Leading shopping stores like Target attach security tags to their items to prevent shoplifting. They remove the security tags from the clothes before packing them in a box or bag. However, the cashier or other associates might forget to take it out. Don’t visit the store to remove the security tags; try to do it yourself.
Removing security tags from clothes with delicate fabrics can be challenging. Exerting excess pressure when taking out the security tags can damage the item. Hence, you must be extremely careful when removing these tags from clothes without a magnet at home.
There are several easy-to-use security tag removal tools available on the market. You can use them if you find the clothes you bought from Target have tags on them. Besides, D-I-Y tools like rubber bands and wire cutters can help detach security tags from clothing.
Let’s see the easiest ways to remove Target security tags from clothes and other items:
Why Does Target Attach Security Tags to the Items They Sell?
Security tags are small transmitters mostly attached to clothing. It transmits signals to the antenna guarding the store’s entrance. If someone tries to steal the product with security tags, an alarm is triggered to alert Target employees.
How do Target employees attach security tags to an item? They use a pin through the cloth’s fabrics to attach the markers. You will find different types of security tags in retail stores. Reputed shopping centres like Target use magnetic locks for better anti-theft protection.
The higher the magnetic power in the security tags, the harder it will be to remove them. Moreover, security tags are available in different shapes and sizes. Recent studies show that store employees take more time to remove the circular tags than the picnic or cubical tags.
What are the Different Types of Security Tags You Will Find on Clothes?
You will generally find 3 types of security tags on your clothes – Mechanical, Magnetic and Ink security tags. Out of these 3 security tags, the mechanical ones are the easiest to remove. They have pins which store employees attach to the clothes.
On the other hand, magnetic tags are the most difficult to detach from the clothes. You must have the right tools to remove them; otherwise, it could leave holes in the item. Ink security tags are not common like a mechanic or magneto tags.
Most small retail stores sparingly use ink security tags as they are expensive. You will see a small glass tube with minimal ink in this security tag. The ink might spill on the clothes if you put too much pressure when removing it. Always follow the instructions written on the product label to avoid cloth damage.
How to Remove Target Security Tags with a Rubber Band?
There is no need to assemble professional or specialised tools to remove security tags from Target clothes. You only need a rubber band to unfasten the tags from the item. This method is ideal for clothes with ink security tags on them.
Ensure the ink cube is faced down on the Target cloth before removing it. You will find this cartridge on the pin’s opposite side. Wrap the plastic rubber band around the pan attached to your Target item 4-5 times.
The pin and the ink tube will be separated if you have wrapped the runner band tight enough. The rubber band should be thick and sturdy to hold the pin.
You can also manually remove the pin if the rubber brand fails to separate it from the ink tube. Alternatively, using multiple rubber bands will help you to loosen the pin from the clothes. Keep the ink tube in a safe location or throw it in the garbage bin to avoid accidental spillage.
Can You Remove a Target Security Tag with a Steel Fork?
You must have a fork in the kitchen to remove the security tags from Target’s clothes. Locate where the security tag is in the item and gently push the fork between its gaps. Hold the steel fork’s end and twist it gently to lose the security tag from the clothes you bought from Target.
How to Remove a Target Security Tag using Scissors?
Removing a security tag from your Target clothes is easy with scissors. However, you will need large steel scissors for this purpose. Take the cloth attached to the Target security tag and ensure it faces up.
Put the scissors in the security tag’s opening and twist it 4-5 times to open it. You might twist your scissors 6-7 times if the security tag doesn’t open. Make sure not to cut the clothes using this Target tag removal method.
Is it Possible to Remove a Target Security Tag with a Screwdriver?
You can remove the security tags from the Target item with a thin, flat-head screwdriver. Do your clothes have an ink security tag? Using a screwdriver will be wiser than using scissors or other D-IY removal tools.
Place the Target item on the floor and ensure the ink cartridge faces up to the floor. Take the screwdriver and place it inside the pyramid-shaped ink tube. Slightly press the screwdriver to pierce the plastic cover and pull it up.
The ink tube will pop up if you press down the screwdriver for 4-5 seconds. You will now see the perimeter of the plastic where the ink cube was placed.
Remove it using the flat-head and thin screwdriver, and check if you can see a silver paper lining. Now, it’s time to remove the metal plate that holds the security tag’s pin in one place. Target’s security tag will be removed if you slide through the pin.
How to Remove the Target Security Tag By Freezing It?
Freeze the Target security tag; it is the easiest way to remove it from the item. However, you must remove all the items from your refrigerator before putting the cloth inside. Experts recommend freezing the Target cloth overnight for the best result.
The ink cartridge of the security tag will also be frozen in this method. Hence, there is no risk of ink spillage even if you don’t use rubber bands. Don’t remove the security tag immediately after taking the garment from the refrigerator.
Take out the Target security tag when the cloth is partially warmed. However, waiting for more than an hour can unfreeze the ink. Thus, we suggest not waiting more than 15-20 minutes before removing the security tags using your hands. Alternatively, you can use a screwdriver or needle-nose pliers to separate the Target security seal’s two parts.
How to Remove a Target Security Tag with Wire Cutters?
You can use a wire cutter if you don’t have a flat-head screwdriver or large scissors in your home. Keep the garment on a flat surface with the Target security tag facing up.
Hold the tag on one side with the wire cutter and pull it in the opposite direction. Take the Target security tag’s other side and hold it with the wire cutter. The security tag will be removed as soon as you pull the tag’s other part on the opposite side.
What are the Other Ways to Remove Target Security Tags without a Magnet?
Several other D-I-Y methods exist to unfasten the security tag from a Target item. For instance, you can use a lighter to remove the tag from your clothes. However, you must freeze the ink tube before using a lighter to take it out.
Melt the Target security tag cone’s top portion with the lighter and wait for at least 12-15 minutes. Remove the melted tag portion and the ball bearings with a blunt knife. Pop the remaining cone portion and carefully separate the security tag’s two parts.
Additionally, you can use needle-nose pliers to remove Target security tags without a magnet. Hold the tag’s rectangular side with a plier and grab the other end with another needle-nose plier. Bend these two security tags until it opens. Remember not to bend the security tags too much, and ink might spill on your clothes.
