With a change of season on its way, retailers have a unique opportunity to refresh their offerings and bring a new perspective to consumers who are in the mood for food. From redesigning your countertops to finding newly harvested produce, it’s all about embracing alfresco living, encouraging sales and enhancing your visibility. Which means you’ll need a fun new tote.
How fabric bags bring in the business
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, fabric bags are champs when it comes to getting your brand seen. And, thanks to the fashion industry, they’re one of the coolest accessories money can buy. At a very reasonable price, we might add.
Why do they work? Because they’re a commodity of convenience, meaning that they get carried around all over the show (for decades after they’ve been bought). And, whether they’re helping consumers bask on the beach, pump iron at the gym or lug their laptops to work, they’re most definitely being seen.
Furthermore, if you can get them trending, you’ll find that you have additional clout on socials, which will play a vital role in boosting popularity, encouraging user-generated content (UGC) and getting your brand to become the outlet of choice.
With that in mind, giving some serious consideration to your design is highly recommended, which is why we thought you might like some valuable insights from our expert fabric bag team.
Tote bag design ideas that top the charts
If you’re debating the direction to take for optimal visual impact our specialist designer, Celia Dipple, has her finger on the pulse and advocates that the latest trends are leaning towards a style referred to as ‘minimalist maximism’.
“Think clean lines mixed with bold hues, huge typography and retro patterns. If you want to create vibrant fabric bags that stand out, I’d recommend using between two and five highly contrasting (but complementary) colours”. Her top tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment.
She goes on to say, “With the rise of AI, an appreciation for hand-drawn illustrations and traditional print-making techniques is having a comeback. Linocuts offer bold and organic lines, which look very striking when screen-printed on our totes, so invest in high-quality, eye-catching imagery that will make your brand stand out”.
Celia also mentioned that replicating textures in your designs emulates the personality that comes with human imperfection and resonate with audiences in a more nostalgic way. However, these kinds of concepts should be printed on our classic cotton totes rather than on the jute or juco range.
Additionally, using custom typography that reflects the personality and nature of your brand is a fun way to make sure that they get noticed.
We also suggest:
- impactful messaging that communicates your company ethos
- including your logo and primary contact details
- making sure your copy is in keeping with your marketing strategy.
Choosing the right fit
Providing your shoppers with a product that adds convenience to their overall in-store experience encourages brand loyalty and repeat trade. So, whatever your endeavours, make sure you cater to their needs.
Our highly experienced tote bag key account manager, Jess Porter, recommends that farm shops and delis should opt for thicker cotton and a larger ‘handbag’ shape.
“We know from experience that customers love parading them around, and they’re a great size for regular grocery shops. Our cotton range is just as durable as our larger jute market bag collection, but a little easier to carry over your shoulder”, she explains.
If you’re interested in this item, it’s available in four different colours – giving you the scope to pick out something vibrant for your new spring theme.
Jess also spoke about the benefits of choosing a design that will be handy well into the future.
“The minute the weather warms up, it’s marathon season. So it's worth thinking about long-term use, focusing on visibility and investing in something durable like our recycled canvas bag. It’s the perfect size for a large shopping spree and has an outer pocket that fits a water bottle, making it an added-value product for those that frequent the gym. It’s the type of tote that would be ideal for an edgy wine merchant, with the potential for customers to want to take it out and about for other purposes”. (Jess is a keen endurance runner on the weekends, so she knows her oats).
To make sure your fabric bag is the right fit:
- pick out the right size, shape and strength to accommodate your products
- find a style that suits your brand image
- opt for a colour that reflects the season you’re in.
Going the extra mile for something bespoke
While we have an outstanding range that can be overprinted in less than 10 days, bigger customers (like retail chains) often want to go the route of having something specially designed. And, because a tote is the easiest and most effective way of marketing your business, we couldn't agree more.
Here are some pointers from Joanne Pettit, our fabric bag manager, on why it’s a viable consideration:
“When you’re serious about your brand identity, it’s important to invest in a product that matches its your image, and a totally bespoke design allows you to create an impression that 100% supports that”, she explains.
“Because they’re sustainable, reusable and will shout about your business at shows, events and in your store, they’re definitely worth considering. However, for this type of order you’ll need four weeks to get the design and sample done and then you should allow 16 weeks for production and shipping”.
Our final advice
If you're thinking about a new tote to support your spring campaign, contact us today. Or chat to our team about some bespoke ideas in time for Christmas.
