Retail Display and Bagged Products
Retail Bag Toppers
Used to close and brand clear bags or sleeves. The folded card provides a rigid top edge that keeps the bag flat and presentable on a retail peg hook.
Hardware and Parts Packaging
Provides a printable surface for barcodes, part numbers, and instructions while allowing small, heavy items to be hung securely. The board grade must be matched to the weight of the hardware to prevent tearing at the peg hole.
Apparel and Accessories
Often used for lightweight items like socks, gloves, or scarves. The paperboard header provides a clean branding area without adding unnecessary bulk to the display.
Craft and Hobby Supplies
Keeps small loose items organized in bags while offering enough space for product details and branding on the front and back panels.
Retail Channels and Kitting Operations
Manual Kitting and Assembly
Header cards are shipped flat and take up minimal space on a packing bench. Operators fold the card over the filled bag and apply a fastener in one motion, making it highly efficient for manual kitting lines.
Retail Merchandising
Designed specifically for pegboard and slatwall displays. The connecting slit allows store staff to stock and organize products quickly without bending the paperboard.
Promotional Kitting
Allows brands to add custom graphics and promotional messaging to generic bagged products without printing directly on the bag material.
Evaluating Different Header Styles
Euro-Hole or Custom Peg Requirements
If the retail environment requires a wide Euro-hole instead of a standard round peg hole, the central cutout and slit can be modified, or a different template can be evaluated.
Heavy Items Requiring Full Enclosures
If the product is too heavy for a bagged display or requires more physical protection, a folding carton with a built-in hang tab may be a safer choice than a simple header card.
Fastening, Board Choice, and Hole Placement
Fastening Method and Bag Attachment
The card does not lock itself. You must decide how it will be secured to the bag. Common methods include staples through the secondary holes, tagging fasteners, double-sided tape, or a heat-seal coating applied to the board.
Board Stiffness and Hanging Weight
The entire weight of the product hangs from the top edge of the primary hole. Heavier items require thicker board or reinforced materials to prevent the card from tearing on the retail shelf.
Fold Direction and Ink Cracking
Because the card folds 180 degrees back on itself, the paperboard grain should run parallel to the crease. This minimizes the risk of the board or printed ink cracking along the top edge.
Print Layout and Coating
Since the blank folds in half, both the front and back of the final header are printed on the same side of the flat sheet. If the inside of the card needs to be visible, two-sided printing is required.
Adjusting the Header Card Dimensions
Peg Hole and Fastener Hole Adjustments
The diameter of the primary hanging hole and the secondary fastener holes can be adjusted to match specific retail hooks or assembly tools. The vertical placement of the holes can also be shifted to accommodate different bag overlaps.
Front and Back Panel Lengths
The front and back panels are typically symmetric, but the length of one panel can be extended if more branding space is needed on the front or back of the package.
Corner Profile Adjustments
The outer corners feature a rounded fillet radius. This radius can be increased for a softer look or reduced for a sharper, more rectangular profile.
Packing details
Protective Coatings for Retail Handling
A protective coating is often recommended to prevent scuffing during transit and retail handling, especially for headers with dark or heavy ink coverage.
Additional notes
Print surface and layout
Because the card folds over, the front and back retail faces are printed on the same side of the flat paperboard sheet. The inside remains unprinted unless two-sided printing is specified.
Related Retail Components
FAQs
How does the header card stay closed?
The card relies on an external fastener. Common methods include stapling through the bottom edge, using a tagging fastener through the secondary holes, applying double-sided tape, or using a heat-sealable coating to bond the card to the bag.
What are the smaller holes near the bottom for?
The secondary holes align perfectly when the card is folded. They act as a guide or pass-through for a staple or tagging fastener, ensuring the closure is centered and consistent.
Why is there a slit across the top fold?
The slit connects the two primary hanger holes across the central crease. This allows the folded card to slide easily onto a retail peg hook without bending or forcing the top edge of the board.
Will the fold crack if it is printed?
A 180-degree fold can stress the board and ink. To prevent cracking, the grain direction of the paperboard should run parallel to the crease, and appropriate scoring rules must be used during die-cutting.
How thick should the board be?
Board thickness depends entirely on the weight of the bagged product. Light items like apparel accessories can use standard folding carton grades, while heavier hardware may require thicker solid board to prevent the peg hole from tearing.
How are these delivered?
Header cards are delivered completely flat. They nest densely on a pallet or in a master shipper, making them highly efficient to transport and store before use.
Can the front and back panels be different lengths?
Yes. While they are typically symmetric, the length of one panel can be extended if you need more branding space on the front or back of the package.
Does the inside of the card need to be printed?
Usually, no. Because the card folds over, the front and back retail faces are printed on the same side of the flat paperboard sheet. The inside remains unprinted unless two-sided printing is specifically requested.
