22 October 2009, Wakayama - In order to promote consumer awareness of Wholegarment knitwear and its benefits, as well as to distinguish Wholegarment from other knitted products, Shima Seiki has been offering Wholegarment product tags exclusively to customers utilizing Wholegarment knitting machines, as well as to apparel planners, designers and merchandisers associated with creating and promoting Wholegarment products. Since their introduction, over 5 million Wholegarment product tags have been sold, effectively making it the company's best-selling product.

In addition to the standard business-card size tags, Shima Seiki has now introduced new Wholegarment Mini Tags which are available for times when a smaller tag is more desirable, the company says.

“The Mini Tags are in direct response to feedback obtained from customers who produce items such as gloves, socks, scarves, hats and other Wholegarment accessories knitted on SWG041N, 061N and 091N compact machines, whose products are too small and out of balance with the larger standard size tags.” Says Shima’s Masaki Karasuno.

“The 4.5cm x 4.5cm square tag hangs diagonally for visual appeal, has rounded corners to prevent snagging, and a matte coating for durability. It features the familiar single-stroke sweater illustration of the larger tag that symbolizes an entire garment knitted in one piece, but this time subdued in the background and tastefully cropped to enhance the diamond shape of the Mini Tag.” Mr Karasuno adds. On the back is a simple description of Wholegarment knitwear and a link to the Wholegarment page on Shima Seiki's recently renewed website.

Large or small, Shima says that its Wholegarment Tags offer some excellent benefits to Wholegarment users as a means of communication with consumers at the retail point of purchase.

1.            Establishes Wholegarment product identity

2.            Educates the consumer about the benefits of Wholegarment products

3.            Distinguishes Wholegarment products from conventional knitwear

4.            Adds value and creates market demand for Wholegarment products

5.            As a symbol of quality, creates consumer confidence in Wholegarment products

6.            Protects from copies and inferior products claiming to be complete garments

Shima says it makes no profit from sales of Wholegarment Tags and concerning consumer confidence, the more Tags are available in the market, the better they serve as testimony to the quality of Wholegarment products. The company intends to keep the tags affordable for widespread use by as many customers as possible.