If you are opening a new shop or preparing for an exhibition, choosing your printed bags early will give you more choice over the size, material, print and quantity, while avoiding a last-minute rush.
There is a lot to organise when launching a new retail business or preparing for an exhibition. Displays, stock, signage, brochures and everything else need to be ready on time. Printed bags can sometimes be left until quite late in the process, even though they are an important part of how your brand is presented. They are often the only physical item that stays with your customer; hopefully being kept in their home and if you get this right; will also be reused and keep on embedding your brand and products or services into their lives.
Here are some of the questions we think are worth asking before placing an order.
What do you need the bags for?
This sounds obvious, but it is the best place to start. A bag for a retail shop needs to be suitable for carrying the products you sell, whereas a bag for an exhibition may mainly be used for brochures, samples and other items visitors collect during the day.
Think about what needs to fit inside the bag and how much weight it needs to carry. Measuring your products, catalogues or brochures before choosing a size can save you from ordering bags that are either too small or much larger than necessary.
You should also consider how the bag will be used afterwards. At an exhibition, a useful bag is more likely to be kept and reused, giving your brand further exposure as visitors move around the venue and take it home.
Our printed paper bags are available in a wide range of styles, from economical twisted-handle bags through to more premium rope-handle options.
What do you want the bags to say about your business?
Your bag is part of your brand. For a new shop, it may be the last thing a customer sees when they leave. At an exhibition, it can be seen by many people who have never spoken to you.
The choice of paper, handle, colour and print can therefore make quite a difference. A luxury retailer may want a heavier paper with a quality rope handle, while a business attending a busy exhibition may prefer something lightweight and practical.
It is also worth considering the materials you use. We can offer FSC-certified paper options, recycled polythene and other materials, allowing you to consider the bag alongside your wider approach to packaging and sustainability.
Finally the design; make the most of your bag; align it with your brand. Our team can really help you get the full value and potential; utilising the whole bag where sense for messaging however loud or subtle. So often we see bags and so many opportunities wasted; often at no additional cost.
When should you order your printed bags?
Our advice is simple: start earlier than you think you need to.
Before production, there is artwork to check, specifications to confirm and a proof to approve. The quantity and type of bag will also affect the production time. As a general guide, delivery for personalised bags can be between two and six weeks from proof approval, although some options are quicker.
If you have a fixed date for a shop opening, exhibition or launch event, tell us at the beginning of the enquiry. It means we can look at the most suitable options for your deadline rather than trying to solve the problem at the last minute.
A little planning at the start crucially gives you a bag that is a lasting investment in your brand. Think about what they need to carry, how you want your brand represented, how many you need and when they must arrive.
We have been helping businesses best translate and align their brand onto the right bag for over thirty years. We are always happy to discuss options and work with samples for you. It’s so important to get it right.
To find out more about our printed bags contact our friendly sales team on: 01234 675101 or click here to fill in a contact form.
Trusted in the industry for over 30 years.