Promotional Bags

Key Benefits of Branded Bags

• Extended Brand Reach: High-quality 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: 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

Which Type Should You Choose?

Here’s how these items can solve real pain points, strengthen brand identity, and foster customer loyalty across a variety of situations:

• Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs: For entrepreneurs on a budget, personalised bags provide an affordable way to elevate the customer experience. By tailoring designs to reflect the brand’s aesthetic—be it minimalist, vibrant, or eco-friendly—businesses create a memorable impression. Eco-friendly options resonate with sustainability-conscious buyers, aligning your brand with values that today’s consumers prioritise.Example Tip: Small businesses can encourage repeat purchases by using printed bags as a “gift with purchase” for orders over a certain amount, turning a simple tote into a loyalty driver. To amplify this, consider including a QR code linking to an online survey or discount offer for their next purchase.
• Event Planners and Coordinators: Event organisers benefit from bags that elevate the guest experience while reinforcing the event’s theme or message. For instance, custom totes at corporate events can display logos, slogans, and sponsor names, enhancing the event’s perceived value. High-quality prints that maintain clarity and colour even after repeated use keep the event’s memory alive for attendees long after they’ve gone home.Expert Insight: For events with tight timelines, select vendors who specialise in fast turnaround for bulk orders. Further customise by including a compartment or zip to make the bag genuinely functional—guests will appreciate this, making them more likely to use the bag regularly, extending your brand reach.
• Marketing and PR Professionals: For campaigns, giveaways, or promotional events, custom bags allow consistent visibility across various touchpoints. High-quality, durable prints ensure that bags maintain a professional look even after months of use, reflecting your brand’s quality and reliability. Bags tailored to specific campaigns—like a reusable bag for an eco-friendly initiative or a sporty drawstring for an athletic event—reinforce the intended brand message.Real-World Application: To boost engagement, ask customers to post pictures with their bags on social media, using a campaign hashtag. This turns customers into ambassadors and amplifies the campaign’s reach beyond the initial recipient.
• Fashion and Boutique Retailers: For boutique retailers, bags are an extension of the store’s identity, often doubling as a quality statement. Selecting premium materials like thick canvas or adding luxury touches such as metallic inks or embossed logos enhances the perceived value. Customers view these bags not just as packaging but as a fashion accessory, making them more likely to reuse them in daily life and thus continue promoting the brand.Expert Tip: For exclusivity, create limited-edition designs with seasonal variations or special editions around anniversaries or holidays. This drives urgency, boosts sales, and enhances customer loyalty by making the bag itself a collector’s item.

Types of Campaigns That Benefit from Customised Bags

Personalised bags excel in campaigns focused on brand visibility, client appreciation, and community engagement. Here are examples of campaigns where customised bags can elevate your brand’s impact:

• Trade Shows and Conferences: High-quality, well-designed bags are a sought-after item at trade shows and conferences, where attendees need to carry brochures, samples, and other items. A bag with your branding not only fulfills a functional need but stays in use long after the event, keeping your brand in attendees’ minds.Pro Tip: Include subtle details like a side pocket or water-resistant material to increase functionality. Attendees will appreciate these thoughtful touches, which help your bag stand out from the crowd.
• Customer Loyalty Programs: For loyalty programs, offering a bag as a reward encourages repeat business and deepens brand loyalty. Customers feel appreciated and are more likely to use the bag regularly, creating additional brand visibility.Advanced Strategy: Personalise bags with customers’ initials or exclusive designs to make the gift feel more unique and meaningful. This increases emotional attachment and heightens the perceived value, further strengthening the customer relationship.
• Seasonal Promotions and Holidays: During high-traffic seasons like holidays, bags make great “gift with purchase” items. Customers appreciate the additional value, while your brand enjoys additional exposure during a peak shopping period.Seasonal Tip: Match bag colours and themes with the holiday season or your current promotional campaign to create a cohesive experience. Seasonal designs enhance your brand’s relevance, making the bag feel like a thoughtful, timely addition to customers’ lives.
• Corporate Gifting: For corporate gifts, bags offer a professional, reusable alternative to disposable gift bags. A durable, high-quality bag can be filled with other promotional items or products, adding polish and prestige to the gesture.Practical Tip: For corporate gifting, choose subtle branding. This enhances the bag’s appeal to clients who may wish to use it professionally, giving your brand visibility in more formal environments.

Selecting the Right Type of Bag for Different Situations

Choosing the best type of 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: 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.
• 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).

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

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.