What Is a Tagging Gun and How Does It Work?
A tagging gun (also called a tag gun, garment tagger, or kimble gun) is a handheld tool used to attach plastic fasteners - known as tag attachments, kimbles, or barbs - through fabric or packaging. You thread a fastener strip into the gun, push the needle through the material, and squeeze the trigger to fire and lock the fastener in place. A swing tag or price card attached to the fastener stays securely in place without damaging the item.
Tagging guns are used across clothing retail, fashion wholesale, market trading, and charity shops - anywhere that needs to attach tags to garments quickly and consistently.
Regular vs Fine Tagging Guns - Which Do You Need?
The most important choice when buying a tagging gun is needle size - regular or fine. Getting this right matters because the two types use different needles, different tag attachments, and are not interchangeable.
Regular Tagging Guns
Regular tagging guns use a standard-gauge needle, suited to heavier fabrics like denim, knitwear, outerwear, and woven garments. The needle is wider so it creates a slightly larger hole, but it handles thick or layered materials without resistance. Our regular options include the Motex Tagging Gun - Regular, the Arrow CM-5s Regular Tagging Gun, and the Arobee Extra Tagging Gun - Regular.
Fine Tagging Guns
Fine tagging guns use a thinner needle designed for delicate or lightweight fabrics - silk, chiffon, fine jersey, lingerie, and hosiery. The finer needle leaves a much smaller hole, reducing the risk of snags or damage. Our fine options include the Motex Tagging Gun - Fine and the Arrow CM-9X Fine Tagging Gun.
If you regularly tag both heavy and delicate items, it is worth keeping one of each type in stock.
Tagging Gun Starter Packs
If you are buying a tagging gun for the first time, a starter pack is the easiest way to get everything you need in one order. Our starter packs include the gun, a set of replacement needles, and a supply of plastic tag attachments - ready to use straight away.
- Motex Tagging Gun Starter Pack - Regular
- Motex Tagging Gun Large Starter Pack - Regular
- Motex Tagging Gun Starter Pack - Fine
- Motex Tagging Gun Large Starter Pack - Fine
- Arrow CM-5s Regular Tagging Gun Starter Pack
- Arrow CM-9X Fine Tagging Gun Starter Pack
Tag Attachments and Fasteners
Tag attachments are the plastic fasteners fired through the fabric by the tagging gun. They come in different lengths - typically 15mm, 25mm, 35mm, and 50mm - with shorter lengths used for lightweight items and longer lengths for bulkier garments or where more swing room is needed.
- Motex Tags - Regular - compatible with the Motex Regular gun, Arrow CM-5s, and Avery Dennison Mark III and GP regular guns
- Motex Tags - Fine - for use with the Motex Fine gun, available in 15mm, 25mm, 35mm, and 50mm lengths
- Kimble Hook Tags - Regular - hook-style fasteners compatible with Motex, Arrow, and Avery Dennison tagging guns
- Non Beaded Security Loops - tool-free fasteners for use with luggage, belts, glasses, and shoes
Tagging Cards
Tagging cards are the plain white swing tickets attached to garments via the plastic fastener. They provide a surface for handwritten or printed price information and product details. We stock strung tagging cards in a range of sizes, all compatible with both the Motex Fine and Regular tagging guns:
- E001 - 20 x 8mm
- E21 - 24 x 15mm
- E22 - 29 x 20mm
- E23 - 32 x 22mm
- E24 - 37 x 24mm
- E25 - 45 x 28mm
- E26 - 48 x 32mm
- E27 - 55 x 37mm
- E29 - 73 x 45mm
- E31 - 84 x 52mm
- PL55 Tagging Cards - 2,000 pack
Replacement Needles
Needles blunt with regular use and should be replaced when resistance increases or the gun starts to snag fabric. We stock replacement needles for all the guns we carry - always make sure you order the correct needle type for your gun (regular and fine needles are not interchangeable):
- Replacement Needle - Regular (5 pack) - for Motex Regular, Avery Dennison Mark III, and GP regular guns
- Replacement Needle - Fine (5 pack) - for the Motex Fine tagging gun
- Tagging Gun Needles - Arrow (5 pack) - for Arrow CM-5s regular guns
- Tagging Gun Fine Needles - Arrow (5 pack) - for Arrow CM-9X fine guns
Also in Retail Supplies
If you are equipping a retail environment, you may also need till rolls, cash register ink ribbons, retail security products, or shop equipment. For product pricing rather than garment tagging, see our full range of price guns and price gun labels.