Header cards do a simple job, but a few millimetres can decide whether they work properly on a retail hook. Custom header cards can be sized around the bag, hanging slot and information that needs to remain visible.
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A header card that’s exactly the width of an empty bag can look completely different once the product goes inside. The bag may spread at the sides, become thicker or hang slightly differently under its own weight. That’s why we prefer to check the finished pack before settling on the header card packaging dimensions.
Small accessories may only need a narrow-folded card. Heavier or wider products generally need more board around the fixing points. For products that need a carton rather than a flexible bag, folding packaging provides more enclosed protection while still giving plenty of printable space.
A euro slot isn’t something we’d position by eye. It needs enough board above and around the cut-out to carry the packed weight. Its position also affects whether the product hangs straight or leans to one side.
For a hanging header card, the centre of gravity of the filled package matters. An off-centre product may need the slot position adjusted slightly to compensate. Header cards with euro slots are useful for standard retail display hooks, while round holes can work where a simpler hanging arrangement is used.
Not every product needs the same construction. A folded header card wraps over the top of the bag, providing printable panels on the front and back. It can also hide the top seal or fixing points.
Single cardboard header cards are simpler and can be attached directly where the product and bag construction allow. For products that need to stand on a counter instead of hanging from a hook, counter display packaging may be more practical, particularly when several small units are sold together.
Header cards are often smaller than people expect. The front needs branding and a product name. The back may need instructions, a barcode, contact information or other product details. Then part of the card is lost to the euro slot and fixing area. A good header card design accounts for those areas before artwork begins.
Text placed too close to the fold can become difficult to read. Likewise, a logo sitting behind the euro slot might look fine on a flat header card mockup but wrong once the card has been die-cut. Where customers also need to see the product clearly through the outer packaging, window box packaging offers another retail presentation option.
Staples are common, but they’re not the only consideration. The attachment method needs to suit the product, bag and intended retail use. Whatever method is chosen, the header card template should leave enough clear space for fixing without covering important artwork.
The bag itself also needs to remain properly closed. For that reason, the header shouldn’t be treated as a replacement for the product bag’s required seal unless the complete packaging specification has been developed for that purpose.
Products hanging in a shop don’t remain untouched. Customers lift them from hooks, put them back and sometimes pull the package from the card rather than the bag. A weak hanging area can begin to tear after repeated handling. The packed product weight therefore matters when selecting the board for product header cards.
A lightweight craft item and a heavier hardware accessory may look similar in size but put very different loads through the euro slot. Products requiring more structural support can instead use corrugated packaging where appropriate.
Once the width, fold, hanging slot and attachment area have been tested, the same structure can be used across several products. This is useful when a retailer has a range of small items packed in similar bags. The custom printed header cards can keep the same dimensions while colours, product names, barcodes and artwork change between SKUs.
Before a larger header card printing run, checking a physical sample on the actual retail hook is worthwhile. It quickly shows whether the pack hangs straight and whether the important front-panel information remains visible.
| Dimension (L + W + H) | All Custom Sizes & Shapes |
|---|---|
| Quantities | No Minimum Order Required |
| Paper Stock | 210gsm, 250gsm, 280gsm, 300gsm, 350gsm, 420gsm, 460gsm, 500gsm, Bleach Card (SBS), Eco-Friendly Kraft, E-flute Corrugated, Bux Board, etc. |
| Printing | No Printing, CMYK, CMYK + 1 PMS color, CMYK + 2 PMS colors |
| Finishing | Gloss Lamination, Matte Lamination, Gloss AQ, Gloss UV, Matte UV, Spot UV, Embossing, Foiling |
| Included Options | Die Cutting, Gluing, Scoring, Perforation |
| Additional Options | Eco-Friendly, Recycled Boxes, Biodegradable |
| Proof | Flat View, 3D Mock-up, Physical Sampling (On request) |
| Turnaround | 7 – 10 Business Days, RUSH |
| Shipping | FLAT |
What size should a header card be?
The width should usually be based on the filled bag rather than its flat dimensions. Product weight, required artwork and the hanging slot also affect the finished card size.
What is a euro slot on a header card?
A euro slot is a die-cut opening used to hang packaged products from common retail display hooks. Enough board needs to remain around the opening to support the packed product.
Should a header card be folded or single-sided?
Folded cards provide front and back panels and wrap over the bag opening. A single card can be sufficient for simpler packs where less printable space and structural support are needed.
How is a header card attached to product packaging?
The attachment method depends on the bag and product specification. The card layout should reserve a clear fixing area so staples or other attachments don't interfere with branding or required information.
What information should go on a retail header card?
Common elements include the product name, branding, barcode, instructions and relevant product information. These should be positioned around the fold, hanging slot and fixing areas.
How thick should cardboard header cards be?
There isn't one board thickness for every product. The appropriate specification depends on the card dimensions, packed weight, hanging-slot design and expected retail handling.
Can one header card template be used for several products?
Yes, when the products use similarly sized bags and have comparable packed weights. The structural template can remain consistent while the artwork, barcode and product information change.
Compare stock types, print routes, ink options, finishing touches, and premium add-ons without jumping between pages.
A dependable fluted board built for shipping pressure, stacking strength, and day-to-day courier handling. A practical choice when protection matters as much as presentation.
A natural-looking stock with a warm, honest finish. It suits brands that want a grounded, minimal, and more responsible packaging appearance.
A bright white surface that delivers crisp print, cleaner colour reproduction, and a polished retail look for detailed branding work.
A rich dark stock made for brands that want contrast, restraint, and a more elevated shelf presence without over-designing the pack.
A smart option for smaller quantities, quicker launches, and product lines where artwork changes often. Great for agility without sacrificing presentation.
Ideal for longer production runs where colour control, fine detail, and repeat consistency need to stay locked in from batch to batch.
Used when packaging needs extra touch appeal. It adds elevated detail that catches light and gives branded areas more presence in hand.
A crisp, high-density print process for designs that need vibrancy, quick curing, and reliable durability on coated packaging surfaces.
The everyday foundation for full-colour packaging artwork, especially when designs include images, gradients, or more layered creative work.
Chosen when brand identity needs tighter control. Ideal for signature colours that must stay recognisable across different runs and materials.
Useful for simple, confident branding where coverage and opacity matter more than highly detailed artwork or photographic effects.
A cleaner print route often paired with kraft boards and sustainability-led packaging briefs where materials and messaging need to feel aligned.
A restrained finish that softens reflection and supports a cleaner, more refined premium look while improving surface protection.
Used when colour needs more energy and the final carton should feel brighter, sharper, and more immediately visible in display settings.
A velvety finish that changes how the pack feels in hand. Best used where tactile quality helps support a more premium brand impression.
Adds focused gloss only where you want attention, usually on logos, names, patterns, or small design details that deserve a highlight.
A high-visibility enhancement used for logos, product names, borders, and presentation-led packs that need a stronger premium cue.
Builds depth into selected areas so the design does not just look better, it feels more considered in the customer’s hand.
Creates recessed detail for a quieter premium effect, especially useful on understated packs where elegance relies on restraint.
A practical add-on when the product itself helps sell the pack. Suitable for cartons that benefit from partial product reveal.
Good packaging decisions are not only about print. They affect shipping efficiency, shelf appeal, storage, handling, and repeat ordering. That is where practical support matters.
Share sizes, quantity targets, product type, and any branding direction you already have.
We match the brief with board grade, print route, finish level, and practical packaging format.
The key production details are checked before the job moves forward into the main run.
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