Promotional Bags – Overview

The costs for producing promotional shopping bags and organic backpack bags as promotional items vary depending on the design and extras selected. Depending on your budget or intended use, one or the other bag variant may be more suitable for you. We would be happy to advise you on your available budget and the price differences between the possible versions.

Delivery times, however, are uniform and are usually:

The models listed differ primarily in their material and in their shape and size. We offer our standard models in predefined standard shapes and in fixed sizes that have proven to be optimal in practice. They are therefore suitable for a variety of purposes.

Of course, you can also have us produce each bag variant in your own individual size. Or even more, in your own special shape as an individual special production, with unlimited design freedom.

To give you a better feel for the dimensions, here are three proven sizes in relation to a common everyday object.

Size examples:

The shape of your shoulder bag is not only influenced by the appearance of the flat front and back, but also by the number of dimensions, folds and side walls. You can choose between a normal, flat shopping bag, a fabric bag with an additional bottom/bottom fold or a trade fair bag with both an additional bottom and additional side walls/side folds. The more dimensions, the more volume and storage space.

Example of Eco-Bag with additional bottom / bottom fold (2 dimensions):

Example of eco-bag with additional bottom (bottom fold) and additional side walls / side folds (3 dimensions):

When producing your individual promotional bag as a promotional item, we can provide it with various options and extras. In addition to the possibility of equipping the shoulder bag with extraordinary extras, the following standard options are also available to you:

_Handles / grips / cords / loops / carrying straps:

You can choose the type and material of the handles, the length and even the number. Choose between short, normal, long or extra-long handles that are suitable for carrying over the shoulder. Whether made of cotton, nylon or PP non-woven material. Whether flat or round, thin or thick, two or four. No matter what, you decide!

Examples of standard handle lengths:

Example of handle variant “Comfort cotton handles / Short + Thick”:

Example of handle variant “Comfort cotton handles / Medium + Thin”:

Handle options: Four handles in two sizes and adjustable shoulder strap:

_Option Extra Closure:

A useful additional feature is to have the Cityshopper made with a top closure. This can be done using a simple metal snap fastener, a Velcro fastener or a sturdy zipper.

Example of a cotton bag with practical Velcro fastener:

As previously mentioned, the material used is the most striking distinguishing factor when producing promotional tote bags as a giveaway. We also offer you a range of options here. The materials differ in terms of appearance, feel, robustness and, of course, price.

The most common materials are:

• Cotton / Canvas
  • Generally OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified (20.HIN.08975 HOHENSTEIN HTTI)
  • Optional organic cotton, GOTS and or FAIR TRADE certified
• jute
  • Optional jute-cotton blend
  • Generally OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified (20.HIN.08975 HOHENSTEIN HTTI)
  • Optional organic jute, FAIR TRADE and GOTS certified
• PP Non Woven / Nonwoven Fabric
  • 100% recyclable
• PP Woven
  • Conventional, 100% recyclable
  • Optionally recycled, made from 100% RPET / rePET / recycled material (see below)
• Recycled bag / R-PET bag / Base material PP Woven
  • Made from 100% recycled material / from old PET plastic bottles

Examples of different material properties of permanent bags:

All materials are characterized by a high load-bearing capacity, high-quality workmanship and an optimal price-performance ratio. Detailed properties, differences as well as advantages and disadvantages of the individual materials are listed below:

_ Cotton / Canvas / Cotton Twill
Shopping bags made of cotton, for example as promotional items, are the most frequently chosen option by our customers. Cotton is a natural raw material and gives a pleasant, sustainable and ecological impression both visually and haptically. Fabric bags have a high load-bearing capacity, they are very durable, they can be folded up very compactly and are easy to clean in the washing machine. All finishing techniques are available for applying logos to cotton bags: screen printing, offset printing, thermal transfer printing, sublimation printing, embroidery and the attachment of a woven label with your company logo.

_ Organic Cotton)
The use of organic cotton instead of conventional cotton is a big step forward in terms of sustainability. Strict requirements in the areas of environmental protection, resource savings, production safety as well as ethical and social aspects apply to the most important ecological programs and certifications such as FAIR TRADE, GOTS, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 as well as BSCI and BUREAU VERITAS. Our entire supply chain meets all requirements and is continuously and successfully tested. HAPPY BRANDS itself is certified and holds its own license numbers such as GOTS with the license number: BCS 27677 and FAIRTRADE COTTON with the FLOID: 37716. This authorizes us to produce organic promotional bags, GOTS cotton bags and Fairtrade fabric bags with GOTS and Fairtrade seals and to distribute them to our customers.

_ Jute
Even more so than cotton, the natural fiber jute has an even more environmentally friendly image. For a long time, jute shopping bags, e.g. as corporate gifts, have become very popular. They have become really hip and trendy. And for good reason. Made from a pure, natural raw material, they are also environmentally friendly in production, have a low water footprint and are completely biodegradable within just 1-2 years. They cannot be folded up as compactly as the cotton versions, but they offer significantly more stability in the side walls and the base element. Due to the harder structure of jute bags, embroidery is not possible, but inexpensive printing with your logo is possible using all printing techniques (screen printing, offset printing, thermal transfer printing, sublimation printing), as is adding an additional logo label to the promotional gift.

_ PP Non Woven / Nonwoven
The starting material is the same for PP non-woven and PP woven. In both cases, polypropylene (PP) is processed. The difference, however, is the way in which it is processed. Here, with the non-woven variant, the synthetic fibers are not woven, as the name suggests. Instead, the material is cast in a special process and pressed into a fine honeycomb structure. The result is a material that feels very light, pleasantly soft and "fabric-like". Produced in this way, such a permanent bag can be made smaller more easily than the woven variant described below. However, due to the surface with its honeycomb pattern, not all printing processes are suitable for individual advertising printing. Only screen printing is available. This material variant is not suitable for logo motifs with color gradients or even photorealistic prints.

Unless you apply an additional lamination to the pressed non-woven material. Then you get a smooth surface that is suitable as a base for all other printing techniques, such as offset, thermal and sublimation printing, and even photo printing. However, this would mean that the "fabric-like" character of the non-woven material would be lost again.

It is not correct to say that PP non-woven bags are less environmentally friendly as promotional items than cotton bags, for example. Although cotton and jute are biodegradable, unlike the synthetic fiber polypropylene (PP) used here, both PP non-woven and PP woven bags can be recycled. The recycling network in Europe is excellently developed for this purpose. While jute bags and fabric bags often end up in household waste after their useful life and are ultimately burned, the recycled PP nonwoven bags and PP woven bags are used to make plastic again in order to produce useful objects.

_ PP Woven
As described for the non-woven variant, the raw material used here is also polypropylene (PP). Unlike above, however, the synthetic fibers are not pressed, but woven. This creates an extremely robust and load-bearing woven structure. The load-bearing capacity is maximum with this manufacturing process. But the feel is also different. While non-woven bags without additional lamination still feel like a type of fabric, this material has more of a plastic character. However, this is combined with a very smooth, clean surface structure. This has the advantage that any motif and logo template can be reproduced. No matter how delicate or fine the color gradients are, even photorealistic motifs can be printed on the woven material without any compromises. Other advantages of non-woven shopping bags as customer gifts, with their very smooth surfaces: They are grease and water repellent, food safe and extremely durable. This makes them ideal for everyday shopping and transporting groceries or heavy bottles, etc. Overall, both the non-woven bags and the woven PP bags are more robust, more durable and lighter than conventional cotton bags. In addition, the smooth surfaces can be cleaned effortlessly by simply wiping them down, even with water.

As already mentioned with the give-away non-woven bags, these PP woven bags are no less environmentally friendly than their natural fiber variants. The material used is 100% recyclable. Instead of simply being burned at the end, new recycled items can be made from it. This also makes this bag variant sustainable and therefore also ideal as an advertising medium for environmentally conscious clients and their customers.

_ R-PET / from recycled / PET bottle material
Merchandising recycling bags, also known as R-PET nonwoven bags, go one step further towards environmental protection, environmental friendliness and sustainability. These are made from a high proportion of previously recycled, commercially available PET bottles. The properties such as robustness and load capacity, as well as the nature of the surface, are similar to the material of PP WOVEN shopping bags. So fine, smooth, water and grease repellent, food safe, easy to clean. And an ideal printing surface for all kinds of motifs, including the finest structures and contours, including photorealistic implementations without compromises. After the period of use, recycled R-PET woven bags can also be recycled into 100%. Accordingly, they are right at the top of the eco scale.

The promotional bags we produce, for example as trade fair items, are of high product quality. The promotional items you order are manufactured with the utmost care. Particular attention is paid to areas that are particularly noticeable visually and haptically, and clean workmanship is guaranteed. This applies to the seams, the advertising prints and applied motifs, as well as any piping and hems. With us, you receive a high-quality merchandise item that conveys and reinforces the positive image of your brand.

Detailed shots of the high-quality workmanship in particularly visually and haptically striking areas of a permanent promotional bag:

An important factor for the individualization of your promotional shopping bag or organic gym bag made especially for you as a customer gift is of course the color. No matter what material your city shopper is made of, every material is suitable for exact coloring according to Pantone. This way you can ensure that the promotional gift matches your house color, corporate identity or the color scheme of your current advertising campaign exactly. The coloring can also be a unique selling point. With your own look, in your desired color, you can easily stand out from other advertisers and stand out more or less clearly depending on the color you choose.

However, there is nothing wrong with leaving the jute bag in a natural color. Depending on your own company image, your advertising message or advertising intention, this may even be the most effective and appropriate design. Especially in today's times, when sustainability and awareness of resources and the environment are more firmly anchored in the minds of many target groups than ever before, fabric bags in natural colors have a positive reputation and are perceived by their recipients as pleasant, ecologically responsible and contemporary. In terms of cost, undyed jute bags are also cheaper than those individually colored according to Pantone.

Whether and how you color is ultimately up to you and should depend on what your intended purpose is, the type of brand message you want to convey and the desired advertising effect of your individual giveaway item.

We print your individually produced promotional shopping bag with high quality and at a reasonable price with your own logo, advertising motif, company name, band logo, club crest or with an advertising text, campaign slogan or other personalized label. Whether it is a cotton bag, jute bag or PP non-woven trade fair bag, we basically offer you all common printing processes for branding.

In addition, you can have your Give Away permanent bags refined in two other ways: by means of embroidery and by attaching a small label with fine, detailed weaving of your company advertising.

Depending on the material you choose for your shopper and your available budget, one finishing technique may be more suitable than the other. Below is an overview of the available options:

_ Screen printing
The most common printing technique is screen printing. Along with thermal transfer printing, it is also the cheapest printing option. Screen printing can be used on all available materials, whether coarser fabrics such as cotton or jute, or on the smooth polypropylene (PP) material of woven and non-woven bags. Despite its low cost, screen printing is no less robust or precise. On the contrary, this technique enables an exact reproduction of your print template and is very durable and resistant to scratches or other wear and tear. This type of printing does not tolerate high temperatures in the washing machine (over 40°) very well, as this could cause your desired motif to fade.

Examples of promotional fabric bags printed with screen printed logo:

_ Thermal transfer printing
Thermo-transfer printing is just as inexpensive as screen printing. The results are also comparable. We only use this technique for cotton bags and jute bags. Here, too, your advertising logo is applied directly to the surface. The printing area is a little more translucent than is the case with screen printing. The underlying surface structure is somewhat visible here, so it appears a little more translucent, but this in turn means that the print is embedded more harmoniously in the overall advertising bag product. It can therefore appear a little more harmonious than is the case with very opaque and strong screen printing.
Comparable in terms of robustness. Which technology you choose is a matter of personal discretion, it is purely a matter of taste which look you prefer for your planned marketing project.

Examples of promotional cotton bags printed with thermal transfer logo:

_ Sublimation printing / photo printing
We use this printing technique exclusively on PP woven and PP non-woven bags. Their smooth, fine surface enables the use of this type of printing. Sublimation printing reproduces your motif template extremely precisely, cleanly and with true colors. The complexity and filigree of your print template is not important. No matter how small and fine the logo elements are, no matter how fine the color transitions, sublimation printing can implement any template one-to-one and reproduce it perfectly. Even photo motifs can be implemented. This printing technique is ideal for full-surface printing of your permanent or trade fair bag. The motif or logo print is indestructible. It cannot be scratched off or washed out and is guaranteed to last the entire life of the advertising non-woven bag itself undamaged, without any negative visual changes.

Examples of promotional bags printed with advertising motifs using sublimation printing:

_ Woven label / label with woven logo or lettering
In addition to the option of customizing your promotional bag to promote sales by printing your desired logo, company name or other advertising, there are two other options for branding. A classic embroidery and the attachment of a small label. Your desired text or company logo is finely woven into the label. It is then sewn onto a prominent or discreet part of the event item. This gives an ordinary promotional shopper additional visual value and conveys your brand message on the premium item in an unobtrusive way.

Example of promo fabric bag with logo or lettering as woven label / tag / web label:

_ Embroidery
Another finishing technique is embroidery. As with other textile advertising media, the logo template is embroidered directly into the material of the trade fair giveaway. This is the most costly and time-consuming finishing option, but it also delivers the highest quality result. However, lettering and motifs can only be embroidered onto fabric versions of shopping bags. PP woven and non-woven bags are not suitable because of the material used. Nor are very detailed motif templates with graphic elements or color gradients that are too small.

Your design freedom does not end with the creation of the advertising shopper in your very own company look. It extends even further, right up to the packaging of the company gift. Depending on the intended use and area of application and the available budget, one or another packaging variant may be suitable. There are no limits here either. If you have something unusual or something that does not yet exist in mind, we can develop it further with you and realize it for you.

Popular common packaging options are:

• Not individually packed. Bundled in 10 / 25 / 50 pieces in an export carton
• Individually packed in a polybag. Optional with:
  • Oppression
  • Additional sticker / decal
  • Inserted flyer / insert / information sheet. For example for competitions or promotions
• In high-quality cardboard packaging. Natural or fully printed in multiple colors
• Individual packaging, completely according to customer specifications

We act as a manufacturer of shopping bags as promotional items for you. This is linked to the important responsibility of ensuring that production is ethically and environmentally sound and flawless. We have both working conditions and the entire production process, including the processing and procurement of raw materials, checked continuously and proven by test results and certificates. We work exclusively with large, internationally operating and globally recognized organizations and institutes.

Existing BSCI and BUREAU VERITAS Certifications, for example, prove that the existing working conditions are correct. They guarantee that work is carried out in our production facilities exclusively under socially acceptable conditions. This affects many aspects of the investigation, from employee safety, working hours and wages, general production conditions, to the guarantee that no forced or child labour is used in these plants. Regular audits and personal assessments of the production facilities on site ensure that the people who produce your mass advertising material for you are guaranteed to do so under ethical and occupational safety-related compliant conditions.

Other certificates and tests from laboratories and testing institutes prove the material safety and the harmlessness of the raw materials and materials used. The products are tested for harmful substances in a complex manner, including according to the REACH Regulation. Both in terms of the environment and in terms of the health of the people who will later receive your customer gift and use it in their everyday lives.

The most important and recognized ones are to be mentioned here, such as GOTS, FAIR TRADE, and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certifications. Their positive test results and certificates guarantee a high production standard and testify to the flawless and unquestionable quality of our produced corporate gift items.

We will be happy to send you relevant receipts, certificates and quality seals upon request.

City bags as additional items are very useful items and are used by your customers often and with pleasure in everyday life. They have a real and helpful function, so they are not one-time or disposable items and are used over a longer period of time. The uses for your customers are just as varied as the possible shapes, sizes and textures of the promotional shoulder bags.

Starting with fabric bags in small formats, which can be given out by pharmacies, small boutiques, bookstores or cafes and pastry shops, for example. Through to jute bags in normal sizes, which are ideal for shopping, whether for everyday use or when shopping for clothes and shoes. The shopping bag can be designed and implemented in a very inconspicuous, very chic or very striking way.

Specially made trade fair bags, with their special shape and extra-long handles for carrying over the shoulder, allow trade fair visitors to carry them comfortably and to easily and quickly stow and remove trade fair catalogues and production samples from trade fair stands without having to put the trade fair bag down.

So-called messenger bags are also worn over the shoulder and have an additional flap for closing. This allows documents, notebooks or tablets to be transported safely and discreetly and to be easily put in or taken out.

Extra large shoulder bags are ideal for travelling, for trips to the beach or for picnics in green spaces or in the city park. Their large dimensions mean they offer extra storage space for all the items you need for a day trip or a particularly long day of shopping. Picnic blankets, drinks, food, paperbacks, sunscreen, mini speakers - everything fits in a promotional carrying bag, which makes it a great and popular companion for such trips.

Shopping bags are tried and tested, very frequently used and absolutely proven advertising, merchandise and event promotion products and are proven to be used in many different areas to promote sales and strengthen brands and images. Depending on the design, they can be used and distributed in different areas and in different ways.
In an inexpensive version, fabric bags are ideal as giveaways, promotional items or event items. For distribution and handing out at large events, regardless of whether they have a sporting (city run, city marathon, company run, etc.), musical (music festivals, concerts, open air events, etc.) or cultural background (city festivals, fairs, etc.).

Also inexpensive, but specially designed for use at trade fairs, meetings and conventions, shoulder bags are practical trade fair items and trade fair giveaways. They are well received by your target group and are immediately used to store catalogues and samples. The effectiveness of your external presentation is immediately increased and reinforced beyond your trade fair stand and is also conveyed after the end of the trade fair.

In more elaborate designs, for example as a visually and tactilely appealing jute bag, inexpensive promotional items become attractive giveaways, corporate gifts or customer presents. Or, in the right packaging variant, fully-fledged sales and merchandising products.

No matter what kind of shopping bags you have us make, no matter what purpose or area you want to use them for, in all cases such shoulder bags are welcome items and are openly and gratefully received by your recipients. First and foremost because they have such a useful function and are often needed by everyone. The service life is significantly longer than with normal promotional items. Your advertising message, your company logo, your product slogan is thus conveyed to the public over a long period of time. And thanks to the large advertising space, it is always clearly visible. Your product or brand message is burned into the wearer's memory, which has a positive effect on your company image. It is also shown to others, you increase the awareness of your company and can win new customers. Overall, promotional city bags provide a very sustainable advertising effect and strengthen customer loyalty to your company in the long term. And all this at an ideal price-performance ratio.

With a shopping bag that is individually manufactured and branded with your company logo, you get a very versatile, long-lasting and effective promotional gift. It scores with a high utility value for your customer or recipient. The practical function of the shopping companion when transporting and storing is needed in many places and at many times. In addition, the reusability and, ideally, an attractive appearance ensure that carrier bags as a company gift have a long useful life and, with their long-term advertising effectiveness, ensure optimal value for money.

In addition to their durability, permanent bags also score points as merchandising items when it comes to customization. You receive your personal version directly from the manufacturer. This means that you can also design your item completely, and you enjoy design options without any restrictions. The large printable advertising space makes this product an ideal, sustainable advertising medium with a high advertising reach through frequent presentation and use in public. Your applied advertising is always clearly visible.

As an advertiser, you therefore receive a very high and long-term benefit and advertising effect for your money. What's more, with permanent bags you get an ecological alternative to disposable plastic bags and thus a corporate gift that is sustainable, which in turn is very contemporary and respected. This positive sympathy effect can spill over to your brand, your company or your advertised product because it is associated with it in the long term. And that is good in two ways: good for your advertising purpose and your marketing strategy and good for the environment.

With us you get a complete, worry-free package. We accompany you competently from the first idea to delivery to you or your customer. The procedure is as follows:

First, there is a short briefing. We advise you, we help you to further develop and implement your own idea. And we give our recommendation as to which version with which properties best suits your objectives, the intended area of application and the available budget.

You will then receive our offer specifically calculated for your case with our best prices.

At the same time, we will create a meaningful visualization of your promotional bag to be produced free of charge, if required also including several design variants for you to choose from.

Once the order has been placed, we begin sample production. This will be completed after approximately 3-5 days and your personal samples will be ready for approval.

Once you have approved your sample, mass production begins under constant and precise quality control at all important work stages.

The next step is assembly, which we do exactly according to your specifications.

For larger productions, in addition to the normal final inspections at the production site, an extensive inspection lasting several days is carried out by internationally renowned testing institutes such as TÜV Rheinland.

This is followed by the import and professional customs clearance of your ordered goods, and a final quality check and inspection on site in Hamburg.

Finally, your produced promotional shopping bags will either be stored for you or sent directly to you via UPS or a shipping company, neutrally to your customer or directly to an event.

During all these steps, you do not have to worry about anything, that is what we are there for and we will ensure that you receive your ordered goods reliably, on time and exactly as you created and ordered.