Custom Logo Printed Bags for Promotional Giveaways & Retailers

Ever picked up a freebie bag at an event, only to have the handle snap the second you put anything heavier than a leaflet inside? Annoying, right? That’s exactly what you don’t want happening with your brand’s giveaway.

Here’s the thing - when done right, a branded bag isn’t just swag. It’s a walking billboard. A good one gets carried for years, appearing in grocery store lines, coffee shops, gym lockers, and even on the Tube next to someone reading Campaign Live. A bad one? It’s left in the hotel room bin before the event even ends.

Let’s make sure yours is the first kind.

Key Benefits of a Good Printed Bag

• Extended Brand Reach: High-quality printed bags can last for years, providing lasting visibility without repeated investments. Unlike digital ads, which require constant budget allocation, a well-made branded bag remains in circulation, keeping your brand present with each use. For example, a sturdy canvas tote is a gift that introduces your logo to various audiences across locations, from busy city streets to community events.
• Broad Appeal Across Multiple Audiences: Personalised bags are practical items that users incorporate into different settings, broadening your brand’s reach beyond traditional advertising channels. Whether carried by a professional commuting to work, a mom running errands, or a college student, these bags bring your brand into spaces that conventional ads might not reach.

Using screen printing and digital printing methods for full-colour branding and personalised messaging, we have a wide selection of bag types. From tote bags, cotton bags, recycled paper bags, carrier bags, plastic bags, document bags, canvas bags, bags for life/reusable shopping bags, shoe/boot bags, carrier bags, sports bags, laptop bags, tablet bags, briefcases, backpacks, drawstring bags, jute bags, travel bags and more.

Other types:

• Fabric shopping bags
• Jute gift bags
• Paper carrier bags
• Eco-friendly tote bags

We have the perfect promotional bag for any business!

Express Delivery Options

Need it quick?

4 popular bags with 3 day express delivery are:

• Big Shopper
• Coloured 5oz Cotton Shopper
• Drawstring Bag
• Market Shopper

Why Do Some Bags Get Kept - and Others Get Tossed?

Okay, quick experiment: Think back to the last time you actually kept a promotional tote. What made it stick around?

I’d bet at least one of these:

• It was tough enough to hold real weight. Nobody trusts a bag that feels like tissue paper. (You ever see someone hesitantly test a tote by tugging the handles? That’s why.)
• It was a practical size. Not too big, not too small. Something that could actually carry things instead of awkwardly flopping around.
• It didn’t scream “I got this for free at a trade show.” High-quality material, subtle branding, maybe even a cool design.

Now, the ones that didn’t make the cut?

• Handles that cut into your hand. If it feels like carrying a cheese wire, it’s going straight in the bin.
• Flimsy fabric that stretches or wrinkles immediately. If it looks cheap, it feels cheap - and that reflects back on your brand.
• A logo so big it might as well be a walking billboard. People don’t want to carry around an ad. They will, however, use something stylish that happens to have branding.

The Fix? Details That Make or Break a Bag:

• Fabric matters. Cotton should be at least 140 GSM (grams per square meter) for durability, while non-woven polypropylene needs 100 GSM minimum so it doesn’t tear under pressure (or, you know, the weight of a single bottle of wine).
• Size = usability. A tote that’s 38cm (W) x 42cm (H) with a 10cm gusset is the goldilocks of promotional bags - big enough for A4 folders, but not so oversized it feels awkward to carry.
• Branding should feel intentional, not obnoxious. The sweet spot? 15cm x 15cm logo placement - visible but not screaming for attention.

“Make something people actually want to use.” Sounds obvious, right? Yet every year, thousands of marketers ignore this and order bags destined for landfill.

How to Pick the Right Bag for Your Audience (So You Don’t Waste Your Budget)

Picture this: You’re at a conference, and you get handed a promotional bag. It’s cheap, floppy, and can barely hold a notebook. Now imagine the same event, but this time, you get a sleek, structured tote that actually fits your laptop. Which one do you think people are still using months later?

The biggest mistake marketers make? Choosing a bag that doesn’t match their audience.

So, who’s carrying yours?

• Corporate professionals (conferences, networking events): They need something that looks sharp and can hold documents, maybe a laptop. Best pick: A structured tote with 40cm x 35cm x 10cm dimensions to fit a 15-inch laptop and A4 folders. Bonus points for leather-look handles - the perfect corporate bag.
• Trade show attendees: They’re already drowning in brochures, samples, and gadgets. They need something lightweight - but sturdy. Minimum strength: It should hold 5kg without breaking. If it can’t handle a couple of water bottles and a pile of business cards, it’s useless.
• Retail customers: They want a solid reusable shopping bag. Floppy ones are a nightmare when unpacking groceries. Best pick: A stiff-bottomed bag with a 3mm reinforced base so it stands up on its own (nobody wants their milk rolling around the car boot).
• Luxury event guests: They expect exclusivity.Best pick: Jute or thick cotton with 8mm rope handles - something that feels like a designer tote rather than a freebie.

Real-World Fail: Picture a finance firm handing out branded fabric totes at a high-end client event. The problem? The material is way too thin, and their sharp-edged brochures punch straight through the bottom. Not one of them makes it home. Had they tested a sample first, they’d have seen the issue.

Pro tip: Always load up a sample bag with actual items to see if it holds up. If it can’t handle a laptop or a six-pack of drinks, it’s not worth ordering.

Cheap vs. Premium: Where to Spend vs. Where to Save

We get it - budgets matter. But cutting corners in the wrong places can cost you more in the long run.

Where to invest:

• Seams & handles: The first thing to break. Get double-stitched seams and handles at least 2.5cm wide to avoid the dreaded “handle rip” moment.
• Print durability:Water-based screen printing lasts 50+ washes. Low-quality heat transfers? Peeling after 15 washes.
• Fabric weight:180 GSM cotton or 120 GSM non-woven polypropylene makes the difference between “daily essential” and “instant trash.”

Where to save (without looking cheap):

• Fabric blend:A 65% cotton / 35% recycled polyester blend is nearly indistinguishable from 100% cotton but costs less.
• Extra features: Zippers, lining, inside pockets - they sound nice, but if you’re doing a mass giveaway, they don’t always add value.

We have a variety of budget branded carrier bags to choose from including the Sugar Can Polyethylene Carrier Bags, and the basic Drawstring Bag.

Psychology Trick:Weight = perceived value. It’s why luxury brands use thicker materials - because heavier feels better. A 200 GSM cotton tote “feels premium” even if the cost difference is just a few pence per unit.

Printing Mistakes That Ruin a Perfect Bag

• Colours look faded or dull? Ink is sinking too much into the fabric. Use Pantone colour-matching for consistency.
• Logo cracks or peels? Wrong heat transfer method. Plastisol ink is more durable on cotton, but water-based inks are better for eco-conscious brands.
• Text too small? Textured materials distort fine details. Minimum font size: 14pt for print, 18pt for embroidery..

Aim to always print-test on the actual fabric. Digital mockups lie.

Sustainability: The Feature Customers Actually Care About

Consumers are getting real good at spotting greenwashing. If your “eco-friendly” custom bag rips after one use, it’s just waste disguised as sustainability.

What actually matters?

• Material: Organic cotton, jute, and RPET (recycled plastic).
• Certifications:GOTS, Fair Trade, OEKO-TEX. If a supplier can’t prove it, be skeptical.
• Lifespan: A reusable bag is better than a recyclable one. If it’s going to break in a month, it’s not eco - it’s landfill-bound.

Selecting the Right Type of Bag for Different Situations

Choosing the best type of personalised bag for your campaign involves understanding the practical needs of your audience and matching them with the bag’s features. Here’s how different types fit into specific marketing scenarios:

• Tote Bags and Handbags: Ideal for events, retail, and client gifts, tote bags are versatile and have broad appeal. Their spacious design allows for larger logos or intricate designs, maximising visibility.
• Backpacks: These are suitable for premium events, corporate gifts, or high-value clients, where a higher price point is justified. Backpacks signal professionalism and are durable, making them a more lasting brand representation. They also make great business bags.
• Drawstring Bags: Lightweight, cost-effective, and perfect for athletic events, schools, and family-friendly gatherings. These bags are practical and attractive to younger or active demographics.
• Eco-Friendly Bags: Great for brands focusing on sustainability or green initiatives, eco-friendly bags made from recycled materials align with environmentally-conscious campaigns, making them ideal for eco-focused companies. Research shows that 73% of consumers are willing to pay more for products that promote sustainability, making eco-friendly products a valuable alignment with market trends while positively influencing brand perception (source).

Shop our range on sale online today, or contact us for more information.

 

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HIGHLIGHTED TEAM MEMBER

James Biggin | Managing Director

Taking over the business co-founded by his father back in 2006, James has been the Managing Director of Steel City Marketing for 15 years and been with the company since 2001. With decades of experience in the promotional products industry, James is passionate about just how effective business gifts are at helping brands stand out and engage with their audience.

Overseeing all aspects of the business, James prides himself on our ability to listen to our clients, spark creative branded merchandise ideas, and provide a seamless customer journey. When not working, James can be found either on the squash court or running with his dog Alby in the peaks.

Linkedin | Email: [email protected]

You can meet the rest of the team here.