The Ultimate Guide to Promotional Bag Materials

Promotional bags are popular at exhibitions, in retail environments and as classy accessories for sports and travel. They come in lots of styles, colours and materials to suit each environment. We've put together a list of the various bag materials on offer, along with the qualities and benefits of each to make it easier to make an informed choice.

Canvas / Cotton

The words canvas and cotton are often used interchangeably in the world of promotional bags as canvas material is typically made from cotton or linen. It is a tightly woven fabric that offers strength and a simple style. Canvas bags are usually un-dyed, for a natural, organic look.

Canvas material is used for drawstring bags, tote and shopping bags. The bags range from around 4oz in thickness to 12oz - the thicker the bag the more it costs, but the more durable it will be too!

Jute

Jute is a rough fibre that is woven into coarse threads to produce strong, sturdy bags. Like canvas material it is rarely dyed and looks best when left natural - this makes it ideal for promoting eco-friendly and environmental brands.

Picnic bags, totes and shoppers are three varieties of bag that come in jute material.

Microfibre

Microfibre is a synthetic fibre that is finer than one denier and is most commonly made from polyester and polyamides. It is a lightweight, durable fabric that is also water-repellent!

It can be printed, embroidered and heat embossed so is a very adaptable material. Shoe bags and makeup bags can be found in microfibre fabric.

Nonwoven

Nonwoven fabrics are, as their name suggests, not woven or knitted, but instead bonded together through mechanical and heat treatments. This makes them lightweight, generally weighing between 1 and 4 ounces. They are not as durable as other bag types, so are ideal for use as disposable shoppers - a great alternative to canvas totes.

Nonwoven bags come in a huge range of colours so will really make your branding stand out!

Nylon

Nylon is a thermoplastic material with a silky texture that is very resilient to abrasion and mould. This makes it a long-lasting material that customers can use again and again. Like nonwoven materials, nylon can be dyed in a huge range of colours

Cooler, drawstring, document and travel bags come in nylon material. Some rucksack types are also made from nylon.

Paper

Paper bags can have a gloss-laminated finish to give a high-end effect and extra durability. Or they can be made from recycled paper to promote environmentally conscious brands. Kraft brown paper bags suggest eco-friendly qualities, but paper bags can also be printed in up to full colour.

Paper is often used for shopping bags as it is a disposable material that can be given away by retail establishments to hold customers’ shopping.

Polyester

Polyester is an extremely strong material that is resistant to stretching and shrinking so polyester bags are perfect for giving as long-lasting gifts.

Many rucksacks, travel and sports bags are made from polyester. Document, laptop, beach, and shoe bags can also be found in polyester.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene, also sometimes written PP, is used for the classic plastic bags. The versatility of the material allows for either flexible or solid shopping bags that can be left clear or printed in full colour. Often biodegradable versions are possible for environmentally conscious companies at no extra cost.

Polypropylene is very lightweight and flexible and is found in shoppers, tote bags and carrier bags.

PVC

PVC fabric is a flexible plastic and is relatively low cost to produce, as well as being recyclable. This makes it perfect for both long-lasting gifts and giveaways. It can be transparent or opaque and comes in a wide variety of colours.

Toiletry bags and beach bags are often made from PVC as it is waterproof.

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If you need any more information regarding any of these materials, or have any questions about promotional bags in general, please get in touch and a promotional gifts specialist will advise and help you in any way they can.

As with all our corporate gifts our bag range can be customised and printed with your artwork, contact details and message. With promotional bags your logo will be visible to not only your customers, but passers by and people out and about too!