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Designing Your Pathtag

Designing a Pathtag is fun and easy! The more you know about the tag process going in, the better your experience will be. There is a lot of information on this page, but we promise - if you take 15 minutes to look through it, you'll be ready to start designing your tag in a jiffy!

You're On The Team!

You are the most important member of our team! As the creative genius, reviewing your blueprint for accuracy, clearly communicate changes needed, and approving your work in a timely fashion are all your responsibilities. We do the rest, but this key task is yours and yours alone! Do not approve a blueprint until you are 100% satisfied.

Understanding production constraints, ensuring your art is production ready before placing an order, and using non-subjective terms are all things you can do to help us get your design in production as fast as possible. This page introduces you to all these key concepts.

Get Inspired!

The hardest part of tag design is coming up with an idea. Tags can be based on clip art, a forum avatar, or even a photo! Start with something personal or something you like. Go peruse the gallery to see what other people are doing. Drop by the Forums and check out the design forum. You can look around for free designs and/or ask for ideas from fellow taggers!

Still not coming to you? Our Design Partners often have Ready-Made tags for sale on their website. Find a design that you like and they'll add your name! Instant inspiration and gratification!

Tag Specification Guide

Making a Pathtag should be a fun and exciting adventure! Seeing your design go from concept to physical product is very rewarding!

Designing a tag is both a creative and a physical process. Sometimes our imaginations exceed the physical capabilities of the production process. Your art, no matter how awesome, will always be converted to a "blueprint" which you get to review before production starts and which will show any changes needed for production.

These are guidelines only. Glitter and Glow require color spacing 2-3x larger than noted below due to fill method.

Diameter 23mm
Total Thickness 2mm
Face Thickness (one side) 1mm
Hole Dimension 3.5mm
Hole Distance From Edge 1.2-1.4mm
Hole Border Minimum Size (optional) .25mm
Width of colored areas .3mm for images, 1mm for colored text
Width (thickness) of raised metal features .5mm
Spacing needed between raised metal features .5mm

Get Professional Help!

Still not feeling adventurous or inspired? Hook up with one of our great Design Partners! These skilled freelance artists will create a design for a nominal fee that you pay directly to them.

Try It Yourself - DIY!

If you need a tool to put your design together - check out Canva, an online graphics editing service. You can easily create a design in minutes and then upload it to our site. In minutes using an existing account like Google or Facebook you can get a free account, draft your tag and download a PNG of your design that you can easily upload with your Pathtags order.

Watch This 5 Minute Tutorial

Download A Pack of Pathtag Borders


Download Tag Design Files

Hot Tips For Great Tags

  • Tags are small! Less is Often More! This is the #1 consideration for every great tag. Keep it simple for clarity and quality. Tags are roughly the size of a U.S. Quarter or a one Euro coin. Hold one when considering what you want on it.
  • Be specific - interpretation leads to iteration! Avoid using terms like "slightly" or "bigger". Make sure you show where the hole should go. Feel free to mark up your original art with comments to ensure your design can be clearly understood by the blueprinters.
  • You design the front, then pick the back. You can design (nearly) anything you want for your tag's front. On the back, we offer a library of Tag Backs you can choose from to further personalize your tag.
  • No gradient colors. Pathtags are colored using liquid enamel, not printing. Designs which rely on gradients (photos, clipart) will be converted during the blueprint process. If the conversion is icky, we suggest engaging a DP for best results.
  • Color is your best friend - and worst enemy. You can use up to 10 colors. We suggest using under 6 colors in your design for quality and clarity. Stick with a smaller set of bright eye catching colors for the best result.
  • We don't do 3D. You can do "multiple levels" of metal if you are an advanced designer but this is not a supported process and voids the warranty we offer on quality. You accept the risk when using advanced techniques like this.
  • Avoid fine colored detail. Colors are applied using enamel. The enamel is a liquid injected into tiny "canals" on your tag by hand with a syringe. Yes, a person puts color in those tiny recesses. Have mercy on this person! :) Designs with very fine detail may be simplified in blueprint preparation to address production challenges.
  • 500x500 pixel JPGs at 72dpi is sufficient for uploading with your order. Higher resolution is accepted, but not needed. If you think we need a higher res image to see your detail - your design is definitely too detailed!

Official Design Partners

NOTE: Design partners are not employees of Pathtags.com. They're pretty good (or we wouldn't list them on our site!) but they are independent freelancers. Their work is not warrantied by us in any way. As they are freelancers, they are not always able to take new jobs or sometimes even respond to emails. If you are not getting replies, try contacting a different design partner or post a note requesting help in our forums. Design partner services typically cost $25-$35, which you will pay directly to the designer.
Business Name User Name See Their Designs
Texas Dreamweaver Texas Dreamweaver View Designs
GVSU4MSU / LEEsigns gvsu4msu View Designs
Pathtags Art Monedina View Designs
Artistic Whims Caching Kitty View Designs
Flatouts Designs Flatouts View Designs
Pink Sweets Pathtag Designs Pink Sweets View Designs
Designer Tags by Shannan MNS13 View Designs
Pink Cow Pathtags SoobaxM View Designs
Peachy Pathtags peachfaced View Designs
MIKEY MACS TAGS MIKEY MAC View Designs
ozglory Ozglory View Designs
J&LA Geocats Pathtags J&LA View Designs
Pathtag Island Design Zyklopin & Cthulhu View Designs
Omegaman Designs omegaman1971 View Designs
Scurvy Dog Design Oddiewan View Designs

Ready-made Designs

NOTE: Design partners are not employees of Pathtags.com. They're pretty good (or we wouldn't list them on our site!) but they are independent freelancers. Their work is not warrantied by us in any way. As they are freelancers, they are not always able to take new jobs or sometimes even respond to emails. If you are not getting replies, try contacting a different design partner or post a note requesting help in our forums. Design partner services typically cost $25-$35, which you will pay directly to the designer.
Business Name User Name See Their Designs
Kyndrid Spirit Pathtag Design Kyndrid View Designs
GVSU4MSU / LEEsigns gvsu4msu View Designs
Artistic Whims Caching Kitty View Designs
Pink Sweets Pathtag Designs Pink Sweets View Designs
Designer Tags by Shannan MNS13 View Designs
Pink Cow Pathtags SoobaxM View Designs
Peachy Pathtags peachfaced View Designs
MIKEY MACS TAGS MIKEY MAC View Designs
ozglory Ozglory View Designs
Pathtag Island Design Zyklopin & Cthulhu View Designs
Scurvy Dog Design Oddiewan View Designs

PATHTAG CLUBS:

There are a number of Monthly Tag Clubs you can join around the world. The most popular is The Pathtag Club owned and operated by us. There are a lot of other clubs offering monthly tag subscriptions around the world. Google for Pathtag Club or search on Facebook to find the one(s) near you.

JPG Template

You can use the template below as a start for your design. You can right click and save to your hard drive.

Available Options

  • Four plating are available. Shiny Silver, Black Nickel, Shiny Gold, and Shiny Copper. Silver is our standard color and is available for no additional fee. The other platings are available for small additional fees.
  • Soft enamel colors as per your submitted artwork.
  • 1 translucent color per tag can be used for a small additional cost per tag. Use available translucent colors for things like water, or to make a jeweled effect.
  • Tag backs allow further personalization of your tag. Choose from a variety of available back side designs. Select a "Give Back" and the extra you pay in your order goes to that organization or charity.
  • Vanity codes let you choose any 7 character serial for your tag for a $20 one-time fee. 7 digit random serial numbers are provided at no additional charge.

Tag Backs

In addition to uploading your own custom front side design, you can further customize your tag by selecting a back from our library of back sides. Some of these are free but some cost a bit extra per tag. Pricing is listed with each tag for your reference. Give Backs cost a little extra, but that extra money goes to the organization or charity featured on that back. It's a great way to show your style and support your favorite group or cause.

Standard Tag Backs


0¢ ea.
Trasera-Noroeste
0¢ ea.
Aliens
0¢ ea.
National Parks Club
0¢ ea.
Comunidad de Madrid
0¢ ea.
TROPA
0¢ ea.
Just Geocaching
0¢ ea.
Events TagBack
0¢ ea.
Catalunya
0¢ ea.
Geocaching Vlogger
0¢ ea.
Scurvy Dog Design
0¢ ea.
First Responder
0¢ ea.
Google Map Icon
0¢ ea.
Nutcracker
0¢ ea.
Summer and Winter
0¢ ea.
In Loving Memory
0¢ ea.
Geocachers Of Long Island
0¢ ea.
Valentine Hearts
0¢ ea.
Happy Holidays
0¢ ea.
Celebrate
0¢ ea.
20 Years of Caching
0¢ ea.
Cuddle Club
0¢ ea.
Pathtag Island Designs
0¢ ea.
Pathtag Express
0¢ ea.
Grimm Fairy Tales
0¢ ea.
Chemistry of Caching
0¢ ea.
Glasses
0¢ ea.
NoVAGO
0¢ ea.
Toucan Designs
0¢ ea.
Mikey Macs Tags
0¢ ea.
Oz Glory
0¢ ea.
Cosmic Creations
0¢ ea.
MSGA
0¢ ea.
Unesco
0¢ ea.
Dragon
0¢ ea.
Peachy Pathtags
0¢ ea.
J & LA Geocats
0¢ ea.
#US Geocaching Hour
0¢ ea.
State Quarter
0¢ ea.
Victorian Button Club
0¢ ea.
Charlie Harper
0¢ ea.
Kyndrid Spirits
0¢ ea.
Tigersden
0¢ ea.
JMC Club
0¢ ea.
Cat Got Your Tag?
0¢ ea.
Be Prepared
0¢ ea.
Holland
0¢ ea.
GeoGearHeads
0¢ ea.
Bon Voyage
0¢ ea.
Keep Calm
10¢ ea.
Union Jack
0¢ ea.
Japanese Manhole
0¢ ea.
World Friends
0¢ ea.
Hatfield McCoy House
0¢ ea.
Garmin
0¢ ea.
Looking
0¢ ea.
Happy Caching!
10¢ ea.
Scotland
0¢ ea.
Geotours
0¢ ea.
NNJC
0¢ ea.
Podcacher
10¢ ea.
Old Continent
10¢ ea.
Spain
10¢ ea.
Portugal
10¢ ea.
Canada
10¢ ea.
Australia Kangaroo
10¢ ea.
United States
10¢ ea.
French
0¢ ea.
Yours To Keep
10¢ ea.
Pirates! Arr!
0¢ ea.
Happy New Year!
0¢ ea.
Halloween
0¢ ea.
Holiday
0¢ ea.
Hearts
10¢ ea.
CITO
0¢ ea.
Crossed Paths
0¢ ea.
Play With Sats
0¢ ea.
Version 2
0¢ ea.
Lamppost Lover
0¢ ea.
Mad for Ammo Cans
0¢ ea.
Standard

Give Backs


10¢ ea.
GeoWoodstock XX
10¢ ea.
Spring Fling 2024
10¢ ea.
Mega Horn 2024
10¢ ea.
GAGB - Version 2
10¢ ea.
GAGB - Version 1
10¢ ea.
Midwest Geobash 2024
10¢ ea.
Club Pathtag Spain 23
10¢ ea.
Going Caching 2023
10¢ ea.
SoCal Spring Fling 23
10¢ ea.
SoCal Spring Fling
10¢ ea.
CacheFest 2023
10¢ ea.
London Calling
10¢ ea.
MOGA 2023
10¢ ea.
AREA 51 ALIEN
10¢ ea.
Midwest Geobash
10¢ ea.
MWGB 2023
10¢ ea.
GeoWoodstock XIX
10¢ ea.
Going Caching 2022
10¢ ea.
Brunete4Geo 2020+II
10¢ ea.
Club Pathtag Spain
10¢ ea.
MWGB 2022
10¢ ea.
MNGCA
10¢ ea.
Worldwide Cachefest 2022
10¢ ea.
MOGA 2022
10¢ ea.
Ohio Geo
10¢ ea.
OHGeo.org
10¢ ea.
Cache QLD
10¢ ea.
OZ GeoMuster
10¢ ea.
Geocaching Victoria
10¢ ea.
West Oz Geocaching
10¢ ea.
Geocachers of the Bay Area
10¢ ea.
Arkansas Geocachers
10¢ ea.
HAT GEO
10¢ ea.
Dog Scouts
10¢ ea.
Geocaching Colorado
10¢ ea.
BC Geocaching
10¢ ea.
Geocaching Hampton Roads
10¢ ea.
Arizona Trail Assoc.
10¢ ea.
Hatfield McCoy
10¢ ea.
South Australia
10¢ ea.
Peoria Area Cachers
10¢ ea.
WSGA
10¢ ea.
SCGA
10¢ ea.
GPS.ORG.NZ
10¢ ea.
Geocaching NSW
10¢ ea.
GONIL
10¢ ea.
Lousiana
10¢ ea.
Space Coast Geocachers
10¢ ea.
ASP Geobash
10¢ ea.
Maryland
10¢ ea.
Wisconsin
10¢ ea.
Iowa Geocachers
10¢ ea.
SLAGA
10¢ ea.
Geocaching Australia
10¢ ea.
Alaska
10¢ ea.
GGA
10¢ ea.
Texas Geocaching
10¢ ea.
MiGO

Special Enamel Processes

In addition to just normal colored enamel, we offer Translucent enamel as a standard option. Periodically Glitter or Glow enamels will be available during promotional periods. You can review the available color options below:

Translucent Color Chart

Translucent enamels offer a semi-transparent look for your tag. Translucent colors are available all the time at a price of $.10 per tag for one color. If you select a Translucent color and a special is running for glow or glitter, you can also select one of these colors to achieve two special enamels on one Pathtag.

There are 10 available translucent colors. These photos are provided as a guide only. Many factors can change the final appearance of translucent enamels including lighting, thickness of metal areas, level of detail etc. Actual appearance may differ from what is shown here.

#1 - Dark Red
#2 - Red
#3 - Maroon
#4 - Orange
#5 - Light Purple
#6 - Bright Green
#7 - Blue Green
#8 - Blue
#9 - Violet
#10 - Black

Glitter Color Chart

Hide Labels

Make your tag sparkle with Glitter! Add one of our available colors to your next project. Specify a color from below or simply mark the glitter areas on your uploaded artwork and the closest matching color will be used in your blueprint.


Black
[CA-5(Black)]

Blue
[#15(Blue)]

Light Blue
[CA-9]

Aqua
[B7]

Copper
[#4S9(Copper)]

Light Gold
[#2(L.tGold)]

Gold
[#4(Dk.Gold)]

Green
[JP-55(Green)]

Jade
[R-Y Green]

Opal
[R-Y Blue]

Pink
[#234]

Light Pink
[CA-8]

Purple
[CA-2]

Lavender
[U26E]

Red
[#5(Red)]

Silver
[#1(Silver)]

White
[Rainbom]

Yellow
[R-Y Yellow]

Glow Color Chart

These enamel colors are only available during special offers. To learn if a special offer is running, log into your Pathtags.com account. If you see a message about a special, you can take advantage of the special to make tags with the special features listed during a limited time.

The graphic below is animated and shows both the colors in light and glowing. Wait for the graphic to fully load to see the colors animate.