Tote bags are a brilliant marketing tool, and definitely worth the investment. But, if you want flawless results, getting them branded requires a bit of insight, especially if you don’t know much about technical factors like material quality and printing techniques.
With three decades of experience creating beautiful bags for some of the UK’s most discerning businesses, we’re here to help you explore different options so that every choice you make is informed, practical and meets expectations.
Read on for our top tips.
Three fabric bag materials that outshine the rest
While we can source just about anything, our bespoke tote offering focuses on three prime textiles, all geared towards championing sustainability.
Recycled cotton
Made from surplus yarn and fabric generated in the textile industry, recycled cotton is soft and lightweight with a premium look and feel. Easy to customise, it’s available in five different thicknesses, including 5oz and 8oz (both considered regular cotton), and 10oz, 12oz, 14oz and 16oz (all constituting canvas). And all of these options are 100% plastic free.
We also offer a cotton/polyester mix for those needing a stronger, smoother, water-resistant product.
It’s important to note that our factories track where our resources come from, and we can provide proper Global Recycling Standard (GRS) certificates if needed.
Jute
Manufactured from the stem of the Corchorus plant, this ‘golden fibre’ is grown in warm, humid countries like India and Bangladesh and requires minimal fertilisers or pesticides, making it eco-friendly, biodegradable and highly sustainable. Course in texture, it has a natural, rustic aesthetic and is an ideal choice for heavier items like farm produce or wine bottles.
Our jute bags contain polypropylene/LDPE backings, adding extra durability and ensuring that they hold their shape. This addition also allows you to wipe them clean when necessary. All of the components used in this range are biodegradable, and we have a plain jute option for those who want an all-natural alternative.
Juco
The perfect blend of the two, Juco combines the softness and versatility of cotton with the resilience of jute. We generally use a standard 30%/70% mix, but can change this to meet your needs. Most of our collection comes with a polypropylene backing, but we do have limited options without it for brands that want a 100% plastic-free product.
Stylish and highly popular, this material offers a top-end aesthetic with a smoother finish, allowing for better branding if your designs are all about the finer details. And, while most of them are also fitted with a polypropylene backing, there are plain alternatives.
Personalisation techniques that will set the bar
One of the key benefits of a good tote is its advertising capabilities. Literally serving as a walking billboard, you have the opportunity to create images and messaging that connect your audience with your brand.
Locality options
At WBC, you can have your bags branded locally or in India, the latter being part of our bespoke offering. Here’s the difference between the two:
UK:
- Print and delivery within 7 to 10 working days
- Minimum order of 100 bags
- Good quality
- More expensive
- Printing is done on the finished product
India:
- Print and delivery within 16 to 18 weeks
- Minimum order of 1000 bags depending on the technique
- Excellent quality
- Extremely cost effective
- Opt to print edge-to-edge and on the gusset before the bag is sewn together
More details are outlined below.
With several effective options available, here’s what you need to know before you decide which route to take.
Screen printing
Screen printing is the most common branding technique and offers both cost efficiency and the fastest turnaround time.
The good-to-knows:
- Available in India and the UK (Ts and Cs apply)
- Printing available edge-to-edge and on the gussets (India only)
- Select up to 6 colours for cotton, 3 for jute and 4 for juco
- Ideal for large-volume orders
- Best choice if your designs are simple and bold
- Very durable results.
Digital printing
This is relatively inexpensive to do and is the best choice if you’re looking for flawless results.
The good-to-knows:
- Available in India only (Ts and Cs apply)
- Design is printed onto each panel for edge-to-edge results
- Has an upmarket look and feel
- There are no colour restrictions
- Perfect for low-volume orders and highly detailed artwork
- Best done on cotton or jute
- Colours are not as vivid as screen prints and transfers.
Transfers
Transfer print is plastic or rubber-based, making it the most expensive (and least popular) option available.
The good-to-knows:
- It is available in the UK and India, but is much more expensive if you opt for the latter
- There are no colour restrictions
- The print results are vibrant and highly detailed
- Ideal for small, fast orders
- It is less durable and does not fit in with sustainability protocols.
Embroidery
While this produces a high-end aesthetic, it’s not suitable for all types of bags, so make sure you’re familiar with all the pros and cons before you go this route.
The good-to-knows:
- Available in the UK and India (Ts and Cs apply), but cheaper if you opt for the latter
- Highly effective on cotton and juco but, although doable, not ideal for jute
- Cost depends on the number of stitches, so the bigger the artwork, the more you’ll pay.
Please note:
We can only provide an accurate quote for all of the above once we’ve seen the size, colour and complexity of the artwork. Fill out our online form and our sales experts will get back to you.
Other ways to customise your tote bags
If you’re looking for a completely bespoke product, there are several ways we can help you. Bear in mind that these design alterations will result in a 16 to 18-week lead time, so make sure you plan your seasonal campaigns well in advance.
Create a bag using your own dimensions to ensure that they suit your purpose.
Add a zip for extra safety.
Opt for an internal pocket to house personal items like wallets and keys.
Include either leather or both long and short straps for efficient carrying.
Mitigate moisture by adding a pocket for your water bottle on the outside of the design.
Our experts are here to help
With a dedicated account manager looking after your orders and thirty years of experience under our belts, we’re here to make sure you always get the best results. This is what you can expect from us:
- Specialist advice – we know all the ins and outs of our industry.
- Free design – we’ll help you with your artwork at no cost.
- World-class results - we work with reputable suppliers to ensure your bags are sustainable, durable and of excellent quality.
- Fast turn-around times – We'll find solutions that work with your deadlines.
Call us now and let’s get weaving
