Why Promotional Bags Remain An Effective Marketing Tool For Businesses

The promotional bag has always been a bestseller when it comes to merchandise for businesses, especially for those looking to advertise a particular product or service. It has many appealing qualities that set it apart from other merchandise items and make it an effective tool for marketing which is why it remains such a popular choice across all industries. 

The biggest attraction for many businesses is the affordability and cost-effectiveness of these printed products. When bulk-buying a large volume of promotional bags and printing them at one time, the cost per impression for each one works out to be extremely low; especially when you consider that one bag has the potential to be seen by over 3,000 people during its lifetime. 

This can make it a more economical method of marketing than pay-per-click ads on search engines and paid social media campaigns as there are no on-going costs involved either. 

The impression impact of printed event bags is unrivalled 

In terms of the overall impact and reach of custom printed bags, they are comparable to a walking billboard for your business and message. Rather than sitting idly at a bus stop or on the side of a building where it is seen by more or less the same people who pass by it every day, when printed on a bag, your advert will travel wherever the wearer takes it. This means that when they’re commuting to work, going for a walk in the park, having lunch with friends or shopping, your promotional bag might be right by their side for everyone to see. 

Other than custom apparel, there is no other promotional merchandise that gets as much visibility and has the potential to build as much brand awareness as a company event bag.

Additionally, promotional bags provide a large surface area for printing which enables businesses to display a clear message that isn’t restricted by size limitations. 

This means that you can add as much information as you need to the bag, including contact details and calls to action, and not just your brand name and logo. It can be particularly useful for start-ups and lesser known businesses that are not instantly recognisable by name or branding. 

Add your contact details to your custom printed bags

By having the ability to include a tagline, website address or any other additional details about your business on a promotional bag, you can create a more effective and informative marketing campaign that produces instant results and engagement.

Whatsmore, it is proven that promotional bags are not only great for gaining and leaving a lasting impression on new customers but they help retain existing customers too. 

It’s an easy way to reward customer loyalty and show those who are supporting your business that you care and value their custom. 

Printed jute bags make the ultimate client gift for retention

Promotional jute bags can be gifted to customers that place a certain number of orders, spend a minimum amount of money with you or when they buy a specific purchase. This marketing method is known as ‘gift with purchase’ and promotional bags are quite commonly used in this way.

Then there is the sustainability aspect. promotional eco bags are made from eco-friendly materials and can be reused hundreds of times; hence, they encourage more sustainable living by reducing the use of harmful single-use plastic bags. 

When your business invests in custom-printed bags as a marketing tool, you are presenting it in a positive light - as a business that takes their corporate social responsibilities seriously by opting for eco-friendly promotional products.

What we love most about promotional bags is that there are so many options which enable you to create something on-brand and perfectly targeted towards your audience. You can make small jute bags for client gifting or large cotton tote bags that can be resold in shops at point-of-sale as a green alternative to plastic bags. 

Custom printed bags for practical use

You can even opt for printed laptop cases to distribute to young professionals or drawstring bags if you are targeting athletes and gym-goers. There are no limits when it comes to what you can do with custom branded bags just give some thought to the day to day use of the receiver.

Why invest in promotional drawstring Bags

Printed drawstring bags are growing in popularity as a branded merchandise option for businesses, especially when trying to appeal to students or gym-goers. The convenience and ease of using a drawstring bag cannot be overlooked which is why it remains a popular style of bag for those who are always on-the-go. 

As a promotional bag, branded drawstring bags align perfectly with the messaging of many fitness, travel and fashion brands. 

Smaller drawstring bags, in the form of pouches, also work well as sustainable branded packaging for products such as cosmetics, jewellery, candles and soaps. 

There are a wide range of options beyond sizing when it comes to creating a promotional drawstring bag for your business. 

From cotton and jute to RPET, you can make a drawstring bag out of almost any sustainable material; each having their own benefits.

You can also dye the bag to match your corporate colours and make a promotional bag that you are proud to have represent your business.

How to pick the perfect printed bag for your audience

There is such a vast range of marketing bag types and materials that you can choose from when designing a promotional bag for your business. It can be difficult to know which is the most suitable for your needs.

You’ll first need to consider what the main purpose of the bag is and who it is you want to target, then you can select a style and material that best complements those elements. 

For example, if you want to create a printed tote bag that you can distribute at a networking event for the beauty industry then you will require a bag that is cost-effective, multi-functional and will appeal to this audience. In this case, a cosmetic bag or a stylish cotton tote that has been custom-printed with your branding is the perfect candidate. 

Here is a closer look at the forever popular printed cotton shopper bag

Promotional cotton tote bags are always the best place to start if you are delving into the world of promotional bags for the first time. This is due to the fact that they appeal to everyone so they are a safe option, they are multifunctional which increases how often they are likely to be used, and they are the most affordable type of bag to manufacture and are available in a huge range of colours, sizes and handle combinations. 

You’ll often find printed cotton shoppers being distributed at events, such as university freshers’ week or trade shows, where they can be filled with even more gifted merchandise. They have also become a popular alternative to the single-use plastic bags at checkouts in retail stores since the introduction of the charge. Customers are eager to find a more affordable and convenient bag for their purchases and printed cotton shoppers are the ideal choice.

The customisability means that you can create something original for your business that stands out from competitors. You can make a cotton shopper with or without gussets, you can add coloured handles and you can even dye the bag to match your corporate colours and align it with your branding.

You could consider eco cotton printed tote bags

If you want to take an even more eco-friendly route with your promotional bag, then an organic cotton or recycled cotton shopper is your best option. Both materials are even more sustainable than cotton and the finished fabric is usually stronger and softer too. 

Branded cotton shoppers are most suitable for screen printing and transfer print for more complex designs, and the weight options available start at 5oz and go up to 10oz with the most popular being 7oz cotton. 

Company Printed Jute Bags

If you are looking for a promotional bag that has a more premium feel, then custom jute bags fit that description. They are slightly more hard-wearing and durable than cotton shoppers yet still lightweight and stylish so perfect for everyday use. 

This strength gives them the added advantages of being able to carry more weight and having a slightly longer lifespan which means they can gain even more impressions over their lifetime. 

The most common use for promotional jute bags is as a reusable gift bag that can either be sold in retail/gifting stores or used as a gift with purchase opportunity. They work particularly well as bottle bags for wineries and bars, and even better when gifting customers or clients at events because of how well they hold their shape.  

There are also a large range of size options so that you can create one that is suitable for your needs. A promotional mini jute gift bag is great for small gifts and party favours whilst a large jute tote is ideal for shopping and travel. 

You can even get creative with the print and colours to make a promotional jute bag that has a big impact on the recipient. You can add some rustic charm with a single colour print, or coloured trims, such as gussets and handles, to match your branding. 

Much like cotton, jute is a wonderfully sustainable material that boasts many eco-credentials from being grown without the use of any harmful chemicals to being biodegradable and 100% recyclable.

By investing in promotional bags made from jute, you can present your business in a positive light; as one that is taking active steps to embrace sustainable business practices and encourage greener living

Advertise your brand in the summer with promotional cooler Bags

It may seem like more of a novelty merchandise gift than other types of promotional bags; however, custom printed cooler bags are highly impactful when done right. 

They may not be a bag that gets used every day and for all occasions but they provide a unique, practical purpose that will always make them a household essential. 

Cooler bags are lined with insulation that keeps the contents inside cold for a long period of time. This makes them the ideal summer bag for picnics and day trips, or they can even be designed for the more specific use of being a can cooler or a lunch bag.

This provides businesses with a broad range of audiences to appeal to when creating cooler bags including students and school children, commuters, families and those that love to travel.  

Whether being sold as a single product or as a part of a gift set, cooler bags are high value item that can be kept and reused for many years. This gives you an opportunity to make some revenue whilst promoting your brand through a promotional product. 

Once again, there are a few eco-friendly options when creating a promotional cooler bag with sustainable materials, such as canvas and jute, plus the 6 can cooler bag made from recycled materials

When it comes to promotional tote bags why not explore foldable bags?

Convenience and originality is key when it comes to making a promotional bag that gets results, and there is nothing that brings the two together better than printed foldable tote bags. 

These are celebrated for their practicality as shopping bags that can be folded up into a small pouch and tucked away into a handbag or stored tidily in a house or car. They are far easier to carry around discreetly when not in use which makes them a preferred choice for many shoppers.

As a promotional bag option, they are highly effective too. 

You garner the same benefits as a traditional reusable tote bag but with the added benefit of being easier to travel with and less likely to be forgotten at home when going out.

A promotional foldable bag will give you the edge over competitors who are sticking to the classic totes.

Custom printed paper bags

A paper bag is a more traditional choice and is especially popular within the food industry at the checkout. They are more eco-friendly and durable than plastic, and they are more affordable and suitable than cotton or jute bags. 

Paper bags are also the ultimate gift bag for product launches, executive gifting and events. There is something about this traditional type of promotional bag that has familiarity to it. When you are handed one, you know its purpose and you know that there will be something inside of it. 

Even though they are highly affordable when purchased at volume, they can still have a luxe-feel especially when laminated or when you add rope handles for more strength. 

You also have the customisability aspect being that paper bags are ideal for full colour print.

You brand on view internationally with custom printed travel Bags

Travel bags come in many forms. It is a broad category within promotional bags that covers everything from promotional shoulder bags and promotional backpacks to printed toiletry cases and branded holdalls. 

This makes it a hugely exciting option for promotional bags because the options seem truly endless and you are sure to find something that will appeal to your audience and elevate your brand appropriately. 

For example, cosmetic companies can use branded toiletries bags as packaging for their products or sports and fitness brands can sell printed holdalls in their store. 

The end result is a promotional bag that will travel far and wide with the owner from short commutes to holidays abroad. This will get your brand name in front of a large audience from all over the world.

Why is promotional merchandise important?

In a world where consumers are inundated with adverts at every turn, whether they are watching TV, scrolling through social media or checking their emails, promotional merchandise has remained an effective marketing method. 

When you provide your audience with a custom-printed product that is practical and high-quality, they will keep it and use it for months, even years, to come. This leaves them with a positive impression of your business and serves as a constant reminder to them that you exist. 

Whenever they are making their morning coffee in your branded mug, or doing their weekly grocery shop with your printed tote bag, they are (subconsciously) being made aware of your business, so when the time comes that they need your product or services, you are likely to be the first name that comes to mind. 

Essentially, it all goes a long way towards helping you establish your brand identity and build brand recognition. 

Promotional merchandise not only helps attract new customers but can help retain existing ones too. It is essential that businesses form a loyal base of customers and showing them your appreciation through gifted merchandise can be a simple way to achieve that. 

It is a small gesture which shows them that you care about them and value their support which will keep them coming back and increase the possibility of them recommending your business to others.

Hence, the importance of promotional merchandise should not be overlooked no matter the industry or the audience that you are trying to appeal to. There should always be a place for promotional products in your business.

Promotional bags with a purpose and wide appeal

We supply the UK’s largest online selection of promotional products including printed bags.

Our high-quality collection of promotional bags includes all those mentioned above and much more, such as laptop cases, briefcases and trolley cases. 

Within each category, you can customise every bag with, not only your bespoke artwork, but colours and materials that enable you to make something truly unique and fitting for your business.

Speak to The Branded Company team of merchandise experts!