Most freelance graphic designers would have an area they specialise in. They will know typography and have design skills of course but everyone has stronger and weaker areas and will focus on the strengths. You might see someone who specialises more in illustration and another who likes to design menus. Someone else might advertise their logo designing skills. With this in mind there is no reason why you couldn't concentrate on hang tags.
For those that don't know a hang tag is, it is usually made from card or plastic and is tied to the garment or article for sale. This could be anything from a skirt to a suit, a handbag or even pregnancy clothes. It will generally be bright or attention grabbing as it is used as a marketing medium to make the sales item stand out. The logo will typically be on one side of the hang tag and on the other there will be additional information. There may be a barcode, size of the item, possibly a call to action such as 'like us on facebook' and contact details (website, email address etc). They may have a strapline or a company manifesto and information about the materials used.
What do I need to make my own designs?
Firstly you will need software and hardware. These items will likely come down to your personal preferences and budget. Ideally you will get a desktop as these are more powerful and easier to expand. However you may need the mobility of a laptop, especially if you want to visit clients to present your work. If your budget allows then consider investing in a desktop and a cheaper tablet that you can use purely for client visits.
For the software you are likely to already have your favourite programs in mind. If you are very new then you will want to consider getting Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. If you feel that your work may also include multipage documents then consider getting InDesign too.
Finding clients for your hang tags
You may be the best designer in the world but without any clients your hang tag design business is going to fail pretty quickly. As a freelancer you are probably not yet in the position to be offering your services to the big players just yet. You should approach small independent clothes shops and designers selling their clothing online. Build up a few clients and increase your portfolio this way.
Advertise yourself and your hang tags online
There are many sites where you can offer your talents such as Freelance, Fiverr, Etsy and even eBay. You can possibly use Shopify or make yourself a small website showcasing your work. Use social media to get your services heard. Facebook offers advertising services that will target specific areas and demographics.
You will need a business plan
It is not just enough to find the clients and create beautiful hang tags. You will need a business plan to make sure the business is profitable. Work out how long it is likely to take you to create a full range of hang tags for a client, how much you can charge them for this realistically and will this be enough to provide a living for you? Will you need to supplement your income with other design work or a part time role elsewhere.
Existing hang tag printers
You could search the internet for businesses that design hang tags and print them. Try approaching these to see if they need any freelancers. They may have too many orders and have a pipeline that needs clearing. This will give you extra contacts, work and help to build your portfolio. It is likely that a print shop like this may be printing for a high street brand and this will look good on your new website.
Learn retailer preferences
There are around three most commonly used sizes for hang tags that retailers prefer. It would be a good idea to check that a retailer that you will be supplying has no objections to your hang tag. They may have specific requirements like a perforated edge with the price on or sizing details or importantly they want a bar code on every item to make checkout and stock checking easier.
Think about who is buying the clothes or products
When you do receive a contract think about the clothes you will be helping to market. What retail environment will they be sold in? What type of customer are you trying to connect with and appeal to? Also think about what you would want on a hang tag. When you go shopping do you look for washing instructions or is the material the most important thing to you? Are you looking for organic products for instance? You want the hang tag to attract but also it is there as an aid to the potential customer. It is a very powerful selling tool when used correctly. It can pull a customer towards it in a retail environment in a way that online shops cannot.
Make a unique design
The majority of hang tags are rectangular and that is because they mostly work well that way. If your client has the budget and you have a great idea then try to sell that to them. When you design your custom hang tag perhaps try a shaped hang tag or one that is made of a different material such as cotton or hemp.
Summary
Hang tags are an extremely important part of the marketing process and draw potential customers in. They provide useful, interesting and sometimes essential information for the customer and retail worker alike. A good designer with the right contacts and portfolio could make a living designing nothing but hang tags but you would have to work hard to find clients and then retain them. If you were able to find a couple of big fish with constantly changing designs for different ranges then you may find this is all you need. Other designers may find they need to offer more services and widen their horizons. One thing is for sure hang tags are an important piece of design in the retail industry and are here to stay for the foreseeable future.
