Self-Tie Tags

Self-tie tags are particularly useful for items that are exposed to harsh conditions, have an irregular shape, or have surfaces that are dirty, wet, or greasy.

Here are some of the key industries that use self-tie tags:

• Horticulture - This is one of the most prominent industries using self-tie tags. They are used for labelling plants, trees, shrubs, and flowers in nurseries, garden centres, and farms. The tags are durable, weather-resistant, and able to withstand exposure to sunlight, rain, and soil without the print smudging or fading.

• Food Processing and Manufacturing - Self-tie tags are used for product identification and traceability in food production, particularly in meat packing, bakeries, and fisheries. They can be made from materials that are metal-detectable, ensuring that if a tag were to break off, it can be found by metal detectors, preventing it from ending up in the final product.

• Commercial Laundry - These tags are used to identify individual garments or bundles of laundry as they move through the cleaning process. The tags are designed to be heat-resistant, tear-proof, and chemical-resistant to withstand multiple cycles of washing, drying, and pressing.

• Recycling and Waste Management - Self-tie tags are used to identify bins, bags, and different types of waste materials. They are durable enough to withstand outdoor conditions and exposure to a variety of substances.

• Manufacturing and Logistics - In manufacturing, self-tie tags are used for tracking parts, raw materials, and finished goods, particularly on items with rough or greasy surfaces where a traditional adhesive label would fail. In logistics, they are used as baggage tags, tray and cage identifiers, and for asset tracking.

• Construction and Engineering - These tags are used for safety and inspection purposes on scaffolding, lifting equipment, and machinery. They are often used to indicate inspection status or to provide information about the equipment.

• Retail - They are often used as price tags or for product information on items that are not suitable for adhesive labels, such as jewellery, furniture, and certain clothing items.

Horticultural/Plant Tags

These are arguably the most common and recognisable form of self-tie tags.

• Description - Designed specifically for nurseries, garden centres, and farms. They are typically made from a durable, weather-resistant plastic like polypropylene or Tyvek.

• Key Features - Resistant to sunlight, water, and soil, and can be printed on with thermal transfer printers or written on by hand. They often come in a variety of colours to help with colour-coding plants or pricing.

Industrial/Inspection Tags

These tags are designed for demanding environments and often serve a critical safety or tracking function.

• Description - Used in construction, engineering, and manufacturing for equipment, machinery, cables, and scaffolding.

• Key Features - Made from robust, tear-resistant materials that can withstand grease, chemicals, and extreme temperatures. They are often brightly coloured (e.g., red, yellow, green) to easily indicate inspection status or safety warnings.

Metal-Detectable Tags

A specialised variant essential for the food and pharmaceutical industries.

• Description - These tags are made from a material that contains a metallic component, often a small metal core or foil.

• Key Features - If a tag accidentally breaks off and falls into a product, it can be detected by standard metal detection equipment on the production line, preventing contamination and ensuring consumer safety. They are also often resistant to high temperatures and washing cycles.

Laundry/Dry Cleaning Tags

These tags are engineered to survive the rigours of commercial cleaning.

• Description - Used to track garments and textiles in commercial laundries and dry cleaning businesses.

• Key Features - Made from a special material that is resistant to high heat, harsh chemicals, and water. They must remain readable after multiple wash, press, and steam cycles to ensure items are returned to the correct owner.

Perforated/Multi-Part Tags

A variant designed for applications requiring a tear-off portion.

• Description - These tags feature a perforation that allows a part of the tag to be easily torn off.

• Key Features - The larger part of the tag remains on the item for identification, while the smaller tear-off portion can be used as a receipt, proof of service, or a separate tracking number for internal records. They are commonly used in retail, service industries (e.g., repair shops), and logistics.