serves many purposes in all kinds of businesses. Whether you are in manufacturing or retail, chances are you use a number of different kinds of tags in your day-to-day business operations. Consider all of the different uses for these tags. You can keep track of the products in your warehouse with inventory tags or maybe you use sale tags when you need to clean your retail store out, in order to bring new products in. Whatever the reason, labels and tags are an invaluable resource for today’s businesses.

When you are looking to purchase new tags, the first step is to decide on the uses for the labeling tags you want to buy. Consider these tags basics when making your decision:

1. Be safe in all circumstances and use repair industrial label tags.

2. Close the deal with vibrant and bold sale tags.

3. Know your product numbers all of the time by using helpful inventory tags.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Keep your employees safe and sound with the right repair labeling tags

The safety of your employees is your first priority. Make sure you have clear, visible repair tags for labeling equipment that is in need of fixing. An added bonus is that some tags have space for additional information about the machine such as the type of repair and parts needed, the date of its last inspection and the name of the repair person involved.

I recommend: XpressTags sells a large number of repair labeling tags to use to keep your employees safe. Check out the Smart Resolution website to find the right repair tag for your machinery.

Make a profit by getting the customer's attention with bold price tags

When your business is having a sale, it is not always enough to just get the customers in the door. You also have to draw their attention to the particular products you are trying to sell. Using bright, eye-catching sale tags is the perfect way to get them over to the items you are trying to move out and get them interested in the purchase. It may also be a good idea to get labeling tags that are large enough to include the original price as well as the sale price so the customers know how much they are actually saving.

I recommend: One of the many tags for sale on ValuDisplay is this eye-catching sale tag that is sure to get the customer’s attention. Find the right sale tag at MFried.com. They have many unique tags to choose from.

Stay on top of your product numbers using inventory tags for packaging

Keeping close track of your inventory is one of the secrets to the success of a business. Making sure you never running out or run too low of a particular item will not only keep your business running smoothly, but it will make your customers happier as well. Using inventory tags is a great way to assist you in doing this. Easy-to-see labels and tags with specific product information will allow your employees to identify boxes and crates of product, therefore making sure your inventory numbers are as up-to-date as possible.

I recommend: Keep track of your inventory with one of the inventory tags from Uline Shipping Supplies. Use the Shelf Tag Supply website to purchase these carbonless two-part tags that are ideal for inventory management.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always keep plenty of labels and tags on hand so you never run out. This can lead to the creation of makeshift tags in the interim, which can lead to confusion and possibly injuries if it is a repair issue.

Tags are used as a way of pricing in the retail industry. They are used as identification tools in the industrial world, and as marketing tools in the business world. Because the use of tags varies so widely, so do the terms that are associated with them.

When it comes to protecting your assets or marketing your products, don't settle for tags you aren't sure will work. Learn a few basic terms so you can be assured you're choosing the right tags for your specific needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Key tag

A key tag is a tag usually made of heavy plastic or coated in plastic. The tag is used as a means of identification for things like shopping clubs, memberships to libraries or gyms. It is called a key tag because it is designed to fit on a key chain ring for easy access.

I recommend: Read the definition of key tag at My1Stop.com. The company has a good overview of different key tag options and uses.

Reinforcement

Reinforcement refers to the materials used to make the eyelet, or hole in a tag, less likely to tear. Types of reinforcement include fiber-reinforced eyelets and metal eyelets.

I recommend: Reinforcement is defined at St. Louis Tag. Both fiber and metal eyelet reinforcement is detailed on the website.

Legend plates

Legend plastes are metal tags used to mark switches, buttons and more. They can be used in industrial settings as well as office and commercial areas.

I recommend: Review the legend plate definition at Plastic Tags, and find out what type of legend plates would work for you.

Jewelry tag

The jewelry tag is usually a much smaller tag made of paper or plastic designed to mark the price of a small-sized object like a necklace or bracelet.

I recommend: Review the jewelry tag description at Nu-Era.com. The website shows examples of different tag options and sizes.

Asset tag

An asset tag is an identification piece used to permanently mark objects like machines, appliances and more. Asset tags are made of durable materials that resist wear and can be permanently attached to objects.

I recommend: Alliance Tag defines the different types of asset tags and their uses. The company sells tags that they guarantee won't wear or come off your important equipment.

Hang tag

Hang tag is a term associated with sales. The tag is basically used as a marketing tool and possibly pricing object. Tags can be made of plastic, paper or even metal.

I recommend: Small Business Informer defines the hang tag and explains how a retail store can benefit from its use.