Retail Promotional Bags: An Intelligent Marketing Investment Posted on September 28, 2023 at 02:00 PM In the dynamic world of retail, staying ahead of the competition and leaving a memorable impression on customers is a constant challenge. As businesses strive to build their brand identity and connect with their target audience, one marketing tool has stood the test of time – promotional bags. These unassuming carriers are, in fact, powerful brand ambassadors that offer a range of benefits to retail stores. In this era of heightened competition and digital noise, this article delves into the compelling reasons why retail stores should embrace promotional bags as a smart and strategic marketing investment. From enhancing brand visibility to fostering customer loyalty and sustainability, the advantages are as diverse as the bags themselves. So, let’s explore why promotional bags are not just an accessory but a vital component of a successful retail marketing strategy. The Impact of Promotional Retail Bags Brand Visibility: When customers carry your branded bags through the streets or in their daily lives, they essentially become walking billboards for your store. The more visually appealing and durable the bag, the more it is used, increasing your brand’s exposure. Customer Loyalty: Gifting a high-quality, stylish bag to your customers fosters a sense of loyalty and appreciation. It shows that you value their patronage and are willing to invest in enhancing their shopping experience. Word-of-Mouth Marketing: An exceptional shopping bag can spark conversations. When customers receive compliments on their bags, they are likely to share their positive experiences with friends and family, thereby organically promoting your brand. Sustainability: Today’s eco-conscious world, opting for reusable, eco-friendly bags can align your brand with sustainable practices. It’s a statement that your business cares about the environment, resonating with environmentally-conscious consumers. Practicality: Promotional bags are functional and practical. Customers can use them for various purposes – from grocery shopping to carrying their essentials. The more useful the bag, the longer it stays in circulation, continuously promoting your brand. There is a wide variety of promotional bags to choose from, each catering to different retail needs and preferences.  So what type of promotional bag is best suited to your retail business?  Below are some retail business examples. Shopper Bags ideal for Supermarkets and Grocery Stores These are versatile, sturdy, and fashionable. Shopper bags come in various materials, including cotton, canvas, and jute. They are strong and ideal for daily use. Offering customers a reusable bag for a small cost can be a highly beneficial strategy for both retailers and consumers alike. Here are several compelling reasons why this approach is a win-win: Eco-Friendly Practices: Charging a nominal fee for reusable bags encourages customers to make environmentally responsible choices. These bags are designed to be used multiple times, reducing the consumption of single-use plastic bags. This small cost incentivizes customers to opt for a more sustainable and eco-friendly option, contributing to a reduction in plastic waste. Cost-Effective for Retailers: By charging a small fee for reusable bags, retailers can offset the expenses associated with providing them. This cost recovery approach allows businesses to offer high-quality, durable bags without significantly impacting their bottom line. It can also serve as an additional revenue stream for the retailer. Brand Image and Sustainability: Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability is increasingly important for businesses. Providing reusable bags, even for a small fee, aligns your brand with eco-conscious values. It shows that your retail store is proactive in addressing environmental concerns and taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint. Durability and Visibility: Reusable bags are typically more durable than single-use plastic bags. When customers carry these bags with your brand’s logo, they become long-lasting brand ambassadors. The more they use the bag, the more your brand gains visibility, as these bags are often taken on errands and used in various settings. Customer Loyalty: Customers often appreciate businesses that offer eco-friendly options. When they perceive your retail store as environmentally responsible, it can enhance their loyalty and trust. They are more likely to return for future purchases and may even recommend your store to others who share their values. Compliance with Regulations: In some regions there are regulations or taxes in place to discourage the use of single-use plastic bags. By offering reusable bags for a small cost, you not only comply with these regulations but also provide customers with an affordable alternative. Reduction of Bag Costs: Retailers often spend a significant amount on single-use plastic bags. By encouraging customers to use reusable bags, you can reduce the ongoing expenses associated with purchasing and distributing disposable bags. Positive Customer Experience: Reusable bags tend to be more spacious and sturdier than disposable ones. Customers appreciate the convenience and functionality of these bags, which can enhance their overall shopping experience. A satisfied customer is more likely to become a repeat customer. Gift Bags. Ideal for Beauty, Jewellery and Cosmetics Stores Enhanced Presentation: Gift bags provide an elegant and aesthetically pleasing way to present products to customers. Items in a gift bag are perceived as more valuable and thoughtfully presented, making the shopping experience more enjoyable. Branding Opportunity: Customised gift bags with the store’s logo and branding elements serve as mobile advertisements. When customers carry these bags, they effectively become walking billboards for the store, increasing brand visibility. Brand Loyalty: Providing a beautifully packaged gift bag, especially for high-end or luxury items, can foster a sense of loyalty and appreciation among customers. It shows that the store values their business and is willing to go the extra mile to make their purchases special. Upselling Opportunities: Gift bags can be used strategically to upsell additional products. For example, a customer purchasing Jewellery may be enticed to add matching accessories if they are presented in an appealing way within the gift bag Seasonal and Holiday Themes: Gift bags can be customised for different seasons and holidays, aligning with special occasions and promotions. This flexibility allows stores to tailor their packaging to suit specific themes and events. Memorable Unboxing Experience:

Elevate Your Team Spirit with Promotional Sports Bags for Clubs Posted on August 21, 2023 at 03:00 PM Sports clubs thrive on teamwork, dedication, and a strong sense of camaraderie among their members. As a club organiser or manager, you know how crucial it is to foster a sense of belonging and unity among your players. One fantastic way to achieve this is by introducing promotional sports bags adorned with your club’s logo and colors. Not only do these bags serve as functional accessories, but they also embody the spirit of your club, boosting team pride and motivation. The Power of Unity A sports team is more than just a collection of athletes; it’s a community bound by a shared passion. Promotional sports bags provide an opportunity to strengthen this sense of unity. When players carry bags featuring the club’s logo, they’re essentially carrying a piece of their team’s identity with them. This not only instills a feeling of pride but also creates a visual representation of the team’s togetherness. Walking Billboards Promotional sports bags are not just for the players; they become walking billboards that proudly display your club’s branding wherever they go. Whether it’s on the field, at the gym, or in everyday life, these bags attract attention and spark conversations. This exposure can lead to increased visibility for your club, potentially attracting new members and sponsors who are drawn to the spirit of community and dedication your team embodies. Motivation and Commitment Athletes are driven by a competitive spirit, and that motivation often starts with the feeling of belonging to a team. Personalised sports bags serve as a constant reminder of this commitment. When players see their bags, they’re reminded of the effort they’ve put into training, the bonds they’ve formed, and the goals they’re collectively striving to achieve. This visual reinforcement can significantly impact their dedication and drive to excel. Building Brand Identity Just like any successful organisation, a sports club also needs a strong brand identity. Promotional sports bags contribute to this by establishing a consistent visual representation of your club. When players and fans alike see the logo and colors on the bags, they’ll immediately associate it with your team’s values, achievements, and overall ethos. Inclusive and Appreciated Promotional sports bags aren’t just limited to players; they can be extended to coaches, support staff, and even loyal fans. Offering these bags as gifts or merchandise shows your appreciation for everyone who contributes to the club’s success. This inclusivity fosters a sense of belonging among all stakeholders, creating a more tightly-knit community. Promotional sports bags are more than just accessories; they’re powerful tools for building unity, identity, and motivation within sports clubs. By displaying the club’s logo and colors, these bags transform into symbols of team pride and commitment. They serve as walking advertisements, spreading the word about your club’s values and accomplishments. In a world where connections matter, these bags facilitate a strong sense of community among players, coaches, supporters, and fans. So, why wait? Elevate your team’s spirit today with custom promotional sports bags that represent the heart and soul of your club. Ready to design your personalised backpack? click here for our enquiry or call us on: 0345 200 4045 and start personalising your backpacks today.

Personalised Backpacks: A Unique and Thoughtful Gift Posted on July 11, 2023 at 02:30 PM Backpacks are a practical and versatile accessory that can be used for a variety of purposes, from school and work to travel and everyday use. They are also a great way to express your personal style. Personalised backpacks take this one step further by adding a touch of individuality to your everyday carry. With a personalised backpack, you can show the world who you are and what you love. There are many different ways to personalise a backpack. You can add your name, initials, or a custom design. You can also choose from a variety of materials and colours to create a backpack that is truly unique. Personalised backpacks make great gifts for any occasion. They are perfect for birthdays, graduations, holidays, and more. They are also a great way to show your appreciation to employees, clients, or other special people in your life. If you are looking for a unique and thoughtful gift, consider a personalised backpack. It is a gift that the recipient will cherish for years to come. Here are some of the benefits of personalising a backpack: It is a unique and personal gift so you can be sure that the recipient will appreciate the thoughtfulness of the gift. It is a practical and useful gift. Backpacks are a necessary item for many people, so a personalised backpack is sure to be put to good use. It is a lasting gift. A well-made personalised backpack can last for years, so the recipient will be able to enjoy it for a long time to come. It is a way to show your personality. With so many different ways to personalise a backpack, you can choose a design that reflects your unique style. Here are some tips for personalising a backpack: Choose a backpack that is the right size and style for the recipient. You want the backpack to be something that the recipient will actually use and enjoy. As you are creating the item from scratch, do some research to ensure you get it right. What should go on the bag, what should not. Get some ideas from your target audience if possible. Start putting some ideas down, ideally more than one. Think about the materials you will use, the colour and the features on the bags. Consider showing the target audience your ideas. Consider the recipient’s personality and interests when choosing a design. You want the backpack to be something that the recipient will appreciate and be proud to carry. Order the backpack in advance. This will give you enough time to get the backpack personalised and delivered before the occasion. How to order your personalised backpacks At any stage of the process, you can get in touch with us for assistance. Whether you have a finished digital mock up, or if you are still stuck on a concept, we can assist and are happy to help you through the stages. Design – Once your design has been decided, we will create a virtual proof, showing logo placement, and will highlight any chosen features. Once you are happy with the visual you can send your approval. Any changes can be made at this stage. Sampling – Once the design is approved, we will create a pre-production sample made to the specifications of the design. This will allow you to see if the product works by having it in your hand. This is the last stage to make any changes. If you feel a change needs to be made, get it done as this is your vision. Approval – Once we have created the prototype that you are happy with, you will give us an approval, which we will pass onto the factory. The factory will buy the required materials and bulk production will commence. Checks and Delivery – Prior to shipping, to ensure your goods are as per the approved sample, we will send in an inspection team to the factory, along with the final bag for inspection. Once given the green light, the goods make their way. Personalised backpacks are a unique and thoughtful gift that the recipient will cherish for years to come. With so many different ways to personalise a backpack, you can choose a design that reflects the recipient’s unique style and personality. Ready to design your personalised backpack? click here for our enquiry or call us on: 0345 200 4045 and start personalising your backpacks today.

Personalised Gift Bags: A Touch of Class Posted on June 19, 2023 at 11:30 AM Personalised gift bags are a great way to add a touch of class and thoughtfulness to your product. They show the recipient that you put extra effort into them choosing the perfect gift from your establishment, and that you took the time to make it special for them. There are many different types of personalised gift bags available, so you can find one that fits the product and the occasion. Some popular options include: Paper gift bags: These are a classic choice and can be decorated with a variety of designs, including names, initials, and messages. Canvas gift bags: These are a more durable option and can be reused. They are often decorated with more rustic or vintage designs. Cotton gift bags: These are a luxurious option and make a great impression. They are often decorated with simple, elegant designs helping keep the product or case dust free a scratch resistant. Who is using gift bags? When you shop at a reputable retail establishment, you expect a certain level of quality and service. This includes the way your purchase is presented to you. For example, many retail establishments have been using gift bags as dust bags to protect shoes, handbags, and leather accessories for some time now. However, not all of these establishments have updated to eco-friendly versions of these bags. Cosmetic companies often sell a range of products in a bespoke gift bag. Jewellers will often place the presentation case inside a gift bag too. Wine merchants use bottle bags, and exhibitions use gift bags to hold visitors merch. The list goes on. There are many benefits to using eco-friendly gift bags. These bags are often made from recycled materials, which helps to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills. They are also often reusable, which means that they can be used again and again, further reducing waste. A nice gift bag can make a big difference to customer experience. Here are some additional benefits we think may help you decide if it could help your business: It makes the purchase feel more special. When you receive a gift bag, it shows that the retailer took the time to package your purchase nicely. This can make the purchase feel more special and memorable. It can help to protect the purchase. Gift bags can help protect your purchase from damage during transportation. This is especially important if you’re buying fragile items like a reasonably expensive bottle of wine. It can be a marketing opportunity. The gift bag can be used to promote the retailer’s brand or products. This can be done by printing the retailer’s logo or website address, QR code on the bag. Improved customer loyalty: Customers given a good quality reusable gift bags are more likely to become loyal returning customers for example many bottle bags are used for the next shop. Of course, there are also some potential drawbacks: It can be expensive. Gift bags can be expensive, especially if they are made from high-quality materials. This is something to consider if you are on a budget. It can be wasteful. If the gift bag is not reused, it will end up in the landfill. This is something to consider if you are environmentally conscious. With this in mind we have collected a range of bags seen below that are made from recycled materials, such as plastic, cotton, or rPET, many are often reused making them practical and effective for brand awareness for years to come. Prices shown on product detail pages are are for one-color printing. Some of the eco-friendly benefits of these gift bags: They are made from recycled materials, which reduces the amount of waste going to landfills. They are often reusable, which reduces the need for single-use bags. They are often made from sustainable materials, such as organic cotton or rPET. These bags are a great way to show your commitment to sustainability and to promote your brand. They are also a practical and affordable option for businesses of all sizes. Some of the practical benefits of these bags: They are durable and can withstand repeated use. They are spacious and can accommodate a variety of items. They are easy to carry and can be folded up for easy storage. Tier 3: This could be when someone buy a singular beer/cider or perry that is particularly expensive on its own – a “limited edition” brew, etc. – and this could be presented in its own individual bag, like one of the below, to show its prestige. This may not get the same after-use, but will have the impact required on the customer who purchased the product, adding that touch of luxury to the brand. If you are looking for a way to promote your brand and to do your part for the environment, consider using a eco-friendly bag. They are a great way to show your customers that you care about both the planet and their business. If you need a little help click here for our contact form.

Eco-friendly and reusable bag alternatives to help your business ditch plastic Posted on 30th November, 2020 at 2:30 PM Sustainable and eco-friendly are trending in pretty much every industry across the UK – especially since David Attenborough highlighted the impact of plastic in our oceans during Blue Planet II, which hit our screens in December 2017. Each year, plastic is responsible for the death of millions of animals, birds, fish and other sea life; they ingest microplastic particles found in the ocean, thinking it is food, or get caught up amongst plastic bags or other packaging that hasn’t yet degraded. Both B2B and B2C brands are striving to promote sustainability, with consumers and companies alike opting for more eco products in the bid to minimise and prevent plastic pollution. However, in 2018 there was still an estimated 2 million plastic bags still being used every minute across the globe. In the UK alone, there was over 560 billion plastic bags sold by retailers from 2019-2020, so we’ve got a long way to go. In this blog, we explore why branded eco bags and reusable bags are great alternatives to plastic bags and what options are available for your business. 4 reasons your brand should make the switch from plastic bags to eco-friendly and reusable bags 1 Protect the environment Plastic is not biodegradable and can take up to 1,000 years to decompose. Eco-friendly bags tend to be made out of biodegradable materials, drastically reducing the amount of time it takes to degrade.   2 Protect your brand image In a world where social media has a significant impact upon the way we communicate , a single negative post about a brand not being sustainable can destroy reputations. 3 Save your customer, clients and colleagues money We use over 500 billion plastic bags per year globally, that averages to 150 plastic bags per person per year. With a 5p minimum plastic bag charge, that’s at least £7.50 a year – £75 over 10 years and £150 over 20. As the saying goes – every little helps!   4 Think practical Unlike plastic bags, which are prone to splitting, reusable bags are made from stronger and sturdier materials which can be used time again. Reusable and eco-friendly bags are often larger than plastic bags and feature a more practical design that’s easier to carry. Make a statement Not only will reusable and eco-friendly promotional bags help improve your brand image, incorporating an eye catching and funky design on the bag itself will turn your bag into an eye-catching fashion accessory grabbing attention, putting both your brand and your commitment to sustainability in the spotlight. Eco-friendly bag alternatives for businesses For every disposable, plastic bag, there is a reusable or eco-friendly alternative ready to be found! Plastic Carrier Bag Alternatives Do carrier bags play a vital role in the everyday running of your business? Whether you’re a supermarket or retailer, swich your plastic bags to carrier bags made from potato starch! 100% eco-friendly and sustainable, these promotional carrier bags are made from natural potato starch and compostable – just add them to your home compost heap or throw them in your garden or food waste bin! 100% recycled & eco-friendly tote bags Whether you’re in search of the perfect bag to give away at an event or even sell in your shop, there are so many cost-effective reusable eco options to choose from. These include tote bags made from recycled cotton and recycled plastic bottles – all available to be customised with a logo, design or fun message. Recycled Cotton Big Tote Non-Woven Shopper Printed jute bags Jute is one of the must eco-friendly and sustainable natural fibres in the world. It comes from a plant, similar to cotton, but it grows faster and needs a lot less water and no pesticides. Like all other promotional bags, jute bags can be personalised with a logo or message – ideal for carrying your lunch to and from the office, or even as a bag for life! Market Jute Shopper Jute Shopper Bag How do I buy eco-friendly branded bags for my business? Bags of Ideas is one of the UK’s top promotional bag suppliers. We’re experts in all things sustainable when it comes to choosing the right bag to give your business the green light. So, if your brand is looking to ditch plastic once and for all, then get in touch! Our team is more than happy to help you transform your brand’s image, one bag at a time. Drop us an email at sales@bagsofideas.co.uk or give us a call on 0345 200 4045.

Dos and Don’ts for selling post-lockdown Posted on 18th May, 2020 at 12:30 PM Coronavrius has had a huge impact on UK businesses, bringing a silent and sudden chaos. Businesses nationwide had to rethink and adapt their sales and marketing strategies for uncertain and cautious buyers. As the UK slowly starts easing Lockdown, we look at what companies should – and shouldn’t – do to sell products and services in a post-Lockdown world. Hard selling techniques may not be as effective generating new business. Customers may be more sensitive. The key is to take a friendly but helpful approach, but sales teams may not know where to begin. To help your business navigate your way through selling in the sensitive environment, we’ve put together a dos and don’ts list to highlight some key considerations: Dos: Understand your customer’s needs – All customers want innovative ideas and advice but may not be able to purchase straight away. Let them know that’s okay, and that you’re here to help with any questions they may have. Be prepared for them to say no – Every person (and client) is different. Not everyone will be ready to invest yet. Be polite, thank them for their time and ask them to bear you mind for the future. Listen to them – By listening to someone, you can get a feel of what they’re thinking. Always make sure to be understanding and friendly, and don’t interrupt. Take time to listen now and you could make a sale later down the line. Let the customer lead – If they are interested in what you have to offer, they’ll want information. Let them lead the conversation and answer any questions they may have. Provide them with the relevant information, and give them space to make their own purchase decision. Provide the best possible service – Go the extra mile for your customer. Show that you care by addressing any worries they may have, and make their experience as personable as you can. This is great for building memorable relationships and rapport. Don’ts: Create a sense of urgency – Regardless of your own situation, any pressure felt by the customer is likely to backfire. If your stock is running low, you can always recommend an alternative, or let them know when the item(s) will be back in stock. If you need to close the sale, this will become apparent and may not go down too well. Turn your conversation into a sales pitch – Avoid hard-selling at all costs. By slipping into a sales pitch, no matter how well it may have previously worked, yobbcu run the risk of putting your rapport with the customer at jeopardy. Remember above all, we’re all human. Think about how you’re communicating with potential and current customers. How would you respond if you were in their shoes? It’s a different world, and until things go back to “normal” we need to learn how to adapt. Putting your customers’ needs before your own has never been so paramount. When your business is ready to resume its marketing efforts and if you are after inspiration for your next campaign, our team is here to help. Until then, stay safe and think customer first.

What could be in store for trade shows after Lockdown? Posted on 8th May, 2020 at 10:30 PM The Coronavirus pandemic of 2020 has changed everything, even the way we speak. Phrases such as “Social Distancing” and “Lockdown” are now as everyday as “having a cheeky Nandos” or “indulging in a little retail therapy” used to be back in the “good old days” just three months ago. We even have an up-to-date name for it – the “New Normal”. Of course, staying at home has put paid to the usual crop of mass marketing events for the moment. And while a Zoom conference with dozens of talking heads can help to keep the wheels of industry turning for the moment, it’s hard to say when the trade show merry-go-round will begin turning again. One thing’s for certain, “business as usual” is a way off yet. Large gatherings are extremely unlikely for the foreseeable future in a post-Lockdown world. So, perhaps, it’s time to adapt, and prepare for when the better times finally return. Virtual trade shows are a thing Some events are already going digital. It’s a cost-effective and risk-free way to source, sell, and showcase new products. “Delegates” can engage with “exhibitors” by scheduling meetings, chatting live, and watching presentations. But the experience doesn’t have to end there. If this were a real-life expo, they wouldn’t walk away empty-handed. A good marketing ploy is to give your “virtual visitors” a little something to remember you by. Why not send them a promotional tote bag or another long-term keepsake (like a notebook) as a reminder? Face-to-face trade shows after Lockdown Of course, lead generation and building business relationships work best in person, but when the conferences and shows resume, social distancing measures are still likely to be the order of the day. These might include increasing the physical pace between stands, enforcing one-way aisles, or capping the number of attendees at a manageable level, just like the supermarkets currently allow in a fixed number of shoppers. Visitors may be encouraged to choose which exhibitors they want to engage with before the event starts. Booking an allocated timeslot could help reduce crowding and assist with event organising. Adapt your marketing efforts If you’re planning to run your own event or exhibit at a trade show after Lockdown, you should already be considering your use of social media to make it known and answer any questions in the lead up. With the inevitable uncertainty surrounding the events, highlight a safety-first approach by detailing all the measures in place to maintain social distancing. Face mask may be part of the solution to maintain the safety of staff, visitors, and exhibitors. The latest advice from both the UK Government and WHO is that face masks do offer some protection against spreading the virus through coughs and sneezes. With this in mind, we can already supply certified face masks printed with your logo or message that can be worn at trade shows to help your staff feel safer. They also double as a useful promotional giveaway and could become the must-have item for 2020s discerning conference delegate. For more ideas about how to maximise your RoI at your next event, read our 10 Steps to Trade Show Success.

Why branded face masks are a businesses must Posted on April 30, 2020 at 10:00 PM While “Business as Usual” is hard to do in the UK at the moment because of Coronavirus, we’ve been busy manufacturing branded certified face masks to help you and your clients stay safe. While there may be a cloud of uncertainty surrounding what things will be like when we emerge from Lockdown, one thing is certain – life as we know it will be completely different, and face masks could become the new “norm”. Do face masks actually prevent the spread of Coronavirus? One major cause of virus infection is via droplets spread by coughs and sneezes. While there’s still much debate over the issue, certified face masks have been shown to offer some protection from coming into contact with virus particles spread this way. And because symptoms may not become clear for up to two weeks after infection – or may not show at all – they also help to ensure you’re not transmitting the virus to others if you have it. Face masks in the UK Demand in the UK is soaring as the war against Coronavirus goes on. Face masks are sold out across pharmacies and supermarkets nationwide and stockpiles are flying off shelves as soon as they’re delivered. Major cities such as New York and Berlin have already made face masks mandatory in public, and we believe it’s only a matter of time before the UK follows suit. Recently, the BMA – the British Medical Association – urged the Government to equip all key workers outside the NHS – including delivery drivers, shopkeepers, carers, transport and supermarket staff – with face masks to help combat the virus spread. They also want the Government to ask ordinary people to cover their mouth and nose when venturing outside to shop of for their daily exercise. The new norm in the workplace and beyond… How long Lockdown should go on is constantly being revaluated by Government officials and scientific advisors, but it won’t last forever (thank goodness). So, now is the time to start thinking about life post-Lockdown, and how you can maximise safety in the workplace. Face masks are part of the solution. Because of the nature of your business, it may simply be impossible to stick to the two-metre social distancing rule, so face masks may very likely be enforced for the safety of staff and customers. Take football clubs, for example. Fans up and down the country are hoping for the return of the Premier League in June, even though it may be behind closed doors. But when the stadiums start to fill again, face masks could help to prevent further spread of the virus. Even in ordinary workplaces such as offices and warehouses, the use of face masks will be a must-have to help protect staff from the transmission of Coronavirus between workers, even if the two-metre rule is being applied. Don’t forget that a cough or sneeze can spread droplets as far as six to eight metres and can linger in the air for up to 10 minutes. The safety of your staff is not worth putting at risk. Introducing, promotional face masks! Like pretty much everything else, face masks can also be custom-printed for promotional purposes. In fact, branded face masks are nothing new, the music industry was one of the first to tap into the idea and promotional face masks are some of the most-wanted merchandise on the web stores of many rock bands. They’re also given away to fans who place online orders. Why? Because they’re cost-effective, they help the wearer to stay safe and they will be reused time and time again. We recognise face masks are an essential item for businesses and employees returning to work in the coming weeks and months. So, in addition to our range of promotional bags, we can now source fully-certified face masks printed with your company logo, so your clients and colleagues can stay safe, look good and promote your brand, all at the same time. Whether you want an elaborate and colourful full-coverage design, or a minimalistic one-colour logo print option, branded face masks are an essential way to show the world you care. To find out more please email: sales@bagsofideas.co.uk

Eco Bags for UK Why Reusable is the Future Posted on June 6, 2019 at 3:30 PM The pressure for your business to go green is huge, and only getting bigger. Whether it’s reusable shopping bags for the weekly trolley dash or reducing the amount of stuff we chuck out to end up in landfill, it’s clear that an eco-lifestyle is essential. We’ve already examined green shopping, and how we still need to do more to reduce plastic consumption, even with the UK’s bag tax on plastic carriers. But there’s more to eco bags, than simply using an eco-friendly jute bag instead of a plastic patch handle. Today we’re looking beyond the confines of a Bag for Life to examine at the definition of an eco-bag and the materials that we can use, as well as killing off some of the myths around products that claim to be “eco-friendly”. Everything you do, own, or use has a carbon footprint – the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere in its manufacture or use. So, to be truly “eco-friendly”, the longevity (or reusability) of a product must outweigh the environmental impact of its manufacture and delivery to the consumer. Using plastic bags as an example, their creation alone involves the collection of raw materials, manufacture and distribution. When you consider their actual life span – measured in hundreds if not thousands of years – they are the very opposite of “eco-friendly”. A study by finance info site Market Watch calculated how many times an eco-friendly reusable bag had to be re-used to beat the disposable alternatives and found that even with the increased manufacturing process required it took just 100 cycles for them to be “better for the environment”. So, if being environmentally-friendly is important to your brand values – and it should be – you must look at the potential longevity of the product you are supplying – even if it’s just the tote bag in which your customers carry off your actual products. And if you’re using bags as a giveaway simply to promote your brand, perhaps at a conference or event, there’s even more reason to make sure they’re “green”. As well as longevity, there’s also biodegradability. Petro-chemical plastic bags are certainly not biodegradable. An alarming number of printed carriers end up in landfill, in hedgerows, fields, beaches and even rivers, seas and oceans, shredding down and eventually becoming micro-plastics that lodge in the guts of birds and wildlife and sealife. Recently, a plastic bag was even found at the bottom of the deepest ocean on the planet. We all owe it to our children and grandchildren – and every other creature on the planet – to eliminate plastic from our lives, and some consumers are already trying to live a life without plastics at all. If your company uses plastic, consumers like them will cease to be customers before long. The decision process The bottom line with longevity of promotional merchandise is build quality. It doesn’t matter how pretty the print on your gift bag, if its handles aren’t strong enough, or the cotton is too thin, it won’t last and will end up in a tip somewhere, along with the masses of plastic carrier bags, defeating the object entirely. In choosing the right tote you need to look at the following aspects; material weight (thickness), seams and handles. All three of these boxes must be ticked to ensure you’re supplying a potential eco branded bag. For example, an increasingly common choice for merchandising your brand is promotional jute bags. Jute is a natural material of high strength and durability, with the added benefit that it is completely biodegradable at end of life. Eco jute bags are seen more and more as part of the groceries shop, or as a tote for school or business, where they act as a constant reminder of your business brand. On BagsofIdeas.co.uk we’ve created a zoom function on each of our products so you can see how each bag is made, but here we’re going to give an example of what you should be looking for as regards the handles. This cotton bag has a folded seam on the top, into which the handles are sewn, not only around the edges, but also through the middle in an X shape, ensuring durability and longevity. As for the bag’s seams, unless there’s a gusset, ensure the bag is only sewn at the sides (not the bottom). A bag is only sewn along the sides, there’s no seam at the bottom because it’s one piece of cotton or canvas folded. This makes the bag stronger. As a rule of thumb, the fewer sewn seams the better. For gusseted bags, make sure the seams are strong. Samples, Samples, Samples Bags of Ideas provides free bag samples to improve your experience and help you decide which combination works for your brand. Simply order a selection of bags to test at your business. Non-woven polypropylene bags offer a great low-cost option for eco branding, but they are not always built to last. One thing to look for is that the handles sewn into the bag. There is a wide range of options with polypropylene, including versions with handles heat sealed into the body of the bag. Avoid them though because it makes the handles weaker and shortens their longevity. Saying You Can’t Be Green is Rot As a final note, if you really have to use plastic carrier bags – perhaps because of the need for very large quantities at low cost per unit – you can still retain your green principles by choosing a biodegradable option. We offer a range of promotional carriers in biodegradable materials, all meeting current EU standards. Check our Plastic Bags page (all punch and patch handles are biodegredable) These take around two months to degrade in an ordinary compost bin. This is a huge improvement on standard carrier bags, which can take anything from 10-1000 years. Even better, they take about two-thirds of

Notes about Totes: What’s your Bag? Posted on July 26, 2019 at 11:30 PM What’s in a name? As far as bags go, quite a bit. This blog is going to try to cut through the confusion over the many different types of bags on offer at Bags of Ideas and help you to make a better informed choice for your next promotional giveaway. Just few weeks ago in an article on promotional conference bags, we highlighted the many variations of the names for the same promotional article, among them “messenger bag”, “document wallet” and “conference folder”. This diversity can cause confusion. You may know, or may not, that one of the UK’s biggest selling promotional carrier is the “cotton shopper”, but what does that actually mean? You may know it as a cotton shoulder bag, a “bag for life” or even a canvas tote, and the variations don’t end there. What would you expect for the country’s most popular printed promotional product? So we’re going to delve deep into the bag for life, clear out the unnecessary technical jargon, and make sure that whatever branded bag is over your shoulder, you’re confident about its name. Plus, we will look into why this style of bag is so popular, from small-scale projects, to mass marketing. Tot-ally Awesome Let’s start with the “tote”. The textbook description of a promotional tote is that it is an open top bag, with parallel handles, generally made from cloth/canvas material – most commonly associated with the reusable shopping bag. Its purpose, says the definition, is to carry “a ton of stuff”. Tote is actually a 17th word for “carry”, but the design first came to prominence in 40s America where outdoors store L.L. Bean introduced an “ice carrier” looking remarkably similar to the modern Tote. By the 50s, the iconic design had become a mainstay for housewives going about their daily chores, including the shopping. In the 1960s, L.L. Bean revisited their “ice carrier” and released a canvas fashion bag which they called the “Boat Bag”, and it’s still being produced today with its distinctive colour trim. The bottom line here is, there are numerous bags, all similar in purpose, with differing names. Understanding this diversity can help you find the right bag for your next promotional campaign. Making your Bag-for-Life Easier At Bags of Ideas, we understand that one person’s cotton shopper, is another’s shoulder tote – and for this reason, we have developed an intelligent product category structure, allowing buyers to find what they are looking for regardless of the name they know it by. We use multiple categories with product overlap. Take for example our Paka Cotton Shopper which can be found in our Cotton and Canvas, Eco and Shoppers and Totes sections. So no matter what you call it, you can find it. Shopping Wisely Now we all understand that totes are no different to shoppers, let’s look at what bags we should sling over our shoulders and why. Shoppers work for every budget, whether it’s high-quality, heavy-duty canvas, or strong, but lightweight and low cost non-woven polypropylene, we can get a bag worth of your brand! Previously we’ve focused on the uses of shoppers and totes as promotional marketing tools. This time we’ll focus on the budget elements, the idea being to showcase a range of products that can work to promote your company, despite financial constraints. Bags on a Budget To kick things off let’s look at a select few satchels that are well within even the smallest of marketing budgets. As a result of their popularity as promotional tools, stock items are mass-produced, leading to economies of scale – a good product for a low price, without the need to purchase large quantities. The bags featured here have numerous benefits; the first being a low price per unit, and a large, pantone matched screen print. On top of that, all are available with low MOQs (Minimum Order Quantities) of 50 to 100. The icing on the cake is the huge range of available colours for each bag from stock. In short, you can have your logo printed on to one of these stock totes with a complimentary base colour, delivered to your event in as little as 5 days. Non-Woven Tote Non-Woven Tote Value Non-Woven Shopper These can be described as simple, or basic shopper bags – long handles, large print area, and a durable material. The next step up in the range are similar in design, but have improvements such as heavier canvas, the addition of a gusset, or eco-friendly jute being used as the core material. Considering a “tote” by definition, these will hold more, and in some cases last for longer because of the more hardwearing materials used. The bags below also benefit from low MOQs but as a promo have more perceived value if given away, or guarantee a higher retail price if sold. 10oz Canvas Shopper Rainham Tote Bag Market Jute Shopper If you want to make a bigger impression, there are better featured styles which are still more than affordable but will promote an image of quality and luxury to the consumer. Our examples have that extra flare sought by the fashion-consciou, such as coloured handles or trims, side pockets, and more comfortable straps. The combination of canvas and jute is not only on-trend, but also hardwearing, guaranteeing re-use, and increasing brand visibility. Kuku Cotton Shopper Bag Funo Jute Shopper Bag Choroa Non-woven Shopper Bag All the bags in this blog are “off the shelf” tote bags, shoppers, bags for life. Different names aside, this style of bag has to be one of the most affordable branded marketing tools there is; whether you choose a mini tote, or a large canvas shoulder bag for your next trade show, what is guaranteed is value for money within this range. There is always a canvas or non-woven shopper bag that fits within your budget, and also passes on value to the end recipients far in excess of the cost.

Why Laptop Rucksacks Are More Than Back to Basics Posted on July 16, 2019 at 2:30 PM Almost everyone has a laptop these days, so it’s no surprise that demand for suitable luggage has soared. Whether printed with a logo or plain, a good bag is essential to hold what is for the majority of us, their most valuable piece of tech, securely and comfortably. Whether it’s commuting to work, going to study, or travelling for the weekend, the personal computer tends to go with us. Historically, people have tended to use the shoulder style bag, made from water-resistant material and able to house a 15.6 inch laptop, plus essential accessories. Though a messenger-style branded laptop bag still has its place, consumer needs have changed a bit, and at Bags of Ideas we’ve noticed an uptick in demand for larger carriers, such as rucksacks and backpacks designed for laptops. While the appearance of a laptop bag is important – especially for a promotional product – comfort is also extremely important. And looks aren’t always skin deep: how tempting does it look to would-be thieves? We’re going to look at the reasons for the shift in demand towards rucksacks. We’ll also highlight some of the benefits of a larger backpack style, whether you’re supplying as a gift to your staff or pupils. Plus we’ll also delve into some of the features that now make rucksacks most people’s carrier of choice. From one Strap to Two Over time, not only are more and more people carrying a laptop around every day, they are carrying more and more personal items too, from cosmetics and comfort items to usb leads, chargers and accessories. Studies show that heavy single-strap shoulder style bags can cause physical damage to muscles and tendons, resulting in aches and pains and it’s clear this is one of the biggest reasons for the shift – especially for business travel. Backpack rucksacks are the logical alternative, allowing a safer balance and distribution of weight across both shoulders. For occasional use, a cross-body shoulder strap may not be an issue but for those regularly commuting with a heavy load, an ergonomic rucksack with adjustable padded straps and support ensures they remain without pain. Space requirements More items need more space. With business travel sometimes taking days at a time, the traditional shoulder laptop bag simply doesn’t have the necessary room for all your stuff. Laptop rucksacks are built with this in mind. The latest promotional backpacks not allow for a laptop, but also a laptop tablet such as an iPad pro, folders and clothes. The outside may also feature front pocket or a pouch for a water bottle to keep hydrated. “ If you really wanted to push the boat out with luxury features, some hi-spec rucksack laptop bags now come with built in power banks featuring usb charging ports for keeping phones topped up, and even built-in tablet bags. Below we’ve picked out some popular laptop backpack examples from our range, highlighting the features available. Berlin Rucksack Macau Laptop Bag Jaunt 15.6 Safety is Key Another reason for the shift to rucksacks is security. We’ve all heard the stories of someone having their phone taken while on public transport, despite it being zipped away. With many of the branded laptop carriers now available, feature anti-theft security as the norm, allowing peace of mind while squeezed on to busy trains or buses. From zipped pockets to hidden pouches – as well as anti-slash material – the possibilities are almost endless. We focused on secure bags in a previous blog, and listed bags that ensured contents are secure, whether on a busy Tube train, or at your local coffee shop, and below we’ve picked out a couple of our favourite laptop cases that ensure your belongings are safe. Milano Rucksack Bobby Ant-Theft i-Stay Rucksack Advertising Potential When branding any type of bag, one key objective is visibility. We believe that the impact of a rucksack – whether as a gift to top customers, students or employees – will be greater than any messenger-style bag, simply because of the way it’s worn. Messenger bags almost always display the brand on the side, at waist height. In some cases, if the bag is the wrong way round, it probably wouldn’t be visible at all. A laptop rucksack guarantees visibility at all times, and at around eye level. This makes the amount of impressions and brand awareness much higher than cross body options. Longevity Our research also shows that, despite build quality on the shoulder style bags being as good as rucksacks, their lifespan tends to be shorter. This is because of the way they’re worn, and the load distribution. Where a backpack has two straps to divide the weight, and has very little movement while in use, the cross-body bag bears all the weight on the single strap. Plus while being used, the shoulder bag itself suffers from movement – at a brisk walking pace the bag tends to swing, and bang against the user, putting increased stress on the seams. Of course, the value of any promotional product is directly connected to the life of the item. If it wears out, or if it creates a bad user experience, it’s days are numbered. Staff Research shows first impressions are everything when it comes to sales. For this reason many organisations now use branded laptop rucksacks as a sales tool for their marketing staff. A high-quality feature-packed backpack, bearing your company logo, sends strong signals to prospective clients. It suggests financial stability, sure, but it also stresses the importance of your brand image. There’s also the benefit of your brand travelling in high visibility, wherever your staff go. Advertising aside, it also promotes staff moral. Investing in your staff creates trust between employer and employee. That boosts morale and productivity. As a promotional Tool So what are the benefits of using a laptop rucksack as a marketing tool. Promotional bags rightly have the image of being a low-cost

Cooler Bags are a Hot Item at the Festival Posted on July 10, 2019 at 12:30 PM With the summer season in full swing , we thought we should highlight a promotional product that will help you keep your cool. We’ve covered summer bags before and while cooler bags may seem to have seasonal restrictions, they can still effectively promote your brand all year round. Insulated cooler bags differ from a lot of promotional carriers in the way that they offer opportunity. Where a standard shopper might be given away at trade fairs and shows, cooler bags lend themselves to other forms of distribution. At your next trade show, why not hand out a branded cool bag with a shoulder strap to customers and prospects, and maybe throw in a printed bottle opener. . A soft cooler bag is best used for “in-the-moment” marketing – giving the customer an insulated lunch cooler bag, when and where they need it. If you’re a festival organiser, or even a retailer at a festival bar or ice cream stand, there is huge opportunity. Why not add a tote cooler bag bearing your logo to your festival kit, in place of the normal cotton or canvas shopper bag. This way festival-goers not only get a bag to help them keep their stuff together through the day, they also have somewhere to keep their food and drink cool in the heat of the day. The perceived value of such a gift – and thereby the boost to the visibility your brand – is huge. A Multi-Purpose Giveaway And when it’s all over, you can then benefit from the hundreds or thousands of people leaving the site with your cooler bag in hand carrying your brand far and wide. Not only will the festival-goer feel they have been given a great gift, others will think the same: “What a great idea – a free cool bag at a festival?” It’s also worth remembering that while we’re talking about cooler bags, what we actually mean are insulated lunch bags – they can be used to keep hot food warm too The If budget doesn’t allow for handing out cooler bags to all and sundry, why not incentivise attendees by offering a free bag with the purchase of a festival program? This way, the cost of the programme could cover the cool bag too. The festival-goer will reckon they’ve bagged a great deal, you won’t overspend your marketing budget, and your message gets a boost. Alternatively, you could offer something like a wine cooler bag when someone buys a certain number of drinks at the bar. For example, purchase six beers, get a free promotional cooler bag. If you’re selling your drinks in cans, this will go down particularly well because it means they can keep their purchases cooler for that bit longer. Especially important if there’s a hefty queue for the next round. Ultimately, you can simply sell branded cooler bags to attendees alongside other branded goods, perhaps featuring more elaborate high quality full colour designs, for customers to use on the day and take away as a souvenir. At Bags of Ideas, we have dozens of styles of insulated bags, of different styles, qualities and specifications. Some will keep wine cool for after-work picnics in the park, or keep sausages safe for breakfast on day three of the family camping trip to the New Forest. Meeting all Requirements There’s also size. We range from the “I need a lunch box that will keep my pie warm until midday” to the “I want all our beers to be cold at midnight on day one of the festival”. Not least is the question of comfort. Will it be carried a long way? And is it comfortable to carry fully loaded? We have a range of styles for that too. All these features have cost implications, which you need to consider. As always, our expert customer service team are here to help. Why not drop us a line to discuss your requirements? Away from the festival sites, there are still plenty of opportunities to utilise promo cooler bags in your marketing campaigns, such as branded cooler tote bags, which almost everyone has to enable them to bring frozen food back from the local supermarket.Why not offer a free branded cooler with a purchase of chilled or frozen foods such as bottled water, ice creams or pizza. For example, an end-of-isle stack of your product – lets say soft drinks – announces that buying 12 cans gets the customer a free cooler bag. This not only encourages an above-average purchase, but also add value to your brand as you’re being seen to offer a useful item to the consumer. As a general retailer you might extend the offer beyond a single product, perhaps giving an insulated shopping bag to customers who spend above a certain threshold. You might ever do it in tiers – £50 gets a small 6 can leak-proof cooler, £100 gets a large 12 can cooler, £150 gets a massive 50 can cooler. Bags like this are used all year round for the weekly shop. Going further still, you could add the incentive to your customer loyalty scheme. Budget Non-Woven Cooler Bag Rainham 12 Can Cooler Bag 50 Can Cooler Bag A Wider Offering An offer like this doesn’t have to be limited to food retail either – there’s no reason why high street stores couldn’t encourage consumer spending by offering a free branded cooler bag. The gift will be well received, and is perfect for use on a sunny day for picnics in the country or trips to the beach, all the time promoting your company. Offering branded lunch coolers, or picnic kits as gifts to customers can go far in maintaining customer loyalty. Firstly, a gift like this helps your organization to be remembered. Secondly, the usefulness and value of the product ensures you’re seen in good sun light. The bottom line is, though cooler bags are a

Why UK businesses drawn to Drawstring Bags? Posted on July 2, 2019 at 2:30 PM At Bags of Ideas we pride ourselves on our expertise and knowledge Our blogs aim to provide customers and readers with up-to-date information to make sure they choose the right branded tote. But the other day, it dawned on us that while seeking to focus on the latest market trends, we’ve neglected the timeless classics that are guaranteed winners at trade shows and beyond and, hands down, still remain the most popular promotional items. So today we’re looking at a sure fire promo merch winner – cheap drawstring bags. Why are drawstring backpacks still one of the best-selling designs, year after year? And why do so many brands opt for them over other bags such as canvas totes? We’ll also show how the product has evolved over time, from a simple, low cost and very effective polyester plastic drawstring bags to a more feature-packed package, including eco-friendly and bespoke options. In most cases, promotional drawstring bags are simple rucksack with cord or string shoulder straps which also double up as the closing mechanism at the top. The simple reason for their popularity is practicality and versatility, which stretches beyond the use as a promo giveaway. Walk into any sports or luggage shop and you’ll see tons of them on the racks, just like 25 years ago. The simple design and construction makes them cheap compared to other promo items, and very popular for large advertising campaigns, where huge numbers of printed backpacks are required. The flat construction, with a large promotional blank area also makes them perfect for printing, allowing big, bold designs with great results. The polyester construction also allows for great colour choice with little or no difference in unit price, meaning that you can match your brand Pantone with relative ease. More importantly, they can be used effectively in lots of situations and industries. Where a beach bag might have its limitations, the drawstring rucksack does not. Whether you are in the education or construction industry, it is a bag that can be utilised. We thought the best way to show the wide range of uses is to give examples of where they’re employed, and how they’re used in each case. Charities Charities are among the biggest uses of drawstring rucksacks, particularly at large open-air events such as sponsored runs, festivals, sporting events, and the rest. Of course, cost is a major factor for charities and drawstring rucksacks always allow non-profits to stay within their budgets. On top of that, they are ideal to hold other promotional products like travel mugs without spillage. But the biggest benefit is mobility: in a 5K run or half marathon participants can run with the bag on the back as though it wasn’t there, whether it is holding a sweat towel, or a bottle of water. Rucksacks are unobtrusive, carrying the essentials – as well as your brand. Schools Many schools now enhance their local image with branding beyond uniforms. Drawstring rucksacks are great for this. For primary school kids, they can hold all that’s needed for the school day, while in secondary schools they are a great choice as a gym bag or a lunch carrier. Trade shows We’ve looked at trade shows in earlier blogs, where we drew conclusions regarding the bag of choice (large, strong shoppers). Essentially, everyone at a trade show is vying to have the best bag for the day, so at the very least it goes home with the consumer and is reused. But this competition is based on consumers only using their hands. The printed drawstring bag is the exception to this rule. Offering a drawstring rucksack can prove to be a winner; as on the day, it can be worn with ease, and if you have provided a high quality printed bag, it will certainly be taken home. Trade shows are actually one of the places where polyester backpacks with their large print area are not widely used, so it could be a tactical advantage to improve visibility on the day as well as beyond. Construction/Onsite Another area where drawstring bags have proven popular is construction or warehouses, where they are employed by staff to carry personal items and lunch. All these scenarios have the added benefit of usage away from the workplace: they get used in day-to-day life, be it as a canvas drawstring gym sack, or a tote bag for a day at the park, raising your brand visibility. Product Evolution Over time, the drawstring rucksack has evolved in many ways, ensuring its popularity in the promotional market remains. Today the options available stretch further than choice of colour, to the material – for example cotton canvas or the better quality 100 cotton. In the case of a bag, size can be important, as can the eco credentials and the branding possibilities. Below we’ve selected some product variations to highlight why this drawstring rucksacks remain one of the best selling promotional bags out there. Eco-Drawstring In previous blogs we have looked at why businesses need to make the shift away from disposable plastic bags, wholesale. To meet a growing demand from Eco-conscious organisations, the classic cotton drawstring bag is an obvious and ideal choice. Punda Cotton Drawstring Bag Rpet Drawstring Backpack Increased Practicallity Times change, so do demands. The simple plastic drawstring may still be effective but some marketing campaigns need that little bit extra. The addition of extra features like pockets & pouches, multi-colour designs and transparent materials has increased appeal. With more on-trend designs now readily available “off the shelf” you main now have to go down the bespoke route to find the perfect option. The way they’re made has also advanced in such a way that 100% full colour design can achieved without having to venture to the Far East, and that means you don’t have to plan six to nine months to be as creative as you want. Shoop Draw String Peek Drawstring Rucksack Daffy Non-Woven

Conference Bags can be a talking point all of their own Posted on June 19, 2019 at 12:30 PM Summer’s here, so why are talking about conference season? We’re looking at promotional conference bags because it takes time to plan for a trade show. Though the next few months may promise to be heady days of music and arts festivals, September’s not so far away. The corporate season will be back in full swing before you know it, so now’s the time to make sure you’re be prepared with the right tote for the job. What is a “conference bag”, anyway? And what use are they? Are there any alternatives, and what else can branded document and conference folders be used for? Conference bags – including document cases, or document wallets – are usually given away at gatherings of like-minded professionals, generally to hold supporting literature from the day’s events. They are also commonplace at lectures ans seminars, be they academic or business. Conference-goers get a branded conference handed to them at the entrance or found waiting at their seat, chock-a-block with information on the event and additional promotional items. Size and design are important factors in helping you come up with the right conference bag ideas. Dimensions are informed by the paper sizes of documents (generally A3, A4 or A5). Most have a handle and a flap closure. Some document wallets also have additional pockets or holders for power banks, pens, flash drives and other accessories. Materials vary, from low cost polypropylene “popper wallets” to more upmarket options made from nylon and even neoprene. Some folders can now even accommodate a laptop, as well as documents and literature, and often feature lightweight shoulder straps as well as carry handles. But perhaps conference folders’ real USP is the promotional aspect: clear branding helps to promote brand recognition, and ensures attendees won’t forget the event. And brand awareness lives on as delegates head home with their swag bags, displaying your logo far beyond the confines of the conference hall. Of course, branded conference bags work best as a promotional tool in situations where there is a single host. As they are the only material received, the resulting “goodie bag” clearly associates good times with your conference bags. UK trade shows – which are generally larger – present a different challenge, as we explained in our blog about how to choose the right business bag. The competitive scenario of a big trade fair calls for bolder and brasher designs. Packed and Prepared So how do you choose the right bag for your conference? Consider the variables. So you’re probably thinking “budget”, but there are other important factors too. What’s going inside? Will it just be holding literature from the day, or will there be a promotional product pack too? Everything has to fit, so at Bags of Ideas we always suggest trying out a sample gift bag or two to test how well it all fits. The actual promotional style is important too: conference gift bags are not always the easiest items to brand. Think about the required area for the design, the complexity and colourfulness of the logo, as well as the style. Do you want a sleek embroidered design, or an impactful full-colour print? There might also be an event sponsor’s logo, meaning additional designs need to be fitted in. If so, a bag with a large print area is essential. Last but not least, consider your audience. Who’s attending the conference, and what is the event focus? If there’s a green slant to proceedings – say a talk on improving environmental practices for business – shouldn’t you consider, for example, a jute conference bag with an impeccable eco pedigree. On the other hand, if delegates are “tech savvy” then a more feature-packed tote with pockets galore may go down well. Here are just some suggestions from our extensive collection, complete with examples of their use. • A jute bag, ideal for an environmentally-focused event • Kansas document bag, full off additional features, ideal for a tech crowd • Philadelphia Conference bag. Ideal for an event with additional, bulky giveaways, such as travel mugs Beyond the Conference Hall One of the biggest trends Bags of Ideas has seen in recent years is the take-up of standard printed conference bags by the educational sector, particularly academy schools. For a school focused on public image, branded folders are the ideal solution to transporting the day’s required reading to and from the campus. This increases public visibility of the school name and its crest, which can be hugely beneficial to local image and reputation. Conference-style bags are now widely adopted by UK educational institutions, from major secondary school through to the local infants class, or even nursery. There’s no limit Some may argue that the event-focus of a conference bag reduces its reach as tool for brand awareness. What guarantee that it will survive beyond the day of the show? Conference bags have their uses, but if their principal objective is to raise your business profile, you need them to be used again and again. If you have a conference coming up, think “outside the bag” when it comes to choosing your next giveaway. Instead of a “traditional style” carrier, how about a large shoulder tote instead? It might then be used as a work or school tote, or as a shopping bag. Not only will the user have an improved perception of your organisation, your brand will seen further afield. 10oz Canvas Shopper Halfar Modern Classic Shopper Pimbi Canvas Document Bag And remember, just because you’re hosting a conference, you don’t have to use a “conference bag”. Without increasing your budget you could provide a bag suitable for event attendees’ requirements, which could also be reused again and again, for the trip to the local Tesco or the daily commute or trip to the gym.   Bags of Ideas has a range of great ideas for shopper and shoulder bags. The right choice will guarantee a

Choosing the right shopper for the job Posted on May 28, 2019 at 12:30 PM In part one of this two-part article, we covered the key benefits of choosing bags as a promotional item and why, year after year, they’re still the most popular and effective promo giveaway, beating power banks, bottle openers and travel mugs into a cocked hat. But with so many bags to choose from, and so many differing business needs and varying budgets, how do you choose the right one? This blog aims to help you make that decision, and ensure your brand gets the most prominence. Of course, as you’ll no doubt already have seen on the Bags of Ideas website, there’s a huge range of branded bags online to choose from and we don’t have the room to cover them all here, so we’re going to focus on the UK’s most common reason for buying promotional material – giveaways. And as a giveaway doesn’t generate a direct income, choosing the right product is vital to justify the expenditure. Free! Free! Free! The BOI definition of a ‘giveaway’ is a branded bag; literally given away (generally) in high quantities at an event such as a university fair, trade show or festival. The purpose is to increase awareness of your brand on the day of the show, and beyond. If purchased in bulk – orders of over 100k are out of the ordinary, and if you shop correctly they can be a low cost item. Several charities use a branded reusable bag as a thank you for a donation, even for quite small sums. But your ultimate selection depends on how you intend to hand them out and to whom. I know what you are thinking – surely it is the budget that will ultimately determine what bag will be used. You wouldn’t be wrong. But in this blog, our focus is on making the right decision based on your business needs. Understanding how promotional bag marketing works could even lead you to reconsider your plans, and even rejig the budget. There are two obvious scenarios which dictate the right branded freebie: we can call them “Competitive” and “Non-competitive”. • Competitive describes a situation such as an event where you are one of many organisations – perhaps in direct competition – such as a trade show. • Non-Competitive scenarios might include an event you are running – a conference, or a music festival – so you’re the only source of promotional product.   A competitive scenario forces you to choose something that paints the right picture of your brand, but still ensures that your bag is the must-have of the day. At a trade show your potential customers spend their day going from stand to stand, picking up some sort of promotional ‘freebie’ at each one. Most of these come with a printed shopping bag – containing catalogues and smaller promotional items – and they soon build up. Loaded down with goodies, most show-goers choose one printed carrier bag from their collection to store everything else in, and some cases some promotional conference bags will be disposed of in the process. You have to be the business providing those essential branded tote bags that survive the cull. Your bag needs to be big – with a gusset so it can hold all of the other stuff – and it should be strong and comfortable to carry. If you can, opt for a dual-handled branded canvas bag, the ultimate bonus feature (long and short) is ideal, meaning it can be used as a tote or a shoulder bag. In these Eco-conscious times, Branded plastic bags are simply out of the question, and not just because plastic carrier bags are still ending up in landfill in huge quantities. Choosing branded reusable bags that last long after the day of a trade show, ensures your brand’s visibility goes home with the attendees, and is used long after for the weekly shop or even the daily commute. On the other hand, a non-competitive scenario gives you complete freedom. Lets use a festival as the example – on entry, festival-goers get a programme, food and drink tokens, lanyards and other essential items, all safely coddled in a branded promotional bag. Seems straightforward, but have you given each reveller a printed bag they value enough to hold on to all day and take home as a souvenir of their experience. Hand out a bag with no “sex appeal” and it’s unlikely to travel further than the bin at the burger bar. An ideal festival solution is a rucksack of sorts – perhaps a drawstring bag – which allows the user to walk around hands free. And Festival weather being what it is, a water resistant style is a winner. No matter what the situation, to get the best out of your investment, you need it to be the popular choice so that it is re-used as much as possible, and if the user finds it impractical on the day, chances are it will go nowhere. The Big Decision 1 – Printing Requirements Brand communication is obviously key to promo giveaways, and simple logo design with spot/solid colours gives you the largest choice, simply because it can be printed anywhere. But as the complexity increases, that choice decreases, so it’s always worth asking: should we simplify the design in exchange for a more useful bag? If your design is complex – perhaps multi- or even full-colour – your bag choice should be complimentary. A white bag always brings out the best in full-colour printing, and non-woven polypropylene gives the cleanest result, although cotton bags are also a good choice for a more sophisticated result. As a rule of thumb, if you’ve been thinking about an eco-friendly woven bag – such as Jute – make sure your design is simple. Because of Jute’s coarse nature, screen-printing is advised. Avoid thin detail and complexity, such as fine text and multiple overlapping colours. Full colour prints on

Lets Benefit from Branded Bags Posted on May 3, 2019 at 2:30 PM Bags of Ideas very purpose is to help businesses find the promotional or branded bags they need, not only by offering the best range of products, but also providing the most accurate and relevant information to ensure customers make the right choice. In this, the first of a two-part blog, we’re going back to the basics of branding and promotional product marketing. We want to show why bags really are the most effective promotional product, and how to get the best out of your marketing investment, no matter what budget you’re working to, or what industry you’re in. We actually touched on this topic in an earlier blog, but this time we thought we’d delve even deeper. Historically, bags have always been one of the best-selling promotional products. In 2015, businesses spent £103million on branded bags in theUK, relegating the next biggest selling item – promotional pens – to a poor second place, by a clear £40 million. Four years on, the promotional product market has grown rapidly, but bags are still far and away the number one product with an estimated expenditure of £140million, or just under 15% of the total market. At Bags of Ideas – the most clued-up suppliers of branded bags online – we believe there is one simple reason for these impressive figures: branded bags are just the most effective promotional product, offering the highest impression rate and the widest geographical spread for brand awareness. In addition, bags don’t suffer from shifting consumer tastes to the same extent of other products, nor are they a seasonal offering. So, what is a branded/promotional bag? Simply put, it can be any type of bag that has been personalised, be it a company logo, a sports crest or any other form of imagery, representing an organisation, society or institution. Bag styles – and branding methods – vary greatly, from screen-printed supermarket plastic carrier bags and branded tote bags and conference bags, to engraved or de-bossed specialist laptop or hiking bags, and everything in between. Bags of Ideas can meet all of your needs, however niche. So let’s first look at the reasons why promotional bags are used, whether they be branded freebies given away at trade shows or university fairs, or a retail product sold on the high street. Brand Awareness Loyalty and Confidence One directly-related benefit to using bags as a marketing tool is customer loyalty and brand strength. Because branded reusable bags are long-lasting – offering continuous function – they stay with the recipients for a long time. Customers see a reliable and durable giveaway as having value, and suggesting strength in an organisation. In turn this promotes loyalty. This also applies to prospective customers; a long lasting, practical tote can encourage inquiries by helping to put out a strong perceived image of your brand. An added benefit is consumer confidence. Pens, for example, are known as a low-cost promotional product. With bags however, companies offering a well-made range of printed bags with desirable designs suggest financial strength, reassuring not only customers but also new prospects of your stability. Brand Identity Versatility is yet another strong selling point. Perhaps you need to promote a new concept or logo that is more than just a single-colour print. Because bags offer a larger print area, they allow for more creativity. A vast range of material options – including jute, cotton, or non-woven – means that even the most complex or intricate designs can be printed with vibrant colour and without compromise. Edge-to-edge, high-resolution full-colour printing means designs can be achieved easily and efficiently. And the longevity of the printed design is much higher than other alternatives. Most other promotional products tend to lose print with normal use – a pen being held, clothing going in the washing machine, a bottle opener on the key ring. Gift bags don’t suffer from this issue: they’re carried over the shoulder or in the hand and any wear is inside the bag, leaving the exterior in better condition. A print that stays intact maintains brand value, as opposed to a print that starts to fade, wear or chip. So how can you the strengths of a promotional bag in your marketing efforts? In part 2 of this blog, we’ll look at a range of bags, strategies and solutions – from low cost giveaways, to retail and for staff usage and motivation. A key factor for investing in any promo item is maintaining or boosting brand awareness. Practically speaking, it doesn’t matter if your business is B2B or B2C, a pen in a pocket, or a bag in the hand will ensure your message is not forgotten, and increases visibility and awareness to potential customers. But the exact level of impact depends more on the choice of product. For starters, to gain the best exposure for your brand or message your chosen vehicle should be practical and reusable. Pens are certainly practical: every desk has a pen on it, and almost everyone carries one in a pocket or a … bag. And they also get re-used until they run out of ink. But how far do they travel? And if you received a branded pen, how many other people would be exposed to the brand it bears if it’s hidden away in a shirt pocket? On the other hand, bags tick all the boxes – using your promo pen, perhaps? Bags are undeniably practical and re-usable, but they also travel as far and wide as their owner, and in plain sight too. Choose the right bag, and the potential visibility can be huge. Imagine the scenario; your company hands out free printed cotton tote bags at their next event, and all 1,000 are eagerly snapped up. That means 1,000 branded conference bags travelling around the event all day, and then on hundreds of different routes home as delegates leave the location at the end of the day. That means 1,000 portable brand ambassadors advertising your message on public transport and in

Green groceries: Shopping the eco-friendly way Posted on April 18, 2019 at 7:30 AM Last time, we saw how the UK’s bag tax was actually working and concluded that despite efforts to cut the use of plastic bags, the increased usage of heavy-gauge plastic bags-for-life was actually failing the environment. The bag tax wasn’t meant to stop people using bags, only the plastic they’re made from. Pollution, wildlife damage and finite resources are forcing us to find alternatives, yet the current bag tax is not leading to the use of greener materials. So what alternative promotional bags are available to replace the cheap carrier bags lining our shores, stuffing landfill sites and drain our precious natural resources? There are many alternatives to the printed carrier bags found at supermarkets and high street stores. But the choice of replacement depends on the context. In some cases, switching from low-cost plastic shopping bags to eco-friendly alternatives may not be viable, so we also aim to provide solutions for smaller businesses. As we saw last time, a big issue is the low value that consumers place on 10p bags-for-life, which is why so many end up in the bin. Increasing the tax this wouldn’t cut the manufacture of plastic carrier bags, but studies show fabric shopping bags – including Cotton, Canvas or Jute – aren’t used as bin liners, and are actually seen as an “asset”. The design and the material of such a bag contributes to the amount of re-use; the most-used bags feature custom prints, with the rate of re-use goes up in line with the attractiveness of the design, not only for shopping trips, but day-to-day. So, what factors improve re-use? Below we outline eco friendly solutions to the generic branded carrier bags available in your local supermarket, restaurant or clothing store. Whatever your need Bags of Ideas has custom carrier bags ready to print. Jute Bags The first eco-friendly material is jute, a heavy-duty material that is a popular choice to replace the single use bag. This style – with a rigid structure, and strong build – is particularly suited to supermarket shopping, allowing for easy packing and assurance with heavy loads. Jute bags are readily available in supermarkets, normally at a minimal cost to the consumer, but are rarely sold in retail without a custom design and print. A well thought out, on-trend and appealing design often leads to high demand. An example is gift bags with branding for charities such as Help for Heroes or Comic Relief. Plus, as the consumer is paying for the bag, the likelihood of re-use is greatly increased. By simply switching from plastic to a natural fabric there is little chance of the bag being used to collect and dispose of rubbish. As a retailer trying to encourage consumers to go green, never neglect attractiveness: simply printing your company logo may not be enough. Bespoke options being endless, there’s already a wide range of jute bags on the market. Trying to push an eco product based on profit margins may backfire – think more about the intended use. Cotton Bags “Cotton shoppers” is a generic term for bags made out of cotton or canvas – simply a heavier duty cotton). In some ways they are even more attractive than Jute, including the obvious fact Cotton is softer, lending themselves more to clothing retail than food. Jute still wins on strength and robustness, but Cotton is better for printed carrier bags used in clothing retail where the alternative is a printed plastic bag. One noticeable difference between Cotton and Jute is the pattern of re-use. Jute bags are mostly linked to supermarket shopping whereas Cotton appeals more for trips to the office or gym, high street shopping or as a school bag. It’s also worth pointing out that end-user cost is a consideration. Compared to Jute, the wholesale price of Cotton bags is lower, yet they usually bear a higher retail price tag. Yet the biggest source of reuse comes from giveaways at trade shows and education fairs, suggesting the high price tags adopted by retailers may not the right direction to go. Unlike supermarkets, high-street retailers often feature eco bags as part of their brand, and they are sold as a fashion item at consistent prices. The comparison below shows a jute bag-for-life, from a supermarket, against a canvas bag for sale on the high street, alongside the purchase price for similar bags. Retail Price £18 (H&M) Canvas Shopper Bag Under £5 (Bags of Ideas) Retail Price from £3-5 (M&S, Tesco) Market Jute Shopper £1.70 (Bags of Ideas) The price difference is huge, and no doubt discourages investment. Maybe if high street retailers took the same view as supermarkets, there would be more commitment to the use of eco-friendly bags-for-life. Smaller Businesses Promoting eco-friendly shopping may be riskier for smaller business. Investing in eco bags for direct sale to customers to re-use at your shop may not be financially viable in the medium to long term. One option might be to incentivise your customer to return with your old plastic bags, offering a discount for those who bring their own. Such a strategy, if it became popular, could significantly reduce your requirements for plastic carriers. Clearly, the current bag tax is not having enough impact and consumers can be encouraged to switch if the alternative is attractive enough proposition. Small adjustments from retailers could have a big impact on the way we shop.

Bags for Life UK: The Reusable Bag Movement Posted on March 29, 2019 at 4:30 PM No-one can escape the fact that the planet’s resources are running out – and have been for a long time. There’s more and more pressure to “go-green” every day. Yet by making small adjustments here and there, using recycling bins, using more efficient vehicles, car-sharing or shopping responsibly, we can all make a difference. The Bag Tax was introduced in England on October 5, 2015, the last of the home nations to do so. It was among the most visible moves by government to get us to switch from flimsy throwaway plastic bags to more heavy duty, reusable, eco-friendly carrier bags. Official figures show the numbers of single-use bags by the seven biggest supermarket chains has declined by more than 86% since the charge was introduced. And the total number of single-use plastic carriers sold by all 249 UK retailers who reported in 2017-18 was 1.75 billion – down from 7.6 billion in 2014. On the surface all this seems positive but recent data paints a different picture. Currently, supermarket shoppers pay 5p per single use plastic bag, or 10p for a Bag-for-Life: generally made from more heavy duty types of plastic, creating a bag with a much longer life span. Paper bags are not affected by the tax. As a result, the UK is has seen a huge increase in the sale of plastic Bags-for-Life – at least 1.18 billion. In reality, because of their generally larger size, and thicker profile, these are actually estimated to contain at least twice the amount of plastic contained in the old single use throwaways. It would be great if these purchases lead to more eco-friendly usage, such as re-use at the weekly supermarket shop. However, new research shows that although consumers buy Bags-for-Life with good intentions, they generally end up by using them in the same way as the old single use plastic bags. The statistics make grim reading: more and more 10p Bag-for-Life are ending up in landfill – despite clear indications to consumers that they can be recycled. A lot simply end up as bin liners. What’s worse is that the heavier duty Bags-for-Life are tougher than the single use bags they were meant to replace, and make take even longer to degrade. Some critics suggest that the Bag Tax concept needs an adjustment to have any real impact on the vast amounts of plastic still ending up in our streets and hedgerows and rivers, and choking sea life. At Bags of Ideas, we believe there are real solutions. If the widely-available alternative to single-use bags was a material other than plastic – such as a cotton or jute bag complete with your company brand – we might really help to save the planet. Eco-friendly natural-material Bag-for-Life designs also offer perceived value to the customer. Heavy duty, practical and memorable, a reusable shopping bag is much more likely to end up back at the check-out week after week. Britain’s supermarkets and high street stores do offer a wide range of real eco Bags-for-Life. They range from tote bags and printed shoulder bags, to larger jute shopping bags and cotton bags, but it’s clear that the use of this style of branded Bag-for-Life needs to be encouraged. Bags of Ideas sees many potential strategies to increase the use of eco-bags, reducing the use of plastic and enhancing brand recognition and public image through the increased visibility of personalised Bags-for-Life. Our custom bag company specialises in finding great solutions to particular problems. We believe we’ve identified several opportunities – other than selling directly to consumers – that utilise branded reusable shopping printed Bags-for-Life. All are made from alternatives to plastic, which not only reduce single bag usage but, at the same time, improve your Brand’s public image and increase public awareness. Customer loyalty is the foundation of two clear opportunities to increase the usage of printed plastic-free Bags-for-Life. Many retailers already run loyalty schemes where customers exchange collected points for in-store discounts or special offers. Why not allow customers to exchange some of their points for eco-friendly shopper bags made from natural fibres? This concept is attractive to company and consumer alike: on the one hand, the shopper “pays” nothing for the gift of the bag, and on the other the retailer retains the customer’s loyalty through repeat custom. In practice, point accumulation easily offsets the cost of manufacture of a custom-designed bag, plus there’s the added benefit of increased brand awareness. Design you Bag-for-Life correctly, and consumers will not only use it for the weekly shop, but for everyday use. Alternatively, a free Bag-for-Life could be offered to customers based on in-store expenditure. Spend X and get one free grocery bag, spend Y and receive two, and so on. To encourage repeat custom retailers might also offer a discount for customers returning to shop with the company-branded bags. But suppose your company does not sell physical products. What benefit might a custom tote Bag-for-Life bring? Bags of Ideas believes your company promotional profile would also benefit from incorporating this style of bag. Whether you attend trade shows or university fairs, handing out an eco-friendly, reusable Bag-for-Life will almost certainly improve the reach of your promotion. Choose the right custom bag company branding, and it will be re-used over and over, not only reducing cost per impression, but also ensuring potential clients see your brand. Inevitably, approaching this topic from the right angle, can bring your custom promotional bags wholesale increases in visibility. And these benefits outweigh the costs because their reach extends beyond your direct customer. Not only are your helping the planet, you’re helping your brand.

Safe and Sound; Satchels with Security! Posted on December 11, 2018 at 2:30 PM A few months ago at bags of ideas, we wrote a blog focused on ‘Anti-theft’, and highlighted a new range of products that are becoming popular in the market. This blog focused on some of the risks which commuters, students etc face daily, such as robbery and theft, and outlined the products and their new features that can help to minimise the risks. Some of the bags had great added features, such as concealed zips, hidden pockets and built in padlocks. Some were even manufactured from slash proof material. Following on from this blog we thought we would focus on another element of risk that is currently in the media, RFID scanning. With the rise in contactless payments, both with cards and phones, there is a risk of fraud via the airwaves. For this reason, at bags of ideas, we looked into RFID safe products that can be used not only to keep your belongings and data secure, but also promote your brand. You will now find in our ‘Anti-Theft and Security’ range, a whole heap of new products that can also be printed for increased brand exposure. The best thing about this range of products, is that aesthetically, nothing needs to change, so we have a range of promotional products that are on trend and functional – something that is not always possible. Below we have outlined a few of the products from the range, detailed their features and indicated how the bags differentiate from the norm, and how to ensure your belongings inside are secure. The first range we will look at is the Odyssey Wallets, 2 travel wallets, one designed for the passport plus extras and the other slightly larger in size, with more space for additional cards or cash. Both products are great as promotional items, and both sides of each product can be screen printed with a logo. Odyssey RFID wallet. Credit cards, passports and other ID cards have embedded RFID chips. The protection with this item is the entire inside of the wallet – as long as your card is inside, it is protected, and all RFID waves that are emitted, will be blocked, keeping you data secure. The next from the range is the ‘i-Stay Onyx’; part of the brand Avenue. A great all round bag for business or student use. The product has multiple compartments, as well as being able to safely house a laptop. Within the main compartment there is a clearly labelled pocket ‘RFID Shield’ – all items placed in here will be kept safe from contactless fraud. And of course – this laptop messenger is well designed to accompany any promotional branding. With a large clean surface on the front of the bag, your logo can be clearly visible when commuting. The final product is the ‘Vault Rucksack’. Larger in size than the messenger bag, this rucksack is a great option for business commuters or again students. This backpack also offers the option of 2 colour ways, allowing you to choose which colour reflects and compliments your company logo and brand image. As with the laptop shoulder bag above, inside this rucksack, the ‘Safety Pouch’ is clearly labelled, so you can make sure your items are in the right place, and secure. This bag can be screen printed, transfer printed in full colour or embroidered, depending on your taste; either way, with the large branding area to the front, you can really increase your brand exposure, and ensure the recipient, be it a customer or staff, have peace of mind while they travel. The best thing about the RFID safe products is they sit at the same prices as like-for-like non-RFID safe products, making them as affordable as a normal promotional rucksack or messenger bag with the same specifications. If you want to know about our range, or are looking for a particular RFID safe promotional bag, get in touch. We will be adding to our range, but if you cant see the bag you require, we will be happy to find it for you.

Winter Winners Posted on November 1, 2018 at 12:30 AM With the summer now drawn to a close, and the festival and bbq season truly over, we thought at bags of ideas we would focus on the upcoming months. Sports seasons are in full swing, the kids are settling into school, and the students are returning. With this in mind we want to give some ideas for how the education sector can use various types of promotional bags over the coming months, and how to get the most from the ideas, highlighting some alternative methods to self promotion beyond simply giving products away at events. Universities With students starting back, both new and old, we want to show you some great bags that can be utilised across the spectrum at universities. Whether its low cost motivators at the fresher’s fair, quality kit bags for the rugby team or practical rucksacks that can be sold through the student union; we have all bases covered. Our range of ‘cotton and canvas’ bags are an ideal starting point for universities. You may require thousands of bags, for providing welcome packs when newcomers start, or for holding the vital information for prospective students at upcoming open days. Or you could simply need a smaller number for a university club or society, to welcome the new members; we have you covered with multiple options with great printing options. Kasa Cotton Shopper Bag Aylesham Colour Tote Kanu Cotton Shopper Bag Amanta Document Bag Flapa Document Bag Eco Recycled Delegate Document Bag With the vast number of sports teams, clubs and societies available to students at university, from rugby and football, to fencing and gymnastics, all with their own identities – personalised kit bags or sports holdalls can be an effective way to promote their uniqueness, while at the same times enhance team spirit and camaraderie. Within our sections on our website ‘Sports’ ‘Holdalls’ and ‘Duffle’ we are certain there will be a bag that works for your team. With a whole range of bags suited to various uses, coming in different sizes and materials, from affordable low cost, to branded specialist bags. And if we don’t have the right holdall for your team – maybe the equipment to be carried is an obscure shape; you can always opt for a bespoke kit bag, every detail, made to your specifications. Below are a few select bags, which can be printed with your teams logo, and can even be personalised with player numbers and names if required to add that extra touch of class to your promotional team bags. Halfar Galaxy Sports Bag Tube Sports Bag SPORT BAG FLASH As well as promotional give away options, there are also great opportunities to sell branded products at a university – for the student unions, it could be a great opportunity to generate revenue and promote the university at the same time. The first opportunity is to offer a range of university ready bags for students to see them through the year – a well-made backpack or rucksack, built to last, and with all the accessories required for a busy student. The novelty of a university branded bag is always attractive to students, and the cost of branded bags, with a logo on, such as Case Logic – is lower through Bags of Ideas – meaning you could offer a unique bag, with university branding and easily compete with high street prices. Example of dual branded product – ideal university Our range also spreads to laptop bags and holdalls, and multi function bags – these could be ideal for students starting ICT courses, with designs built around housing computers plus accessories. Below is a small selection from our ‘Rucksack’ and our “Laptop Bag’ range that we think are ideal retail products for universities. Case Logic Ibira Rucksack Case Logic Laptop Bag Another opportunity for the resale of the branded items via university shops is to target university leavers. Every year thousands of students in every city buy leaving mementos, such as a leavers hoodie. As we all know, the leavers hoodie becomes an item for the gym or the living room – a great alternative could be a Leavers Canvas bag – a high quality item, for a fair price, which no doubt will have a greater impact, and more visibility due to the longevity. Also as a bag, there is no risk of the item no longer fitting (unlike a hoodie). A bag is a much more practical item too, no doubt leading to a much lower cost per impression, and high perceived value from the purchasing students. Below are some options we think would be great items, all on trend and built to last shoulder bags. Tranzip Computer Messenger Tote Sling Fair Wear F&C Hudson 14 Schools As well as universities, schools can benefit greatly from the use of promotional bags. In general, schools do not tend to partake in as many events as other sectors, however, if chosen correctly, promotional bags can have great benefits to schools, and can help maintain and strengthen their image within the local community. Branded school bags would be the first point of call – and by this, we refer to the rucksacks pupils use daily for their school essentials. This could be a rucksack, a backpack, or a drawstring carrier. These types of bags could be provided to students, or offered at a competitive price to encourage purchase. Much like a uniform that pupils wear, if the students are also carrying a branded bag with the school crest on, it essentially becomes an extension of the uniform, and part of the school image. For prospective students and parents, this image of unity can generate greater interest for pupils to enroll.   We hope this blog has outlined some ideas for the use of promotional bags within the education sector. As is clear a promotional bag does not have to be a low cost give away, and if you think outside