Retail Display and Bag Capping
Pegboard Retail Displays
The primary job of this card is to convert a plain poly bag or pouch into a hangable retail product. The euro-hole is sized for standard retail peg hooks, while the front and back panels provide a rigid surface for branding and product information.
Automated and Manual Bagging
This flat-delivered card can be applied by hand using a simple stapler or fed into automated header-card applicators that heat-seal the board directly to the bag material.
Branding for Clear Pouches
When the product itself needs to remain visible through a transparent bag, the header card provides a dedicated paperboard billboard above the product for logos, barcodes, and regulatory text.
Tamper Evidence and Sealing
When securely stapled or heat-sealed across the entire width of the bag opening, the folded card acts as a closure that must be torn or removed to access the product.
Product Categories Using Header Cards
Hardware and Small Parts
Distributors packing fasteners, brackets, or small tools use header cards to seal heavy-duty poly bags. For these applications, a heavier board grade is often selected to prevent the hanger hole from tearing under the weight of the metal parts.
Crafts, Stationery, and Accessories
For lightweight consumer goods, the header card provides a large, uninterrupted surface for vibrant graphics, helping small items stand out on crowded retail pegs.
Snacks and Confectionery
Food-safe pouches are frequently capped with a branded header. In these packing environments, heat sealing is often preferred over staples to maintain food safety and prevent metal contamination.
When to Consider Alternative Hanging Methods
Heavy or Bulky Items
If the bagged product is too heavy, the paperboard hanger hole may tear out over time. In these cases, a fully enclosed folding carton with an integrated hang tab, or a bag with a reinforced plastic header, may be a safer choice.
Products Requiring Shelf Standing
This card is designed strictly for hanging. If the product needs to stand upright on a shelf as well as hang, consider a flat-bottom carton with an extended hanger panel.
Board, Fastening, and Hook Compatibility
Fastening Method
Decide how the card will attach to the bag. Hand-packing operations often use staples, while higher-volume lines may use adhesives or heat sealing. Heat sealing requires a specific compatible coating on the inside of the board.
Board Grade and Grain Direction
The board must be thick enough to support the product weight without tearing at the hole. Just as importantly, the grain direction of the paperboard must run parallel to the central crease to ensure a clean fold without unsightly cracking on the top edge.
Inside Coating
Typically, only the outside of the folded card is printed. If you plan to heat-seal the card to the bag, the unprinted inside surface must be specified with a heat-sealable coating.
Hole Placement and Clearance
The vertical offset of the hanger hole must leave enough room above the bag material so the retail peg hook can pass through cleanly without catching on the plastic pouch.
Adjusting the Display Face and Hanger Hole
Hanger Hole Dimensions
The width, length, and curvature of the euro-hole can be adjusted to match the specific pegboard hooks used by your retail partners.
Display Panel Sizing
The overall width and drop length of the folded panels can be scaled to fit the width of your bag and provide the necessary surface area for your artwork and regulatory text.
Double Scoring for Thick Bags
If you are capping an unusually thick bag or a pouch with a heavy zipper seal, a single crease may pinch the material. A double score can be specified to create a wider top edge that accommodates the extra bulk.
Packing details
Material Tear Strength
The primary failure point for a hanging display is the top edge of the hanger hole. Testing the selected board grade with the actual product weight is recommended before full production.
Header Card Variations
Plain Fold-Over Label
A variation without the hanger holes is available for bags that will be placed in bins or countertop displays rather than hung on pegs.
Additional notes
Fastener placement
When stapling the card, ensure the staples are placed low enough to catch the bag material securely, but high enough to avoid puncturing the product inside.
Related Retail Display Packaging
FAQs
How much weight can the hanger hole support?
The weight capacity depends entirely on the board grade selected and the fastening method used. Heavier products require thicker board and secure stapling to prevent the hole from tearing out.
Does the header card come with adhesive applied?
No, the card is delivered as a flat, unglued board. You will need to apply staples, your own adhesive, or use a heat-sealing process to attach it to the bag.
Can I print on the inside of the folded card?
Yes, the inside can be printed, though it is usually left blank to reduce costs. If you are heat-sealing the card to the bag, the inside will need a functional coating rather than decorative ink.
Why is grain direction important for this card?
Because the card folds 180 degrees in half, the paperboard grain must run parallel to the fold. If it runs perpendicular, the top edge is highly likely to crack and expose raw fibers.
Can the euro-hole be changed to a simple round hole?
Yes, the hanger hole geometry can be modified to a standard round punch or adjusted to fit specific proprietary retail hooks.
How are these delivered?
Header cards are delivered completely flat and nested tightly together, making them extremely space-efficient for shipping and warehouse storage.
What happens if my bag has a thick zipper seal?
A single crease might pinch a thick zipper seal. In these cases, the template can be adjusted with a double score to create a flat top edge that fits over the bulkier closure.
Can these be applied by automated machinery?
Yes, flat header cards are routinely fed into automated applicators that fold and heat-seal them onto bags, provided the board has the correct heat-sealable coating.
