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BarTender Label Design Training Course
Learn How to Design Labels with BarTender by Seagull Scientific
Learn from our bite size video course. Start with the basics and work through to the most powerful BarTender features.
Short and simple
Training presented in short 15 minute blocks. You can pick and choose from whatever is most important to you or work through one at a time.
Exercises and quizzes to help learning
Each video has a downloadable work book to make your own notes and practice skills.
Once you’ve completed the video, test your understanding with an on-line quiz.
Support group
Access to our private support group where you can get your questions answered.
What you'll Learn:
Basic
- Course 1 – Getting started with your label template. Installing, setting up your printer driver and using the label setup wizard
- Course 2 – How to add text and graphics in less than five minutes – Bonus – design your labels in 3 minutes
- Course 3 – Adding barcodes to your labels
- Course 4 – Connecting and using data with your label templates
- Course 5 – Using forms to enter label data
- Course 6 – Added extras – adding security to your templates, label design template guide and highlighting allergens automatically.
Prices:
£25 per course. This includes video, workbook, online assessment and expert help and advice.
Food Labelling Regulations
As a food manufacturer or processor you have an obligation to ensure your labels meet labelling regulations. In 2016 the European Food Information Regulation was fully introduced and sets out in law what needs to appear on your food labels. Here’s an explanation of what needs to appear on your labels.
Updates to UK Food Regulations
A lot has happened in UK food labelling regulations since we originally posted this article up in 2019. All these regulations still apply, but you’ll find the new rules at the bottom of the page.
Name of Food or Drink
The name of your food or drink must be clearly stated on the packaging. If your food name gives no indication about what is in the item or how it is processed, this information is even more crucial to your consumers.
You will need to add how the food has been processed i.e salted, smoked or dried. Your name should also include a description to describe any differences to similar products for example a ‘fruit ice cream or ‘fruit drink’ should be made using real fruits. Whereas a fruit flavoured product can be used using artificial flavourings.
List of Ingredients
As it suggests, this list must include all of the ingredients used in the food or drink, even water and any additives. You will need to list the ingredients by order of weight, starting with the largest used ingredient and ending with the smallest.
You need to list the ingredient names in the language applicable to where the item is being sold.
Genetically Modified (GM) Ingredients
Any genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or ingredients made from GMOs must be listed or indicated on the food label. Foods made with GM technology (e.g. cheese produced with GM enzymes) or any products such as meat, milk and eggs from animals fed on GM animal feed do not have to be labelled.
Beautiful Labels - Sell More
Labels costing pennies can increase the perceived value of your food product so you can charge more. Click here so we can help you make your product labels look beautiful.
Drinks Containing Alcohol or Caffeine
Drinks or beverages that contain more than 1.2% by volume of alcohol must be labelled with the actual strength of the volume of alcohol. Beverages with high caffeine content, i.e. more than 150mg/l, have to be labelled with the amount of caffeine that they contain, unless they are based on coffee or tea. This is because drinks containing high amounts of caffeine are not recommended for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Weight or Volume
The weight or volume of a food or drink must be shown on the label if it is more than 5g or 5ml. The weight or volume does not have to be exact but must be at least within a few grams or millilitres. Many food types are packages in liquid, e.g. sweetcorn, the drained weight of the food should be clearly displayed. Some foods, such as loose tea and butter, are sold only in standard amounts.
The symbol ‘e’ is used to show that the weight complies with the EU requirement for weight under the average system, i.e. the average pack is at least the weight declared.
Comparing the weight and the price of different brands allows your consumers to make choices on value for money between brands.
Date Marks and Storage Conditions
Nearly all foods must be marked with either a ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date mark so that it is clear how long a product is likely to last once it has been bought and/or opened by your consumers.
The ‘use by’ date is used for foods that have short lives, e.g. milk, meat, fish and are therefore not safe to eat after this date.
Other foods have a best before date, which means that this date the foods may not be at their best but most likely still safe to eat, subject to being stored appropriately. Storage instructions must be included to ensure freshness. Following storage and preparation instructions should prevent food from spoiling too quickly, lower the risk of food poisoning and ensure the food looks and tastes its best when eaten.
Other guidance on the mode of storage has become universal. For example, a simple star system is used to indicate what temperature the food should be held at and for how long:
* -6°C for 1 week (pre-frozen food only)
** -12°C for 1 month (pre-frozen food only)
*** -18°C for 3 months (pre-frozen food only)
**** -18°C or colder for 6 months (pre-frozen food; can also be used to freeze fresh food from room temperature)
Preparation and Storage Instructions
Instructions on how to prepare and cook the food must be given on the label if necessary. If the food has to be heated, instructions must be given for the temperature of the oven and cooking time or for how to heat in a microwave (if applicable). These instructions should ensure the food tastes its best and that it will be thoroughly heated to a core temperature of 75°C, which minimises the risk of food poisoning.
Name and Address of Manufacturer
Contact details for you, the food manufacturer, who is responsible for the information on the label must be stated clearly. This gives your consumers the opportunity to contact you if they have a complaint about the product or if they need to know more about it.
Country of Origin
Your label must display clearly where the food has come from. You must detail this on the label, otherwise it would be misleading not to show it, e.g. a tub of Greek yogurt which was made in the UK. This includes fresh and frozen meat. The origin of the main ingredients has to be given also if this is different from where the final product is made.
Lot or Batch Number
This is required under UK law but is not part of the labelling regulations. The lot or batch number is a code that can identify batches of food in the event that they have to be recalled by you, the manufacturer, packer or producer. A date mark is sometimes used as a lot mark, or a lot mark may be indicated by the letter ‘L’.
Other Information
Several other details may be included on the label but isn’t mandatory includes:- recipes and cooking instructions on labels for use of the product. You may wish to include a picture of the product used as a side dish for example, however you must note that the picture is a serving suggestion only, not to show how the food product will look once removed from the packaging.
Allergen Information
There are 14 food ingredients –
- Milk,
- Eggs,
- Peanuts,
- Nuts from trees (such as Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, almonds and walnuts),
- Fish,
- Molluscs (such as mussels and oysters),
- Crustaceans (including crab and shrimps),
- Soy beans,
- Cereals containing gluten (wheat, barley, rye and oats),
- Lupin,
- Celery,
- Mustard,
- Sesame seeds,
- Sulphur dioxide and sulphites
– that must always be clearly labelled as they are known to cause allergies and intolerances in some individuals.
According to the European regulation (which started to come into force from 2014) these ingredients or foods must be declared in the ingredients list and be highlighted in a way that makes it stand out e.g. in a different font or in bold. For example, ‘single cream (milk)’ or ‘salmon (fish)’.
If there is no ingredients list, for example on a bottle of wine that contains sulphites, the food or ingredient must be highlighted somewhere else on the label.
In the regulations, allergen information is not allowed to be repeated anywhere else on packaging. However, sign posting to the allergen information in the ingredients list is allowed. This means allergy advice boxes or statements to warn customers when a food contains an allergen or has a cross-contamination risk with an allergen are no longer allowed.
However, they can be used to direct your consumers to the allergen information in the ingredients list.
The new regulations also ensure that allergy information is provided on non-pre-packed food in restaurants and cafes, either displayed on menus or available on request.
Seven out of ten severe allergic reactions occur when people eat outside of their home so this should be especially helpful to your consumers with food allergies and intolerances.
Mandatory ‘Back of Pack’ Nutrition Labelling
From 13 December 2016, a nutrition declaration on the back of pack has been mandatory for pre-packed foods and has to be presented per 100g/ml or per portion.
The following needs to be included: energy value (in kJ and kcal), and amount in grams of fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein and salt.
More information can be included but is not compulsory for monounsaturates, polyunsaturates, starch, fibre, vitamins or minerals.
If a nutrition or health claim is made on the packaging then the nutrient in question must be declared
Voluntary Front of Pack Labelling
Repetition of certain nutrients from back of pack labelling is allowed on a voluntary basis, so if you feel your consumers will benefit from this then go ahead!
In the UK, following new government guidelines, a consistent front of pack labelling scheme has been implemented combining guideline daily amounts (GDA) traffic light colour coding with high, medium or low text.
If you have a colour label printer , BarTender (the label design software we tend to recommend) is able to dynamically print the ‘traffic light’ colours when printing from a database.
A note on labels
The food labels we provide you with will be manufactured with a Grade A BRC/IoP (British Retail Consortium and Institute of Packaging) accreditation. That will give your larger retail customers piece of mind.
Just because you need to meet certain regulations for your self-adhesive food labels doesn’t mean you can’t be imaginative and have an eye-catching label.
We can create labels in pretty much any shape for you, from circular to rectangular or even a custom shape to suit your design.
We offer labels with high definition colour, foils, short and long term life and special freezer adhesives all in accordance with the food safe regulations you need to adhere to.
Remember, your product label is a very important marketing tool so you must set the right tone for your product. This is true of any product but especially food. In a supermarket filled with choice, your product needs to show that it will be delicious and high quality, so the label needs to portray this to your customers.
You need an outstanding label to reflect your high quality food and that gives all of the information the customer requires.
Printing your food labels in-house
If you need to overprint a custom label with any changeable information, BarTender is the label software that we recommend (having worked with it for twenty years). BarTender can be configured to automatically embolden, italicise or underline any of the ingredients or allergens who you need to highlight to your consumers. It can also automatically create the food ‘traffic lights’ from data in a database. Click here to find out more about BarTender and it’s wealth of capabilities.
Call us today on 01359 271 111 to discuss your food label requirements or email info@expertlabels.co.uk.
Click on the following link to find out more about what you need to show on your labels: https://www.gov.uk/food-labelling-and-packaging/food-labelling-what-you-must-show
Updated Food Regulations - as of 2025
Mandatory UK Address for Food Business Operators (FBOs)
As of 1 January 2024, all prepacked food sold in Great Britain must display a UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man address for the business operator. If the business is not based in these regions, the label must include the address of the UK-based importer.
‘Not for EU’ Labelling Requirements under Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS)
Under the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS), certain products moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland require ‘Not for EU’ labelling:
- Phase 1 (from 1 October 2023): All prepacked meat and some dairy products.
- Phase 2 (from 1 October 2024): Additional dairy products.
- Phase 3 (from 1 July 2025): Some composite products, fruit and vegetables, fish, and other specified items.
Country of Origin Labelling Adjustments
From 1 January 2024, when the full individual country information isn’t available, labels must state ‘non-UK’ or ‘UK and non-UK’ instead of ‘non-EU’ or ‘EU and non-EU’. This change affects products like minced meat and certain fish and seafood.
Updated Allergen Information Guidance
As of March 2025, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends that food businesses provide written allergen information for non-prepacked foods, in addition to verbal communication. This aims to enhance safety for consumers with food hypersensitivities.
Reforms to Regulated Product Authorisations
As of the 1st April 2025, the need for periodic renewal of authorisations for certain regulated products (for example, feed additives, smoke flavourings, Genetically Modified Organisms) has been removed. Authorisations now come into effect following ministerial decisions and are published in official registers
Label Design Software
Download Your Free Label Design Software
We Help You Choose the Right Label Design Software.
(Clicking this button will take you to Seagull Scientific’s website where you can download a free edition of BarTender)
BarTender by Seagull Scientific
Simple to use label design software with a powerful enterprise engine.
Add text, barcodes and graphics to your label in two or three clicks.
Easily connect databases to your labels and streamline your label printing
Password protect label designs from accidental ‘damage’
Add data entry forms at print time to keep label printing simple
Use BarTender to help you design barcodes – no technical knowledge needed.
Super powerful Automation and Enterprise editions let you create label workflows, share label templates, control user permissions and print automatically based on data entry anywhere in the organisation.
Works with any label printer (unlike some other label designers).
MS Windows only.
Free Edition and then with prices from £445 plus VAT.
(Clicking this button will take you to Seagull Scientific’s website where you can download a free edition of BarTender)
About
Expert labels are specialists in providing printers, labels, barcode scanners and software. We:
- Help you choose the best label design software and
- Provide support you when you need it
- Offer set-up training – remotely or on site and can create your label designs for you if needed.
- Provide an integration service for clients wanting to print directly from ERP and large corporate systems.
Expert Labels
- Have been supplying labels, tags, tickets, barcode scanners and printers since 1994
- Use BarTender to design and print labels in house
- Work closely with Seagull Scientific (BarTender’s developers) to implement label printing integrations
- Are trusted by many of Europe’s best known companies to delivery on time and to exacting standards of quality
- Stand by our products with a money back guarantee
We work with organisations who appreciate a supplier who provides end-to-end printing and scanning expertise.
Some of Our Clients…
Some of the hundreds of clients who trust us for their labels, printers and scanners.
Label Printing Services
Label Printing Services
Are you looking for printed labels in small or large quantities, with text or data printed to your specific requirements. Perhaps for mailshot address labels, barcode labels, batch labels, product serial numbers, offer codes, etc. Sometimes having someone else to do your label printing makes good business sense. Save buying printers and software and stocks of labels, and have us print your short run label jobs.
Many sizes of labels are available in various materials to suit all applications. We can provide standard paper labels with permanent or removable adhesive, waterproof and tearproof materials for outdoor use or for more demanding environments and many others.
More than just Barcode Label Printing
We work with our customers to provide a wide range of different printed label requirements such as
- Barcodes
- Product names and descriptions
- Part numbers
- Lot numbers
- Batch numbers
- Serial numbers
- Mail shot addresses
- Asset ID descriptions and barcodes
- Complex sequential numbers
- Variable information from databases
- and many others
If you know what you need, get a quote by clicking here.
If you have some questions or would like further information – talk to one of our experts – call 01359 271 111 or email us now at info@expertlabels.co.uk
Alternatively have a look at our our guide on the following pages http://expertlabels.co.uk/services/barcode-label-printing/
How to Set Up a Compliant Labelling System
For some of our clients (such as pharmaceutical, clinical trials or military contractors) strict, secure document workflows are an essential requirement in order to meet regulatory compliance. In this article we’ll look at how we can set this up for labelling and documentation using Seagull Scientific’s BarTender label design software.
Let’s start with an example. Palio Care (I’m making this name up for reasons of commercial confidentiality) work in clinical supply. They manage the distribution of drugs for pharmaceutical clients working on clinical trials.
In order to comply with strict QA rules they need a labelling system that combines:
- Security – only authorised users could undertake label design, QA checking and printing.
- Strict Document Workflows – labels could not be printed before they had been checked over by a qualified and authorised person.
- Detailed Audit Trail – records were kept of who did what and when in order to provide evidence for compliance audits.
After researching the market, Palio Care found two suppliers who were able to fulfil these requirements – along with being able to design labels and documents with ease and speed.
Seagull Scientific’s BarTender and… er, let’s call them Pyramid. I have to admit, I don’t know much about Pyramid as a company, but they were dismissed on cost grounds.
Remote Access Label Design Software
Palio Care works with a remote workforce as well as offices in the UK and US. They wanted to use BarTender through Citrix and after a few hours configuration by their IT manager, they had it operational. Citrix gave remote users a secure cloud based environment in which to run BarTender. If you’d like help or advice setting up a remote access label design system, contact us, we’d be pleased to help.
Let’s Look at How We Set it Up.
First, we’re working with Seagull Scientific’s Enterprise Automation edition of BarTender 2016. It’s the top of the range edition with integration to ERP systems (including SAP and Oracle), full document history and, of course, user and group permissions as well as workflows. BarTender Enterprise Automation edition is licenced on the number of printers that are being used. That means it can be used across the entire network on as many computers as you wish – without additional cost. BarTender Enterprise Automation Edition uses a MS SQL server database to maintain a central library of documents that any number of PC’s can access.
Configuring BarTender Workflows
Using BarTender’s Librarian companion app, we set up a simple workflow. We set up our workflow in such a way that an edited label needed to be checked over by QA before being approved by the client. Once the Palio Care’s client had approved it, the label state could be changed to Awaiting printing.
BarTender Security Settings
Now we had the workflow defined, we gave users permission to change file states.
From the Administration Console’s Security tab, the user or group in question was configured to allow it to change certain stages.
For example, a ‘print operator’ group of users can’t approve or edit labels.
How the BarTender System Works
This is how we configured our BarTender solution to work for Palio Care.
A label designer designs the label document and saves it by checking it back into the document library. BarTender prompts the designer to comment on what they have done and has them identify what stage the label is at. In Palio Care’s situation, the designer can only continue editing it, or they can move it to the “Awaiting QA Approval” stage.
With a new stage identified, the QA user is now able to check the label out of the library and carry out their character by character check to ensure the label is correct.
Once satisfied, QA checks the label design back into the library (BarTender has them check their label back in by saving their label design) and update the file’s stage to awaiting Client approval.
With the label checked for quality, in the case of Palio Care, the label is added to a form and sent to the Project Manager who has contact with the client. Once the document is reviewed by the client the Project Manager has the security privileges to be able to go to the document library and change the label’s stage. Now the label is awaiting printing.
With the label at this stage, the Print Operator can print the labels.
Another convenient companion app with BarTender is Print Station. Using Print Station, the Print Operator is able to quickly find the label they need to print, specify which printer they want BarTender to print to and choose how many labels they want. No need to go into the design parts of the BarTender applications.
How We Can Help with Your Labelling Project
If you want to implement a compliant labelling system in your regulated business, we can help – in the UK or internationally.
We have a complete set of system validation documentation (in English) that we can use with your project.
Give us a call or contact us through our contact us page. Alternatively, email us at info@expertlabels.co.uk and request a project plan to help with your labelling system installation.
Useful Links
Visit the BarTender page on Seagull Scientific’s website:
Biodegradable Labels
If you have goals to reduce your organisation’s environmental impact or one of your brand values is to protect the planet, biodegradable labels might be the answer. Our biodegradable labels are all certified (European Compostable Packaging standard, EN 13432) to be free from toxins and designed to break-down without a trace. Choose to compost these labels or recycle them – with these labels you can do both.
As well as being bioegradable and compostable, these labels are made from sustainable and renewable materials.
The paper used to make our paper labels comes from FSC certified sources and the plastic material is made from cellulose, a material made from wood. The wood for cellulose again comes from FSC certified sources.
Our biodegradable labels work as well as traditional labels, with the added benefit of them being completely biodegradable!
If you haven’t already learned about Biodegradable labels click here to read our Guide to Biodegradable labels.
Biodegradable Labels Available
These two images are of biodegradable labels that have been exposed to the weather outside our office.
- Biodegradable semi gloss paper labels (FSC certified by the Forest Stewardship Council) are suitable for a wide range of promotional and industrial label uses and we can offer these plain or full colour printed. This material is printable by most printing methods including thermal transfer.
Shelf life: in cool dry conditions, several years. - Biodegradable (FSC certified) matt white thermal transfer printable labels are ideal for situations where label presentation is less important (i.e. warehouse labels, outer case labels and labels for in-house identification). This material is printable by most printing methods including thermal transfer.
Shelf life: in cool dry conditions, several years.
- Biodegradable and compostable white high gloss film labels are available, with a print receptive top coating. These labels are great for food items including fruit and vegetables, drink bottles and healthcare products and can be printed in full colour to a high standard. All the labels are compliant with the European Food Regulations for direct contact with dry, non fatty food items. The adhesive used is acrylic based and biodegradable. The labels are water and tear resistant
Shelf life: in cool dry conditions, six months.
- Biodegradable and compostable clear gloss film labels are available, with a print receptive top coating. These labels are also especially good for food items and healthcare products and can be printed in full colour for a high quality presentation. All the labels are compliant with the European Food Regulations for direct contact with dry, non fatty food items. The adhesive used is, again, acrylic based and biodegradable it sticks well initially and maintains it’s adhesion. Water and tear resistant.
Shelf life: in cool dry conditions, six months.
For more information on any of our products or to place your order please click the chat button in the bottom right or contact a member of our team today.
Useful Resources
Read our news article about Recycling labels
Take a look at our Sustainable labels
Also – our guide to Biodegradable labels.
Click this link to understand label prices.
Making your product beautiful with Swing Tags
Swing tags, or swing tickets, come in all shapes, sizes, thickness, colours and materials. Choosing the right ticket for your product can feel overwhelming, but that’s where we can help! Read on to find out more about swing tickets and how we can help you.
Swing tags can really set the tone for the product you’re selling. From rustic and charming to elegant and luxurious, your swing tag can be made to suit your product and strengthen your product awareness in the marketplace.
The first thing you will need to think about is what style of swing tag (or swing ticket) will match your products. If you’re a vintage clothing shop, a brown craft card with jute string will give a rugged and down to earth vibe. A high end gift shop might want a more finished and classic tag such as a thick, crisp white card, custom shaped with a nickel eyelet and a beautiful ribbon. Both of these could be printed both sides with a colour or even a foil effect. The possibilities are endless! Once you have decided on the material and print colours, you can choose from many stringing options such as elastic, ribbon and string.
Fancy adding a final touch? Eyelets are a truly eye catching detail to add to your swing tag. Choose from nickel or brass to make your ticket really stand out.
Need your swing tag to be tough and functional? No problem. Waterproof PVC or our superbly robust Tyvek are brilliant options. Again, both of these materials can be printed both sides and strung to suit your needs. Many of our customers choose to use a brass or nickel eyelet to strengthen the drill hole and a strong cord or elastic stringing.
We can also provide health and safety tickets for you. This can be anything from warning messages to maintenance tags. We can provide these tags on bright coloured card, PVC or Tyvek and with washered drill holes to minimise the chance of tearing. We also hold all of the standard health and safety symbols and graphics you may need.
Call us today on 01359 271 111 to discuss how we can help you with your swing tag requirements or email us at info@expertlabels.co.uk.
Double Sided Adhesive Labels and Stickers
The fantastic relationship we build with our clients usually start with a question from them; Can you help me with this?
‘This’ has meant a variety of different problems over the years, from fixing a printer error to creating a bespoke label. Our technical team here at Expert Labels love to flex their muscles and get stuck in and to find a solution. Some can be resolved with a phone call, others a visit.
Some time ago we were asked if we can provide a solution to an unusual label problem…
The client had unique label application equipment that needed to work with a specialised label; double sided adhesive labels. They used these labels to attach promotional gifts for their customers. The label was stuck to the product and the top of the label was left exposed, ready for the next stage of adding the promotional gift. The problem the client found was that this double sided adhesive label was not readily available. Enter Expert Labels! Our technical team worked hard to find a suitable backing (web) material that was compatible with the existing application equipment. Our fabulous production team were able to create a label with adhesive on both sides that worked with the client’s existing application equipment and processes. We also provided the client with these twin sided adhesive stickers on large rolls, 11,000 labels per roll!
These labels are a fantastic tool to use to attach lightweight promotional gifts and giveaways on your products or marketing material. Call us on 01359 271 111 or email info@expertlabels.co.uk.
If you are experiencing a label issue and need help, come to us! Our staff constantly pool their knowledge and experience together to make a friendly, efficient and helpful service for you, our customers.
Choosing the right labels for your candles
Originally used as a source of light, candles have been used for over 5,000 years. More recently, they are a high demand product for home fragrance and gifts. Candle manufacturing is a fast growing multi million pound industry in the UK alone and shows no signs of slowing down.
If you are one of the many candle companies out there, you will know the importance of dressing your candle to catch the consumers eye. Candle lovers out there are inundated with choice so it’s up to you to make sure your candle shines bright amongst the competition. We can help with glorious product labels and chic swing tags.
Brighten up your candle products with foil printed labels. The foil print looks stylish and eye catching and is available in several striking colours. Or for a more classic and vintage look, a matt label with subtle pastel colours will be sure to draw attention.
Swing tags are a very contemporary packaging accessory to add to the neck of the candle jar, votive or lantern. These tags can really set off your product and pack a punch when attracting consumers. From a brown craft card tag for that rustic impression to silk white card for a luxurious style, plus several stringing options, we can create the perfect tag for your candle product. We can also provide you with your barcode labels to stick to the tag. To find out more about barcode labels click here
To make sure your consumers are protected, the current law that applies to the safety of goods is The General product Safety Regulation (GPSR). Although there are no specific laws that relate directly to candles, you will need to adhere to the European Standards. These standards will give guidance as to how safety with candles might be achieved. If your product needs extensive information for your consumers, a peel and reveal label might be a good option for you. These labels can be up to five pages and can include caution symbols, ingredients and warnings. If you need more than five pages, you will need a multipage or booklet label. These are a neat way of encompassing several pages of information and applying it to the lid or base of your product.
Give us a call on 01359 271 111 or email us on info@expertlabels.co.uk to discuss your label and swing tag needs.