Introduction: Why Businesses Choose Custom Print Bags
Custom printed tote bags are a go-to solution for businesses looking to combine branding and functionality. These tote bags can be opted for giveaways at events and at the same time can be used for packaging or for being sold as merchandise; they are highly practical and hold a promotional value.
Hence, the significance of a custom printed bag is vital for a lot of businesses, and they tend to seek reliable suppliers willing to offer them the right custom printed tote bags in bulk. These bags are not just a means of marketing but are also reusable and play a fair share in making the environment sustainable. If you are also hunting for the right custom promotional bags and need to learn more about them, the guide below is for you. So, let’s read.
Step 1 — Define Your Custom Tote Bags Requirement
When placing a bulk order with a vendor, one of the most important things is to have a clear vision of the tote bag that you need. Once you know your requirements, the process of ordering can be conducted clearly so that the final results match your branding and functional goals.
Assessing Bag Type
The first stage requires you to assess the type of bag you need. When it comes to the bags, there are various styles to go for. The personalized canvas tote bags are meant for everyday use and are good for events and shopping. When you go for canvas bags, they offer high durability and can be used for heavy-duty usage.
Jute bags give a natural and rustic look, and brands looking for eco-conscious options may find them durable. Drawstring bags are versatile and can be used for gyms, giveaways, and casual use. Hence, you need to assess the users of your bag and then choose the design.
Size and Handle Style
Next, define the style of the bag, followed by the handle style. These tote bags are offered in varied sizes like small, medium, and large, and each size has a different purpose to serve. The small-sized bags are good for holding small daily essentials, and larger bags are meant for carrying heavy stuff.
Similarly, when it comes to handles, the short handles are easy for hand carrying, and the longer ones help with carrying on the shoulders. Fabric weight is measured in GSM, which can impact the feel and durability. Lightweight fabrics are suitable for giveaways, and heavier fabrics are meant for durable and reusable shopping bags.
Sustainability
Sustainability is a key factor for the growth of businesses. Hence, choosing material that is eco-friendly is an important aspect. You can choose options like organic cotton, RPET, and jute. These are environmentally friendly materials that have a positive impact on the environment and also help your customers identify your commitment to sustainability and ethical values.
When you clearly define your requirements, you get a hold of the right personalized bags that are according to your specifications. Hence, the bags wouldn’t be too large for your intended use nor too small, and would have material that is suitable for your commitments to clients.
Step 2 — Design & Branding Options for Custom Bags
Once the practical specifications of your tote bags are defined, the next thing to do is to feature your brand on them through design. At this stage, you will assess how the bags will look and how they will convey your business message.
Printing Methods
You can start with the custom printing method, as each method has its own advantages. These different methods of printing are as follows:
- Screen printing is suitable for vibrant and bold designs, which can feature a limited colour palette. It is a high-quality printing method and is suitable for bulk orders.
- Digital printing allows manufacturers to feature a detailed artwork, followed by intricate and photographic designs and images.
- Heat transfer printing is suitable for complex images and smaller runs, as the design is first printed on the transfer paper and then transferred to the fabric through heat.
- Embroidery also adds a premium finish to the bags, and you can add your logos and create a stitched appearance on the bag.
Custom Artwork:
The next stage involves deciding on the custom artwork. You need to think about where to place the logo so that it captures maximum attention and yet doesn’t look awkward. If your brand has certain colours in use, make sure to inform your supplier of this so that they can match and align the custom totes with your brand. Sometimes full colour designs enhance the bag’s look, and sometimes a simple one-colour print offers a better aesthetic.
Reflecting brand identity, personalized bags make them suitable for corporate gifts, event giveaways, helping with branded promotions to create positive associations with stakeholders.
Finishing Elements
Consider finishing elements for adding functionality to the bag. Fine details like inner pockets, zippers, and gussets make the bag organized and spacious. Adding tags representing business identity, and these can be in the form of either woven tags, the brand’s logo, or printed lining.
The design not only represents business branding but also adds value to the bag by opting for high-quality materials. When branded bags are thoughtfully designed, they become an essential go-to accessory for customers and tend to provide your brand with a positive exposure followed by a lasting impression.
Step 3 — Request a Quote & Approve Samples
Once the specifications and design for the bag are finalized, the next stage is where sampling and pricing are considered. You need to align your expectations with the supplier to ensure a smooth transition to bulk production. Some of the aspects to consider at this stage are as follows:
Provision of Specifications and Artwork
You can share the designs and your business logo with the vendors, ensuring to share them in high-resolution formats for clarity. At this stage, also specify the fabric weight, material, handle style, dimensions of the bag, and other custom finishes. You also have to provide for the printing method that you need. The specifications provided by you will help determine the quote from the factory.
Request Digital Mockups
Suppliers usually prepare digital mockups as a design preview. These are visuals generated by a computer showing how your artwork and logo will appear on the tote bag. It offers enhanced visualization. There is always a margin of minor deviation from what you see on the screen and what is being printed in terms of colours.
Many businesses even request some samples before bulk production, a physical prototype allows checking the quality of fabric, stitching, brand visibility, and other details.
Approval Process
As soon as you have reviewed the mockups and samples, you can pass through the process of approval. Ensure assessing every detail in the samples and mockups, if the logo has the right position, the alignment of colours is according to your brand, and if the fabric and size are the right ones as needed. In case you find the need for any adjustment, make sure to discuss it with the supplier so that before bulk production, the product can be refined.
Sample approval is crucial to let the vendors start mass production, hence you must take time and review the samples in detail. Although this stage is time-consuming, it is very important and helps prevent wastage at a later date, and is cost-effective.
Step 4 — Production & Quality Assurance for Customizable Designs
After approving samples, the supplier will start with production of the tote bags, and at this stage, you need to clearly communicate with them the expectations about quality and timeline. Some of the considerations at this stage are as follows:
Lead Time for Wholesale Orders
Communicate the timelines with suppliers. It is important to understand that the time required for bulk production will depend on various factors like design complexity, quantity ordered, etc. It usually takes 2 to 6 weeks, and if the orders are larger and need some specific customization printing, this timeline may increase.
Quality Checks
During the process of manufacturing, reliable suppliers usually conduct quality checks at different stages. This requires assessing raw materials, stitching, and other durability aspects. In case the custom printed bags are ordered, assessing the artwork quality and consistency is also crucial. Such a check ensures that the quality of the bag is not compromised and there are no defects in it.
Printing Accuracy
Brand colours and printing accuracy are also a factor that needs attention. In case there is a slight deviation from the brand colours, the brand image is compromised. Hence, it is important to ensure that your supplier creates designs using CMYK or Pantone colours to match and maintain consistency.
Timely print tests during production also ensure that the colours of the logo and design match specifications. Some suppliers also share progress reports so that you can have a look at the production status.
At this stage, your approval and planning are justified. When you work with a supplier who gives quality assurance significance and ensures strict manufacturing standards, you can always trust them with your bulk orders due to the excellent customer experience.
Step 5 — Shipping & Delivery for Custom Print Bag Bulk Orders
As soon as the production has completed, the next consideration is the delivery of the bulk order on time and safely. Shipping and logistics play a vital role in ensuring how smoothly your order reaches you.
Domestic Vs. International Shipping
If you order custom tote bags from a local supplier, the delivery time may vary based on the shipment size and your location. However, if the orders are placed internationally, the timeline is long. By air, the time taken is around one to two weeks, whereas sea shipping can take four to eight weeks, but it is suitable for larger scale and is also cost-effective.
Effective Packaging
Packaging for bulk orders is fully significant. The bulk tote bags are packed in cartons so that they remain safe during transit. Appropriate packaging ensures the safety of the bags from moisture, scratching, and misprinting.
It is also important to take into account sustainable packaging solutions, such as reducing plastic use or opting for recyclable cartons and other eco-friendly materials for packaging. You can also ask for branded wrapping to personalize bags for your clients.
Order Management and Tracking
Suppliers offer appropriate shipping documents and tracking numbers so that you can monitor the shipment at all times. When the orders are large, some dedicated managers look after the logistics and ensure that the customs clearance is conducted smoothly for international deliveries.
It is important to have an oversight so that businesses get their bags delivered on time before the launch dates or promotional events and trade shows to make the best use of opportunities.
Planning for delivery and shipping ensures that the tote bag arrives in excellent condition and on time. Businesses can deliver their bags along with other promotional items as a giveaway at different events scheduled beforehand.
Tips for Getting the Best Value in Custom Bag Orders
When you order custom tote bags in bulk, it is not always about getting the best value; it is about getting the maximum long-term benefits from the bag. Hence, when you plan your order smartly, you can get your hands on the promotional products in the form of tote bags that reflect your brand’s reliability and quality.
Some tips that you can follow when placing your orders for custom canvas tote bags or custom duffel bags may be as follows:
Order in Bulk
When you want to cut the cost of production, the best thing is to order in bulk. Many manufacturers tend to use pricing models where the price of each unit decreases with increasing order size. So businesses that are planning to promote their products at various events and trade shows, and then also use them for retail purposes, may always consider this approach.
Choose Versatile Designs
Opting for versatile designs that are neutral for all types of audiences and events is also a good option. When you go for neutral colored bags with a simple logo, you can use that bag for multiple purposes like corporate giveaways, packaging, retail promotions, and trade shows. Don’t add too many specific graphics so that the bags do not end up wasted; keep them as useful as possible.
Plan Orders in Advance
One more thing to do is to plan your orders in advance. Placing orders at the last moment comes with added cost, high shipping charges, and customization. Hence, when you plan in advance and have sufficient lead time, you can explore various options in terms of eco-friendly materials, better designs, and better pricing. Advance planning even allows for revisions and sampling, preventing errors in bulk production.
Look for Maximum Value
Consider the total value of the bag above the upfront cost. When you invest a little more in better stitching and durable material, you can create bags that are meant for repeated use, being a perfect fit for your customers. This boosts eco-friendliness and also improves customer satisfaction. Combining quantity planning, sturdy construction, and stylish designs helps you attain maximum value.
FAQs — Custom Bags with Logos Ordering for Businesses
What’s the minimum order quantity for custom tote bags?
Minimum order quantity depends on the supplier and the type of customization. When it comes to embroidery and screen printing, you need to go for high units of production, whereas digital printing offers small quantity production too.
Can I order multiple bag styles in one bulk order?
Yes, most of the suppliers allow businesses to order a mix of styles in a bulk order. This may include combining personalized tote bags, followed by drawstring bags, and then jute bags. However, every style would have its own setup cost and minimum order quantity, hence you need to plan the order accordingly.
How long does production take for large custom orders?
Normally, the lead time is around 2 to 6 weeks, but it also depends on the size of the order, design, and finishing required. Also, the international orders may take more time due to the shipping duration, especially when shipped via sea.
Do you offer eco-friendly printing options?
Yes, sustainable printing solutions that involve using waste-based inks and eco-certified dyes are opted for by us. It helps us reduce the environmental impact, and yet we can ensure to create perfect custom bags with long-lasting prints. We also pair these bags with eco-friendly materials like cotton, canvas, and jute.
Can I get a pre-production sample before committing to bulk?
Yes, you can have a digital mockup first and then a pre-production sample upon request. It helps you assess the quality of material, stitching, and even printing accuracy. Once you approve, we can start with the bulk production.
Conclusion
So, are you looking for a supplier who can offer you production of custom shopping bags, laptop bags, and other promotional products in terms of bags? We at Tendee Accessory Shanghai Limited offer a wide range of bags designed according to your specifications. These bags can work well as practical gifts for corporate giveaways or can be used for grocery shopping. So, contact us today and discuss your requirements.
