Summer Sun, and Bags of Fun Posted on July 26, 2018 at 11:30 AM With the summer well and truly upon us, and the sun cracking the flags, we thought we should make a focus on how promotional bags can be utilised best during the summer months to get your brand great visibility and what options there are for bags that are suited to promotions in the summer months. In this blog we are going to focus on the types of events and activities that occur throughout the summer. Come rain or shine, using promotional totes, rucksacks and cool bags can give you that extra edge, and ensure your brand does not get forgotten during the summer holidays, when generally, the focus of the population is getting outside and catching the rays, before they are gone. Plus, if you don’t have any ‘summer’ events, promotional bags you can use as alternatives during any trade shows on conferences. Festival season Whether you are running a food stand at Street Feast, or organising your own outdoor music event, using promotional bags at festivals is a great tool for promotion; there are a vast number of options available when it comes to carriers and totes, for every basis. To start with, if you are attending a festival as an exhibitor – be it a food stand, or retail, there is nothing better than giving away your products in a branded bag. The visibility this can gain during the day is massive. Many of these events have thousands of people – so why not make them aware of your offering? Bags like the below can be great to direct people to your location. Kraft Paper Bag Laminated Rope Handle Many festivals will offer a kit on entry – programme, vouchers etc. A great idea is to have these items all within a branded bag. As people come and go during the day, others that are unaware of the festival become intrigued – and thus, encourages others from the surrounding area to visit. Plastic Bags Cotton Shoppers As any festival organiser will know – selling promotional merchandise is a huge part of the financial viability of the event. Alongside the usual tshirts, why not include some well-designed canvas and jute bags. The perceived value of a well thought out tote is high, yet the products are affordable. Plus, as we all know, well-made promotional bags are always re-used, so not only will your brand be promoted on the day, but long beyond, making the cost per impression remarkably low, and massively increasing the awareness of your brand. The below are some great examples of stock items that could be used. However, if you have a large event – it could be worth looking at something bespoke, and creating something really unique, yet still not breaking the bank. Tandu Kuku Charity Events Value Non-Woven Shopper Premium Drawstring Branch Events If you are lucky enough to be hosting or are part of an event on the beach, the same rules apply as per the festivals, and the same benefits can be gained by branding your promotional bags. Below we have some other options that could be used as alternatives, that are more appropriate for sandier conditions. For general give away bags, the below options could be great, some which include a closure on the top, all with great branding space for increased visibility on the shores. Clip Close Vivi Beach In terms of the merchandise options, for re-sale, or more up-market giveaways, we have a great selection of beach bags, that can be well branded, that no doubt would be a popular alternative to your standard canvas totes or shoppers, with one bag even doubling up as a beach mat: Mat/Marlene/Marine And lets not forget about keeping those beers and sandwiches fresh. Cool bags can be a great give away item. Whether it be a 6 can cooler, a wine chiller bag, or a large family cool bag, we have you covered. We even have full picnic bags and kits that could be re-sold, or offered as luxury gifts, to your clients before they escape for the summer holidays. Halfar Family Cool Bag Bottle Cooler Bag As we all know, with the British summer, we cannot always depend on the sunshine, but our events must still go ahead. Within our range, we have some great products that could also be great promotional tools, either as re-sale merchandise or give-aways that would be welcomed if the heavens opened, or for making sure contents stayed dry on the beach. Below are a couple of options from our waterproof range. Scuba Bag Waterproof Pouch The Outdoors During the warmer parts of the year, there is a sharp hike in the amount of people participating in outdoor sports and activities. With this in mind, there is opportunity to deliver to clients, well thought out branded rucksacks, backpacks and holdalls as ‘gift’ items. Generally speaking outdoor bags are not low cost giveaways, so they should be carefully selected and offered to the right customers. And within our range we offer a great number of hiking satchels that could make a great impression in the right hands. On top if this, the nature of outdoor activities leads to great potential for visibility of your brand and identity. No doubt a well-chosen hiking rucksack will travel far beyond your customers office, increasing awareness far and wide. Below is a selection of bags that we feel are great products, and will leave a long lasting, positive impression. BACKPACK AND BAG 2 IN 1 Case Logic Ibira Other events If your company is not running of taking part in any outdoor events over the summer, there is still opportunity to focus your strategy to the season. If you are taking part in an indoor trade show or conference, where promotional bags are required, it would still be hugely beneficial to offer a product that would get maximum use during the time. Switching from a natural cotton shopper to a colour cotton shopper is a great

Bagging Ideas Around the Globe! Posted on June 14, 2018 at 11:30 AM At bags of ideas we pride ourselves in delivering a specialist website for all of your promotional bag needs; whether it be for conferences and trade shows, or bespoke technical rucksacks, made to your exact requirements for your staff. To ensure we keep delivering the service you require, we invest time into ensuring that what we offer online really does match our slogan. That’s why every year, we take trips around the world; from the UK & Europe to India, from China to the States; to research the industry and deliver the best possible experience to our clients and prospects. This year our travels took us to Germany, the States and the Far East. Before we leave for such trips – we sit down as a team to discuss exactly what it is we should be looking for. What are we currently doing well at with our promotional bag offerings, how can we improve and what are we missing to give our customers the best experience, both when finding us online, and when building lasting relationships. This year our aims were to look for new trends in the market – as fashion and legislation changes all the time, so does the market for promotional bags. It could be a certain material that is popular on the high street that is now high in demand for merchandising purposes. A material that has had bad press – that leads us to search for satchels that are ‘FREE’ of this material. Or rucksacks with a new feature that people are beginning to desire in the promotional market. We also wanted to look at new technologies and printing capabilities; what more can we offer to our clients when they order their marketing backpacks when it comes to branding options. On these trips it is also a great opportunity to see if there are potential new manufacturers with new products that can be used within our supply chain that can allow us to provide a better offering to our customers. As an organisation, we know price is not everything, and we pride ourselves on offering value, in comparison to ‘cheap’. If we spot an opportunity that can allow us to offer better value products, these will always be looked into, and if we believe our principals are retained, we welcome new certified manufacturers. Anti-Theft and Security The first new trends that stood out from our travels were the anti theft and security bags and rucksacks. We have focused on this previously in the following blog. With this new trend we have allocated a section of our website to this style of satchel, which can be found here. The simple philosophy behind these bags is a design that makes your bag safer; when on your back, or laid down in public – with concealed zips, pad locks, safety chains and some with knife proof front covers. Berlin Rucksack Bobby Ant-Theft Milano Rucksack Mélange Finish If you have not heard of the word – Mélange is a type of finish used on fabrics. Within the promotional bags market we noticed a small number appear last year – but this year it seems to be the on-trend material to have your should bag or shopper made from. With this increase in popularity we have added some great briefcases, document wallets, rucksacks and holdalls that not only are fit for purpose, but look the part. One great thing about this type of material is the high perceived value – cost wise the difference between a standard polyester case and one with a mélange finish is not huge, but the impression the product gives is that it is far superior, thus if supplying to a customer, the impact as a promotional gift can be great. Below are some examples of this finish across a range of styles: Halfar Modern Classic Shopper Berghaus TRAILBYTE F&C Campster 15 Male and Female Sizes A new trend that appeared this year was manufacturers noticing the differences in requirement for males and females. Generally with promotional bags – specifically sports and kit bags and holdalls, there is a one-size-will-do ethos. However, this seems to be changing, with first movers HALFAR now offering 2 sizes on a selection of their range. The main reasoning behind this is that women’s items are smaller (most of the time) – shoes, clothes etc. as well as themselves. So not only are women carrying round rucksacks and backpacks half empty, but most likely uncomfortably too, as they are designed for the average 6 foot man. Below is the first in the Halfar Male and Female range – offering a 14 and 22litre rucksack, with the same design. Halfar Step Medium Halfar Step Large Printing Technologies Printing technology has evolved massively from the simple 1 colour screen print we know and love. However, it can be the adaptability of the technology that limits the promotional market, and does, in terms of what you can print, where you can print it, how big the print can be, how many colours are possible on the bag and how quickly they can be delivered. In most cases if you wanted the perfect product, it would be a bespoke, made to order design. But – there is hope! Printing technology is adapting to the promotional market, which will allow for a variety of improvements; in service, speed and creativity. Throughout our time abroad we came across a vast array of printer manufacturers showcasing their latest technologies, and how it can be utilised for over printing items, such as bags, rucksacks, wallets and other promotional materials. The most noteworthy improvement is the quality of the digital printing has massively increased – sometimes referred to as direct to garment digital printing, or DTG for short. When a company designs it logo and corporate identity – printing this design is always a factor in the final decision – are the details to small, how small can the logo be printed clearly, will

Secure your bag for Business Posted on May 4th, 2018 at 01:30 PM Promotional merchandising, including bags, on the whole is viewed as a low cost motivator; where products are purchased in bulk, printed with a company logo, and handed out at large events, or distributed to large numbers of clients or prospects. However, there is another side to promotional giveaways that can add real value to your brand. A lot of companies now are seeing the benefits of investing in alternative promotional products, especially bags, and not only for customers, but staff too. Over recent years there has been an upward trend in organisations promoting their name through high quality, and in some cases, co-branded bags. Of course, if you are hosting an event with thousands of prospects, it may not be viable to hand out a top of the range OGIO rucksack to everyone that visits your stand. But what about your current customers, and of course your employees Sending a branded cotton shopper to your best customers at xmas may not give the best impression to some of your biggest clients, and giving your top salesperson a low cost motivator may not send the right signals around the company. This is where our range of high quality, technical bags, with designs for a variety of uses come into play. Looking at customers first – it’s a given that 99% of them use a bag to go to work. The way business is moving, everyone has to be mobile, and needs to take with them the vast array of technology wherever they go, safely. Providing practical, on trend, high quality rucksacks or holdalls to your best clients will give a great impression, not only from the initial receipt of such a relevant product, but the longevity of use, if chosen correctly. If you know your customer’s business well, choosing the perfect bags from the CASE LOGIC, OGIO, ZOOM , or the many other ranges should be easy. And with some tasteful co-branding, applying your company’s logo, no doubt your corporate image will only improve. To help a little further we have picked out 3 bags from our range, outlining what they off as a promotional tool, and highlighting the unique attributes, and the potential industries/job roles they may be suited to: BAG 1 – Proton Rucksack – Ideal for travelling Sales professionals – Airport friendly, large space for laptop and accessories, plus a large flat surface for clear company branding. BAG 2 – LAPTOP BAG 15 – Ideal for teachers/lawyers – large storage capacity for paperwork, laptop plus more. Multiple compartments aiding organisation. Heavy-duty, ergonomic design, tailored towards daily use. Generous branding space, for logo application. BAG 3 – Macau Trolley Bag – A perfect option for sales staff and travelling professionals; this product offers more space and improved mobility compared with a shoulder bag alternative. An Ideal option if travelling with more than just a laptop; e.g. pharmaceutical sales. Airport friendly. Large space for company branding on the front of the trolley. Providing staff with fit-for-purpose luggage also has great benefits. Firstly you can issue a bag that works for the individual – with a large choice of rucksacks, holdalls and trolley bags available, there will be a bag to suit every job description. By providing quality, branded satchels to your staff, you also ensure they are selling the correct corporate image wherever they go and create uniformity and consistency throughout your company. Every client, or prospect they see, and whenever they travel, that rucksack or briefcase, when on show enhances the strength of the organisation and hugely increases visibility and brand awareness. It is also common for these types of bags to come in a ‘range’, with 3 or more bags all with matching fittings and trim – like the CASE LOGIC, OGIO or ELLEVEN options – allowing you to choose one brand to work with even if you require 3 different types of bag.When staff are on the move or working out of office, there is of course the potential worry of the high value bags and its contents being a target for theft; it happens on a daily basis to even the most careful of us. Our new range of bags, (now available) are designed to mitigate this issue to the absolute minimum without compromising on usability, longevity or aesthetics. Our Anti-theft range comprises of luggage that will ensure contents are secure, whether on the tube, or in a coffee shop. The video below highlights some alarming statistics when travelling, and how these unique bags have been created with both security and usability in mind to hopefully bring those statistics down. Bobby Bag Video: Within the range of anti-theft bags, there are a variety of rucksacks and holdalls each with unique design aspects that will secure your contents. Some of the bags, such as the Bobby Briefcase have an anti-slash material on the outside – toughened to withstand the potential slash of a blade, keeping your contents inside the bag, where they belong. One of the other features on the bags is concealed entrances/zips. Many of the secure bags have been designed so that, once on your back, the zips are not accessible without removing the back from your person, stopping thieves taking advantage on busy trains or buses, and sneaking into your rucksack. To top of the security features, some of the bags come with a locking mechanism designed for when you may have to leave your bags momentarily (like in the video), and also designated pockets for your contactless payment cards to avoid anybody swiping the data. To see the full range of bags that offers the unique combination of brand enhancement + peace of mind, click here. One great aspect of high quality, co-branded bags, is that they are just as suitable for promotional branding as dedicated ‘promo’ bags are, though we found this is not common knowledge amongst all consumers. Whether you require full colour logos, screen-printing or embroidery – the options available are not limited due to being a branded product. In many cases the aesthetics and design can

It’s Not Hard to Compute Why Laptop Bags are a Promo Winner Posted on April 27th, 2017 at 04:30 PM A great laptop bag is the essential accessory for business people, and for promoting your brand. The usual target of promotional merchandise is other businesses, often via conferences or client sales and support, usually called B2B or Business to Business. Inevitably, many promo items are business tools – pens, memory sticks or notebooks, for example. But what business tool these days is as essential than a laptop? Now, while it’s unlikely your marketing spend will stretch to a free MacBook Air or Asus Chromebook, a laptop bag is a great accessory and the ideal promotional platform because it will get used every day, and put your brand prominently on show every day too. But it doesn’t stop there, the end recipient might not actually be your customer or potential sales lead. Many of the bags we sell are used by company employees to simply carry out their daily work: remember, it’s not just salesmen or managers that routinely use portable computers. From electricians to plumbers, delivery drivers to washing machine repairmen (or women) computers are a part of  their job, checking stock levels, consulting online libraries or filling in “paperwork”. At Bags of Ideas, we appreciate the demand for all types of laptop, ultrabook, notebook and tablet cases, from giveaway tablet sleeves – with branding – costing from less that £2 per unit, to tough, stylish and practical wheeled trolley cases, ideal for the international traveller, and competitively priced starting at less than £75 per unit. What you need to look for Notebook cases come in almost every shape, size, material and price range. Your ultimate decision will come down to the intended purpose, choice of material, protection level and brand customisation. We recommend starting with a clear idea of what your target market is, by asking yourself these four questions: Will it be exposed to the elements? If yes, best to avoid open-ended totes. How durable does it need to be? If it’s going to be used occasionally – for example, taking the equipment through an airport check-in – your requirements will be different to that required for the rough and tumble of the daily commute. Will it just be used to carry the notebook/tablet/laptop? A simple sleeve used to protect a tablet inside a larger briefcase or rucksack will obviously be smaller than a travel bag on wheels, but in between there will still be a need to be able to store power cables and adapters, books, pens pencils and even a bottle of water. How long will the user be carrying it? A Neoprene laptop sleeve may be fine if you’re carrying it between lecture theatres, but a day spent with it under an arm will tire out muscles and fray nerves. If that’s the idea then a backpack is more  suitable. Notebook computers are typically classified by screen size, with 14/15in and 16/17in being today’s most common dimensions. It’s important that the device fits snugly within the space, with no more than 2cm or so of “wiggle room”. In the event of an impact, for example, with a desk or other furniture, the equipment should be held firmly in place. Larger carriers like backpacks and briefcases usually come with an interior compartment for the laptop, notebook or tablet and as a general rule of thumb there should be 20% more capacity in the rest of the bag for all accessories. Material questions you should consider Your answers to the first two questions above are important; the more a bag is to be used, the more sense a well-made one makes. Take note of these signals of good – or bad – quality: Seams and stitching: check the stitches on the leading edges. Quality bags will have heavy duty double-stitching and for durability the stitches will be on the inside of the seam where they are less exposed. And unless you’re actually looking for an “artisan” finish, the stitching will be consistent, inside and out. Quality manufacturers don’t cut corners. Material: Many of the Laptop Bags we sell at Bags of Ideas are made of Nylon, a versatile man-made textile which comes in many different finishes and characteristics. It is usually rated by “Denier” – the same term used for spangly tights and seamed stockings – but instead of a sheer 10 Denier used for hosiery, exterior-rated Nylon is usually at least 500 Denier for toughness, meaning that the threads are at least 10 times thicker. The Macau Laptop Bag is a well-made, modern, robust black backpack, which is great for the business traveller who wants to avoid aching shoulders or a grumbling back. Its large main compartment is separate to a sleeve which easily accommodates a 15-inch computer. It also has several smaller pockets for every accessory you can think of. Another favourite is the Case Logic Laptop Bag, a modern take on a laptop bag with a more feminine chic. It is attractively ergonomic, rejecting dull corners and embracing elegant curves, yet big enough to house a 15in computer. For those essential personal items there is an adjustable pocket, two detachable pouches, and a securely placed phone holder, keeping your smartphone safe though accessible: a great choice for the modern businesswoman. Neoprene is another material with good wear characteristics. While it’s usually employed for laptop bag interiors or sleeves, it is sometimes used on its own, such as the Lupus Tablet Sleeve. The Lupus is perfectly-sized to hold a standard size tablet such as an iPad and has a zipped main compartment, front pocket and carry handles, with generous print area to the front for your logo or message. Neoprene is also more familiarly associated with wet suits. PVC is a material which appears at all levels of quality. The Halfar Success Laptop Bag is an on-trend, heavy duty shoulder bag, with a main compartment, a padded sleeve and Velcro fastening for a laptop, as well as two smaller pockets for accessories like a smart phone. One of the benefits of PVC is

Life’s A Beach, So Bag Yourself Some Brand Awareness Posted on April 10th, 2017 at 02:30 PM Summer holidays aren’t all they’re cracked up to be, let’s be honest. What, after all is the attraction of stretching out on a beach, sipping a cocktail and soaking up the rays? Who are we kidding? It’s a very attractive proposition. So much so that “summer” holidays aren’t simply confined to the summer months any more. The growth in winter sun, spring sun or “late season” getaway holidays means that tanning oil, bikinis, flip-flops and all the usual beach accessories are now a year-round necessity. You also need to be seriously looking at the one thing that holds every holiday together … the quintessential beach bag. No matter if it’s a handy-sized bag for those essential beach accessories, or a shoulder bag just to stuff that swim towel in, you simply must have one. Tote-ally Amazing For All The Family Think about it. A beach tote is as essential to anyone planning a day out – not just at the beach but frankly anywhere – as remembering your sunglasses, wellington boots or everything your need for baby. Without the roomy canvas bag that holds so much more than you can ever imagine, you’d be weighed down with picnic food, blankets, buckets and spades, spare shoes, clothing or underwear, reading materials etc etc. The list goes on and on when considering just what you end up piling into the oversized canvas tote that rules the beach. That’s what makes a the gift of a beach bag the ideal promotional tool for your business. Your brand always on show and associated with fun in the sun, wherever and whenever you find it. And because beach bags are usually large capacity there are generally large areas available for branding at the right price. The knack is to make the right choice of beach bag. The bags that people will want to take with them wherever they go. How do you do that? It’s all about the vibe really. Are you heading to a beach with the whole family that’s likely to end up all sandy and wet? Are you in the UK climbing a hill to have a picnic at the top and admire the view or is it a chilled out day at the races with your friends? Either way, your way or someone else’s, there is a beach bag of the right size just waiting for you. For the messy, sandy beach trip you need to be looking for a spacious and waterproof tote bag – preferably with a zipper to keep the sand from tumbling in. For the hike up the hill you want a lightweight beach bag, probably one that you can put on your back – or use as a shoulder bag – but still have enough room for the picnic blanket and food. Keeping The Water Out If you’re the sort of woman who only has to consider themselves and the only decision to make is whether to use factor 30 or factor 15 then the whole beach bag cannon is on offer. A family heading to the beach would benefit from adding a few smaller waterproof drawstring bags in which to put wet beachwear, plus a couple of dust bags to keep things like keys and money in so that they don’t get all tangled up with the numerous shells and pebbles that are likely to be collected. In fact, a great idea would be to get every member of the family group their own cotton shopper with a waterproof bag inside and a dust bag for delicates so that they all fit inside the large beach bag but keep all their beach accessories separate. The hill-climbing crowd – unless they’re attempting to drag a handful of reluctant children up there with them – probably need a canvas tote that is spacious enough for a blanket or ground sheet, holds at least one bottle of decent wine (or water if they’re being good) and enough food to sink a ship. They probably won’t need much more than a camera to take shots of the view to stick up on Pinterest and possibly an old-fashioned map just in case there is no phone signal. But, the most likely user of a good beach bag by far is the single girl on the beach travelling with friends. Let’s take a peek in her beach bag and see just how much one woman can fit into a large size tote! First off there’s going to be sunscreen (we’re talking Mediterranean beach here, not some dreary, damp UK backwater) plus a spare lower factor suncream in case she feels like she’s not tanning fast enough – the lobster look never goes out of fashion when fair-skinned Brits travel abroad! What every woman needs, once tanning is taken care of, is beauty and hair maintenance. After all, just because you’re lying on the ground surrounded by sweaty and sandy people you can’t have an off-day can you? So, in her holdall beach bag you’ll probably find a collection of face creams, lip balms, waterproof mascara, more lip balms and probably oversized sunglasses from an up and coming designer who anyone under the age of 25 would never have heard of. Then of course there is the essential smartphone in its waterproof casing to catch-up on Facebook and Instagram, headphones so that she can’t hear the seagulls but can have a whole play list blasting in her ears for hours. Plus, there’s the e-reader with the latest must-have chick-lit best-seller or, if she’s into retro and can remember how to actually turn a page, then she may well have an actual book nestled in the bottom of her beach bag just waiting to be plucked out from underneath one of those chic Kaftans and the spare flip flops. And of course, it all has to go with that pretty summer sun dress. Of course, it soon becomes clear that choosing the right low-price beach bag with a view to using it as

Dust Bags Posted on November 30th, 2016 at 04:30 PM Everyone’s talking about custom cotton Dust Bags… but what exactly are they?! Ok, so you’ve heard the buzz about custom cotton Dust Bags and you want to know more. Picture this, an exclusive jewellers sells you a wonderful watch and puts it in a dinky little drawstring bag to protect it. Or you buy a luxury handbag and it comes inside it’s own protective bag to keep the dust off… that’s a custom cotton Dust Bag. Using the cost effective draw string, rope handle bags to place products inside can take a middle of the road item into a perceived high value item just by the pull of a draw string. It can also give an already high value item that extra special care it needs in one of the most cost effective ways around. Customized Dust Bags Made From Scratch All our Dust Bags are made to order and although we have a standard list of sizes to help people get a feel for what size they may need we are as comfortable to make bespoke bags in whatever size fits your purpose as we are to make the standard sizes. All you need to do is tell us what you’re trying to achieve and for what purpose and we’ll work with you to make it perfect for you. “Having a Dust Bag is like two gifts in one as the packaging is often as desirable as the gift inside” C. Margerison Independant Carers How Do You Know Whether a Dust Bag is Right For You? A Dust Bag may not be the right thing for all products to be displayed in, but if you’ve got this far down the Blog there’s a good chance that you think it might be just the thing for you. Ask yourself the following questions… Does my gift/product need to be displayed as a high end item? Am I looking to impress the market place and consumer? Do I want to stand out from the crowd? If you’ve answered yes to any or all of the questions then it’s highly likely that a Dust Bag could work very well for you. Our ethical trading approach allows us to be confident that every Dust Bag we make meets all compliance necessary and therefore give you peace of mind in the knowledge that you’ve encased your gift in a beautiful and highly crafted item, ethically sourced and made to order just for you. Contact us here for more on our range of dust bags today!

Cooler Bags Cooler Promo Gifts Posted on October 7, 2016 at 12:30 PM Why Cooler Bags are Even Cooler Promo Gifts Cooler bags are cool. They’re bright, useful, desirable and ideal for displaying your brand. And because they are almost indispensable to modern life, they have a high reuse value, making them an ideal promotional or advertising platform at the camp-site, picnic, beach or supermarket. A custom-printed or bespoke cooler bag gives your business a cool and colourful way to stand out from the crowd. But even if it’s cold outside and the autumn leaves are turning golden, it’s always the right time to talk about Cool Bags—or thermal containers—as they are more correctly known. Simply put, their purpose is to delay or even stop the contents becoming the same temperature as the world outside. Cool boxes—and hot boxes—have been around for centuries in one form or another. The Romans used straw-lined boxes to protect the alpine snow that they liked to serve with fruit syrup—the original Slush Puppy. And as recently as the 1930s, Iceboxes—literally hollow-walled containers with tin or zinc and packed with various insulating materials such as cork, sawdust, straw or seaweed and chilled by blocks of ice — were used to keep food fresh and palatable in ordinary homes. Many Americans still call their refrigerators the “ice box” today. The familiar portable ice chest, or Esky, was patented in 1951, although its plastic Styrofoam lining was only introduced in 1957. But the fragility of the Styrofoam insulation and the large thicknesses required meant that Eskies were large rigid boxes, and you needed a vehicle to port them round. Sixty years later, modern technology means Cool Bags are now light, thin, flexible and practical for all sorts of uses, from keeping the lettuce crisp and drinks cool for a family picnic, to ensuring that expressed breastmilk stays good for baby or that diabetics can safely take their insulin while they travel on holiday. Highly-insulating polymers and reflective surfaces will keep temperatures stable for many hours, and they can be found in a range of colours, shapes and sizes. Thermal bags to keep pizzas hot as they travel to the front door only date back to 1983, but perhaps a smaller personal cool bag is just the thing to keep those baked potatoes warm on the way to the festive firework display. Use Them wiselyPutting cold food straight from the fridge into the cool bag—and the use of gel ice packs—can mean that the contents will saty cool for hours or even days, depending on how often the bag is opened and warm air is allowed to get in. For the real foodie, there is also the sous vide cooking method which is perfect for a thermal bag. Food is brought to the desired temperature, sealed in a non-PVC bag and placed inside the thermal bag where it maintains the temperature to within a few degrees for long periods. Sous vide produces results that are almost impossible to achieve by traditional means. Beef ribs braised at 58C for 72 hours melt-in-the-mouth but remain pink and juicy, while the delicate, custard-like texture of a precisely poached egg is amazing. For long trips, the wise traveller brings one cooler for beverages and another for food because beverage coolers are opened more frequently allowing the warm air to enter and warm the bag. The food cooler then stays colder for longer. And don’t fill soft-sided coolers with loose ice because sharp edges can rip the lining. You should also note that full cool bags keep food at safer temperatures for longer than half empty ones. One final tip for everyday use. As tempting as it might be, don’t put your soft cool bag into the freezer. You run the risk of cracking the insulation and destroying the bag. Bags should only be washed with warm soapy water and occasionally disinfected with an equal mix of water and white vinegar. Even mild bleaches such as surface sprays can lead to rotting of insulating material. To avoid odours, leave your bag to dry in the open air with the lid open. Putting your cooler in the dishwasher is also likely to ruin the bag. Better Bags by DesignAt Bags of Ideas we have a wide range of Cooler Bags for all customer needs, from the small school lunch cooler or multiple drinks can container for the car boot to larger models ideal for a family picnic or day at the beach, or to carry home the frozen peas and sweetcorn back from the supermarket. The perfect travel accessory with the perfect capacity, cooler bags make the perfect promotional gift for any business. Other design-focused totes in the Bags of Ideas range feature external pockets or zipped compartments to stow other items for the dedicated traveller. All our cool bags feature sturdy handles, and many come with adjustable straps to make them easy to carry on your travels. And with Bags of Ideas’ unrivalled bespoke design service, you can be sure that your cool fresh custom-printed giveaway—in polyester, PVC or woven fabric—will be the perfect promotional tool. Remember that because of the need for waterproofing with cool bags, there is no alternative to man-made materials, ruling out the popular eco-friendly alternatives of Jute and Canvas. But Polypropylene (PP) being a thermoplastic is both recyclable and re-usable. You can see a full explanation of the properties of PP at https://bagsofideas.co.uk/woven-or-non-woven-which-way-do-you-polypropylene/ We will guide you through the complete process from the selection of bag style, colour and material, to ensuring that your brand message gets the best display. Remember that with bespoke bags, delivery can take between 6-12 weeks after the artwork has been approved. To find out more about custom bags, have a look at our Bespoke Bag Page.

Should Corporate Branding Colour your Thinking? Posted on September 15, 2016 at 12:30 PM At Bags of Ideas, we’ve been supplying branded promotional products to both large and small businesses for more than 30 years now and the message is finally getting through to marketing departments; effective branded merchandise needs some room to breathe. An overly-strict adherence to a business’s brand management policy can damage the impact of fashion-related branded merchandise, be it travel mugs, pens and pencils or a USB flashdrive. This is even more important when dealing with items like promotional bags or any product with a large advertising surface, such as a golf umbrella. In both these cases, what the item actually is says something about the person who is either wearing or holding it for everyone to see. For example, if the base colour is dull and muddy, what might that be saying about the bearer? Colour is important, regardless of branding restrictions, and there are countless creative opportunities to quickly make your corporate logo stand out from the crowd. Any business wants their brand or identity on the promotional product to be as visible as possible, to stand out from the crowd and be seen and communicate a positive message. And colour is key to achieving this goal. As this graphic shows, the Psychology of Colour plays an important part in consumers’ day-to-day buying decisions. Only 7% of people buy without considering the appearance of a product and up to 90% of the decision is based on colour alone. This one’s a keeper Although promotional company merchandise is given away free, the chances of the receiver holding on to it and continuing to use it or wear it – in the case of clothing – in the months or weeks ahead, depends primarily on its attractiveness. In examples given here the company logo itself provides minimal opportunities for effective branding and promotion, but with the appropriate and effective use of colour, focus and attention is drawn to the company name and website address. The non-woven PP “bag for life”, with long robust handles, clearly communicates the company’s values and identity in a fashionable way, without compromising on those all important brand values and corporate guidelines. The added value that a trusted promotional bag specialist like Bags of Ideas offers over and above an appreciation of brand values, is to translate those values into an effective and attractively designed bag, whether it be a lightweight carrier bag, or a drawstring, laptop or sports bag. Rules are made to be bent It’s how you apply the rules that’s the big question. For some successful international brands, colour and brand name have to co-exist at all times Examples include those where colour dictates the brand identity, such as Easyjet orange, Subway green, UPS brown, Cadbury’s purple and Starbuck’s Emerald. The base colours are so powerful in identifying brand ownership that it would be disastrous to introduce others. Both Subway and Starbucks employed promotional bags in an appropriate tone of green and managed to maintain the integrity of the brand in gift items. Both canvas bags are attractive fashion items with sufficient branding to gain attention when used and reinforce brand values and customer loyalty. Fortunately, many brands and companies now have greater flexibility in policies on brand colour usage without damaging brand integrity, allowing them to use a collection of colours. This Fitness First bag introduces a non-corporate colour with the blue nylon material surround to once again provide an optimum focal point for the brand name on a white background. Obviously, this would work well with other colours such as pink or purple. Of course, promotional products – and especially promotional bags – are all about getting your logo or message seen. Hogging the limelight Whether you are at a conference or exhibiting at a professional trade show and want visitors to promote your brand on an eco-friendly jute or canvass conference bag, or on a printed cotton shopper or backpack used for a weekend retreat, the colour will be the first thing that grabs people’s attention. This brings me to my key point: all bags, whether they be branded cotton shoppers, tote bags, sports holdalls or weekender bags, must have an appeal to the user, otherwise they won’t be used. People can look a gift horse in the mouth, after all The fact is that if this means using a different colour to the corporate hue to promote the brand, then so be it. I have daughters who need backpacks for school and when I suggested that I could get hold of a quality promotional backpack, they just weren’t interested … unless they liked the colour. After all, a backpack is a fashion item and an extension of their personality and vision. We all make choices everyday on what we like and don’t like so colour dictates decisions, and whether the promotional bag is a basic paper bag or even a plastic bag, its colour will be the first thing that will determine whether to use it or not. Once colour options have been identified, a multitude of choices open up to create a fashionable and functional promotional bag which will attract consumers of the brand and reinforce the brand qualities with a touch of class. Making the world see red The ultimate success story is to have branded merchandise that people want to buy because of the strength of the brand. There is no doubt that a brand does not get much bigger than Coca Cola. There are even stories told that Coca Cola gave us the red and white Christmas colour combination we have today. While it’s true that at the beginning of the 1930s the nascent Coca-Cola company turned to a talented commercial illustrator named Haddon Sundblom, who created a series of memorable that associated the brand with a larger than life, red-and-white garbed Santa Claus. But as is detailed on the Snopes.com myth-debunking site, images of extravagantly-bearded Santas clothed in red

Great British Beer Festival Posted on August 29, 2016 at 2:30 PM We recently published a blog on the benefits of promotional bags for conferences, exhibitions, festivals and trade shows. This can be found here: LINK. Next we thought, as it’s the summer, and the sun is trying to come out, let’s focus on a particular event, to give real insight into the marketing strengths of bags which should be adaptable to your event too. I give you the Great British Beer Festival. Below we will discuss the best bags for your bottles and why, to ensure that you can make the most of event down at Olympia this August, and keep you customers refreshed throughout the summer. What is the GBBF Well, as the name says, it’s a beer festival – but not just any beer festival – it’s the biggest event of its kind in Britain, with a staggering 900 beers, ciders and perries on display to try and buy. Over the five days, from August 9-13th, over 60,000 parched punters will walk through the doors, ready to taste some of the best beer the world has to offer. And if the breweries play it right, they should be stumbling out with their hands full of goodies to take home too. So, with 60,000 people walking through the door, you don’t just have the opportunity to impress with your beer, but make a mark with your brand. And we are going to show you how, by picking the right bags. At the GBBF branding is clearly important, as the organisers themselves had over 100,000 glasses printed up with the GBBF design on. Sampling the beers requires a glass, and the first thing most visitors do on arrival is to buy the latest version. The cost of the glass is refundable, if you leave it behind when you stagger home. Most people however keep it. Why? Something to take home from the day, a memento, a reminder of the fun they had, and ultimately something to help to bring them back for another year. Which Bag? Now, to understand the philosophy, you must understand the event, and its two sides. First, it is an all-ticket ticket event – the punters are paying. This also means you have an organiser. Second it is an event based around a purchase. Organiser Let’s focus on the event organisers first – they have their brand to uphold – the Great British Beer Festival. We’ve already touched on the use of the glasses. On top of this, there is great opportunity to introduce a bag as a free giveaway that will be practical but also allow the word of the festival to spread far and wide. A cotton shopper would be an ideal bag to use, which you offer to customers upon entry – within this bag there are details of the festival; a floor plan, a programme, a music list, maybe some additional advertising material from third parties to cover the costs of the bag itself. Plus, the GBBF logo plastered on each side as big as you can get. Like the glass, this will be kept as a souvenir for the day, but unlike the glass, this bag will prevail in spreading the word; on the day, as people leave the venue, high spirited, which is quite possibly the best type of advertisement, and beyond, tomorrow’s hung-over trip to the supermarket and Monday’s trip to the gym. The bag can be used as a great tool to push the festival to the next level. Exhibitors What about inside the event – when the attendees are already inside – the event has already been sold to them at this point – what’s next? Now its over to the exhibitors themselves. The event has to be profitable for them, so they need to consider their choice of bag carefully, which means they must consider the cost of the goods they are selling too. Now – had this been a technology convention, and exhibitors were selling laptops, or tablets, spending £2- £10 per bag to present the product in may be fine, as the margins are there to cover the costs. But with the average price of a bottle of beer to be taken away for later consumption and delectation being around £3-10, bags should be cost effective. Perhaps you need a tier strategy based on the customer expenditure. Tier 1: If someone buys one or two bottles, with a total value under £10, a carrier bag is given – the most cost effective option. These can be picked up for a few pence, and will do the required job on the day – advertise your brand, and ensure the customer has something to hold their recently purchased brew in. Have a look through our selection of carrier bags here where you will see they can be picked up from as little as 7pence each. Tier 2: if the amount spend is a few extra quid – £20+ lets say – why not provide them with firstly a more suitable bag to carry the beers, and secondly something a little nicer to show your gratitude. It won’t go unnoticed. For example, the jute shopper bag below can hold six bottles of wine/large beers, and has dividers. This would also have great use outside of the show itself, ideal for trips to the supermarket to do the big shop, and having your beer logo on each side, it’s the perfect place to advertise – the alcohol isle. 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. Tier 4: Now this tier may be when a customer

Conferences and Exhibitions Posted on July 11, 2016 at 12:30 PM About a year ago, Bags of Ideas looked Exhibitions and Trade shows. You can find the original blog at Exhibitions and Tradeshows.  However, reading it back, we realized there’s so much more to tell you about in terms of getting your bag choice right on the big day. So, here is the all new definitive guide to exhibitions, conferences and tradeshows. We aim to show you what the best bags are – depending on your budget – the benefits to using bags at events, and how they can continue to push your brand long after the day has finished. Choosing the Right Bag Get it wrong, and it’s a wasted marketing opportunity. Get it right, and you will reap the benefits long after the lights have dimmed and stands have been packed up. First, think about the type of event you are going to be exhibiting at. Each of the suggestions below has it’s own special requirements. For example, a small paper bag at a University Fair will not be much use with the bulky, heavyweight prospectuses that they will be expected to carry: Conference Trade Show/Exhibition Festival University/Career Fair Further than this you should also consider the following factors when looking at the bags. If you can nail both lists before making a decision, you‘ll be on the right track. How many people are expected to visit? How many people are exhibiting? How long is the event? How much literature you have (and possibly others)? Will people be walking, or sitting? How large is the venue? What’s the theme of the day (Eco, IT etc.)? What’s your budget? Now you can start thinking which bag will help you get the most out of your event or perhaps even run through some scenarios. Conferences There are two definitions of the term conference within our context. 1 A formal meeting of people with a shared interest, typically one that takes place over several days 2 A commercial association for the regulation of an area of activity or the exchange of information Just look at this picture of a typical commercial conference to see immediately some factors to consider … There is limited space, Everyone is sitting down, and Everyone is taking notes. People going to conferences are likely to have a bag when they arrive to carry notebooks, laptops and other personal items, so depending on the amount of literature you are giving away, it’s best to keep your giveaway bag to a minimum size; a document wallet would be an ideal solution from our section Conference & Document with any of the below being suitable: On the other hand, sometimes people are paying to be at a conference, and may have travelled from afar to be there. In this case, your promotional bag could be something a little more special. For example, a lecture on ICT – for which the audience have paid to see – might be the perfect place to offer a nice Laptop Bag. It will still hold all the leaflets and brochures but its use would continue long after the event, acting as a memento of their participation. WAll of these can be offered as branded conference giveaways at reasonable unit cost which you can be certain will be retained by the receiver. It’s even worth considering a notebook within the bag to at such conferences, which can be supplied within the bag itself, and used to record the important information from the day. Have a look at our notebooks section here. Tradeshows/ Exhibition The dynamics of trade shows are very different to conferences. They normally consist of a large space, divided into stands, with a variety of different business trying to sell or promote their ideas or products. With trade shows, especially product-based ones rather than services, your choice of bag should be dictated by practicality. Every stand will be trying to give visitors something to remember them by. So they will obviously need a big bag to carry all their booty, be it catalogues, flyers, other promotional items or samples. For this reason, the bag also needs to be heavy duty with strong handles and durable construction. So, while a paper bag might not be quite what you are looking for, a large canvas bag, or woven bag with a gusset would be ideal. Also think about user comfort; a bag with dual handles will allow them to alternate between using shoulders and hands to carry it. It’s also worth pointing out that at any of these EVERYONE will be giving out bags. Simply put, the biggest and strongest bag will win because it will be the bag that everybody puts their smaller bags inside. The aim should be to ensure your branded carrier is the must-have bag because it will be the one that gets the most visibility on the day. Festivals Festivals are another matter: festival-goers are not usually there to buy things, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t marketing opportunities. It all depends on the context. Take for example, the Great British Beer Festival – held every August. The GBBF is not so much a festival as a trade show albeit with a party atmosphere. In contrast, as a music festival organiser you’ll most likely be giving away a pack to everyone who enters with some event essentials: Sun cream, baby wipes, event programme, sunglasses, etc. Provided in the correct bag, this could be a great advertising tool, not only throughout the event but afterwards. Here too the choice of bag is important. At festivals, the last thing most people want to do is carry a bag by hand – therefore the best option would be a rucksack of sort, either a drawstring, or small backpack. University/Career Fairs Like the GBBF these almost always resemble a trade show, the big difference is that you can guarantee everyone there will have hefty prospectuses or company brochures and that there will be a lot of

Hey Jute. You’ve got it in the bag Posted on May 27th, 2016 at 2:30 PM Early 2015 at Bags of Ideas we did a post on Jute as a material, why it was eco friendly, and made some suggestions as to what jute bags you may choose.  But other than quoting Jute’s green-credentials, we didn’t give a huge range of detail as to why and when you could use it as a promotional tool, and what benefits it offered over other materials such as cotton, paper and canvas. So let’s start with the main use in the UK of Jute bags today – the “Bag for Life”. Jute is a really great material for this role. Not only is it strong and hard wearing, its hessian-style look adds to the “eco” image associated with a Bag for Life. If you want your brand to clearly shout “environmentally conscious” – jute is the way forward. There are also Fair Trade options. With England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland now having one form of bag tax or another, there’s huge demand for a range of ethical, environmentally-sustainable carrier bag alternatives. Generally speaking, cotton bags are a more cost effective option, but Jute is hard to bead for longevity. Strength Compared to cotton, jute is simply much stronger, whether it’s for day-to-day usage, or extreme circumstance – like getting caught on sharp edges – jute always comes out on top. It’s much more robust and will withstand the daily battering a Bag for Life will inevitably be receiving as it gets thrown around, packed into car boots, pulled from cupboards or put under wholesale stress and strain. It’s also readily able to hold items such as tins and bottles with a high item weight, and in quantity. Practicality When using bags as a marketing tool you have to consider practicality; in other words, is the bag easy to use? This may seem like a silly statement, as surely a bag is a bag. However, you may be surprised. One practical element of a Jute bag that sets it head and shoulders above the rest is the rigidity; the ability to stand up on its own. A jute bag can stand up, so when loading shopping at a supermarket, it’s a doddle. And equally, when not in use, it can be rolled up or folded to take up a minimum of space, unlike cardboard or plastic boxes. It also retains its shape even in hot conditions. Style For the fashion conscious, jute is also a great option. Its rustic appearance, whether as a shopper, like the simba shopper here, or as a shoulder satchel, like the Soko, looks great. Added with the fact being eco-friendly is now also trendy, jute offers affordable and attractive bags for promotional and retail purposes, which massively increases perceived value and longevity. Showing your Brand Now let’s look at some of the myths around Jute, the main one being that because course-feel makes it hard to print, it is a poor solution for a branded promotional bag. There is some element of truth in this; any fibrous, course material will more difficult to print on than a soft, smooth surface, but it’s far from impossible making it is a versatile product with great scope for branding potential. Screen-printing on Jute is not an issue. Though a naturally course material, with items such as bags there is a focus on cleaning up the edges so that they print well. In addition, most Jute bags will have a clear laminated surface on one side (the inside), which firstly adds a level of water resistance, but also allows the ink to better hold to the surface of the bag, making printing easier. If you want intricate detail, screen-printing may not be the solution. Though a screen print will hold well, with the light weave, detail will not show well. But there is a solution: Transfer printing! This works quite well on jute bags, and offers a long lasting solution if you need a full colour image; despite the course and fibrous nature of the surface, as the transfer is sealed by heat, not just a sticky surface, the adhesion is great, and will last. Juco If you are not a fan of transfer printing though, all is not los; Juco – a combination of cotton and jute – may be the answer. Juco’s manufacture offers the best of both materials, retaining the strength, durability and practicality of Jute, with a finish more like cotton, allowing for more detailed direct printing. As you might expect, it is more expensive than plain Jute, but that is more than made up for by the additional flexibility if required for branding. So if you are in need of an eco-friendly, durable alternative to the traditional plastic bag, a jute Bag for Life may well be your answer; a jute shopper is bound to make a strong lasting impression on any target audience as a promotional marketing tool. Can’t find the bag you’re looking for? Try our Bag Finder and narrow your search in minutes! TRY BAG FINDER

The England Bag Tax: 6 Months On Posted on May 9th, 2016 at 3:30 PM More than 6 months ago, at Bags of Ideas we looked at the newly-instated Carrier bag tax in England in our blog: The 5p Plastic Bag Charge & How Your Business Can Benefit. At the time of writing the English bag tax was in its infancy – but now, half a year down the line, we thought we would take a look at how the tax is working, and if there really are opportunities to take advantage of in terms of your promotional marketing strategy. In 2014, British supermarkets alone gave 8.5 billion plastic throwaway carrier bags to their customers. It’s figures like this that led to the bag tax, in order to reduce this unnecessary consumption, and the burying of all that plastic in landfill sites. How long it takes plastic bags to degrade is debatable, mainly due to the fact that they’ve only been around for about 50 years; however, scientists are divided on timescales, with estimates ranging from 25 years to 500 years. Considering all of this, the obvious fact is that none of it is necessary anyway. Bags can be recycled easily. Some UK councils even collect them straight from the doorstep. If plastic bags were widely recycled, it would reduce the damage caused to the environment – including a build-up of indestructible plastic waste in rivers and seas, and reduce the usage of oil, the finite fossil fuel from which almost all plastic bags are made. Sadly, worldwide, it is estimated that only around 5% of these bags are recycled. Scary statistics like this led to the bag tax, in a bid to reduce unnecessary consumption and waste. Actually, England was very much a latecomer to the party; Wales and Scotland had both already adopted a version of the bag tax along with many other countries around the world, and to great effect; with a fourfold increase in the sales of so-called “Bags for Life” and an estimated 80% reduction in the use of disposable plastic carrier bags, it was an obvious step to take. So has the Bag Tax been a success? Well in short, yes! It’s done exactly what was intended, and that’s to reduce the number of plastic bags consumers are using, and move them over to more eco-friendly solutions, such as Cotton and Canvas or Non-woven Bags for Life. Tesco claim that the number of bags they dish out has dropped by around 78% since the introduction of the tax, and, the sale of reusable bags had soared. “What does this mean for us promotional marketers” you say. Well, it’s time to start reacting to the demand, because there is a huge opportunity to get even more out of an already massively beneficial advertising tool. With consumers being forced to “pay-or-change”, the visibility of your promotional bag can grow exponentially. What may have left the house once a month – if they remembered to pack it – will now be an essential item for any trip to the supermarket, where it will be in-sight to potentially hundreds of people per trip. So, whether your business is in retail or not, every consumer now needs a good Bag for Life in the UK, and not just one. This means that the next event you do, if you offer a bag as a give away, there should be some careful consideration as to which one you choose; not only should it meet your requirements on the day of your event, but it should also be an ideal bag for that individual to do their shopping with the day after. Now consumers must pay for their carriers, there’s even more resilience to that bag having a logo plastered all over it. To put simply, why should the customer pay to advertise the shops brand? This adds even more value to a promotional shopping bag than ever before, as customers are usually happy to advertise something they have received for free. Now isn’t the time to scrimp on a below-par promo bag, as the chances are it will simply go in the bin. As a marketer, you should be considering the best offering within your budget. A solid cotton or canvas bag, or a robust jute bag, with solid handles, that can take the heaviest of shopping loads when your target market does the weekly “big shop”. It’s also an added bonus if the bag please’s the fashion conscious because they could be using it on a daily basis! Think practically; a bag with a gusset, such as the market shopper will be more beneficial to a consumer than a bag without, as it will offer more space for those bulky shopping items. A bag with a short handle will be better too for a shopping trip than a shoulder bag, something like the Funo Shopper Bag would be ideal! As a promotional marketing tool, there’s never been a better time to look at bags. The demand for them across the UK and Europe has never been bigger. The cost per impression can only get more attractive; this year we have a tax on plastic bags – next year there is talk of a total ban, thus demand for reusable bags can only increase. And if you get it right, not only will you be offering a practical product to your consumers, also you will project a solid company image, high lighting a green approach to marketing. Can’t find the bag you’re looking for? Try our Bag Finder and narrow your search in minutes! TRY BAG FINDER

Cotton and Canvas: Don’t weave now, I’ve Cotton idea! Posted on April 11, 2016 at 12:30 PM At Bags of Ideas, our biggest selling promotional items by a long shot come from our Cotton and Canvas range. People love them! However I regularly get asked: “What is the difference between Cotton and Canvas”. My usual answer refers to the weight of the material – but actually there’s more to it than that. So prepare to be wowed as I weave my way through the finer details of Cotton and Canvas bags! The confusion starts with one simple fact: a Canvas bag is made from cotton, though not a lot of people know that. Cotton is a classic yet comparatively cheap material for promotional items. It’s organic, natural and durable, and sourced by us from ethical, fair-trade and eco-friendly suppliers. It’s popular with women users and a favourite with young and old. But the real difference lies in the way the material is constructed – its weave. This blog aims to detail the different types of weave, so that when you come to order a Cotton bag – you know exactly what you need! Calico Cotton – as used in our most popular product the 5oz shopper bag – is known as Calico. This is closely (but lightly) woven – meaning it doesn’t stretch but will let light through – unbleached cotton. It has natural character with random specks of colour throughout, as seen in the close-up below. The material has a low level of transparency – meaning the contents of any bag will be slightly visible. For example, the shape and colour of a product will be apparent. And please note: Calico is definitely not waterproof! Nevertheless, it’s a great option for a promotional tote or duffel bag, being strong, hard wearing and cost effective in any quantity. At Bags of Ideas, printed classic shopper bags start at less than 57p per unit (plus VAT)! Added to that, the bag surface is perfect for printing, be it screen, transfer or digital full colour designs – good quality detail can be achieved, even photos, and the material absorbs inks well, allowing for long-lasting brand awareness, simply add your logo. Cotton Calico also lends itself to colour dying without too much added cost; a huge selection of hues are available “off-the-shelf” so you will find one that compliments your brand image without breaking the bank. Canvas Canvas by definition is a strong, unbleached, course material, and though it does not have to be made from Cotton to be Canvas, in the promo business, when we refer to a Canvas bag, Cotton Canvas is assumed What differentiates between Cotton Calico and Cotton Canvas is the structure of the material. Canvas – what many would call Heavy Cotton – features a tight weave, as can be seen below.  A bag like this one constructed in 10oz material is a great example of a standard Canvas tote. The weave of Canvas, unlike Calico, renders it opaque so the contents of a bag are hidden from view. Natural Canvas has similarities in look to Calico, including those random speckles, but its weave makes it is a lot stronger – meaning it is perfectly suited to large shopping or ready-for-anything kit bags for school or the gym. As with Calico, Canvas is not naturally waterproof but it can be treated to become so because its weave is tight enough to hold on to a sealant material. Generally, however, promotional bags are sold untreated. The tighter weave also means more Cotton is used in production so a Canvas bag will be more expensive and heavier, though of course, you are getting more bag for your buck! Heavy Canvas is a great option for a “Bag for Life”, and with the UK Bag Tax introduced in 2015, there is great opportunity to market your business with a robust, long-lasting Canvas shopper. Drill Cotton The final option we look at today is Cotton Drill. While similar to Canvas in the sense that it has a tight weave, the pattern created is much more attractive. This twill weave – as featured below – with its attractive ridges, adds a lovely texture to the material and is similar in finish to denim. We generally do not routinely stock Drill Cotton promotional bags since they are made from quite a specific quality material, which makes them more expensive than the Canvas or Calico. For this reason, Drill Cotton is generally used only for a high status bespoke item. Our custom dust bags – designed as a protective cover for quality items like handbags, shoes and jewellery – are a perfect example of the correct use of Drill Cotton. With luxury, prestige items, available from high-end retailers and outlets, having a classy-looking branded promotional bag to compliment is quite important, and maintains commercial presence every time the treasured item is taken out of the wardrobe. Drill Cotton is also used in a variety of other products such as clothing, home furnishings and aprons, and there is a huge variety of colour ways already available. That means there is a good chance of finding a match for any corporate colour, rather than having to dye the material for a project, which can be costly. Now you’re cottoned on As a rule of thumb, if you’re looking for a value shopper bag, Calico is your choice, for a mid-range offering, use Canvas and, if you are going bespoke, or want something more luxurious, consider Drill Cotton. If you are unsure about anything we have discussed or would just like some advice in choosing a promotional Cotton bag, the friendly team at Bags of Ideas is always here to help, so please feel free to contact us.

Alternatives to printing promotional bags Posted on March 22, 2016 at 12:30 PM Following on from our last blog (which was a long one!) where we focused on the different printing methods, I promised I would follow up with information on alternative branding methods. Printing may not always be right thing to do – be it personal preference or product limitations. This blog will look at two further options , when to use them, and what their limitations are. Engraving Certainly not really something that you’d think was appropriate for bags. It’s more often used on metal pens, or glassware and awards but the opportunities might surprise you. The Method Similar to direct-to-garment, laser engraving is computerised. The artwork is set up one the computer, the product placed in the jig, and the machine does the rest. It’s a fairly straightforward method, and depending on the complexity and size of the logo, it can be very quick. And because, the process is computerized the standard of work and quality control is excellent. The video below gives you an idea of the process and while features a pen – not a bag – the principal is very similar. Why Engraving It’s simply a great alternative to printing if you are looking for something a little different. And even with promotional bags there are opportunities to engrave products you may not have known about. Engraving’s one big advantage of course is i great advantage to engraving is that it lasts – there is no ink involved, no transfer – it is simply a mark made on the product that cannot be scratched off, or fade. No other method offers such longevity. While printing a large logo can sometimes look a little over the top, engraving often provides a more subtle, understated finish. For example, a top of the range laptop bag used by your sales team on a daily basis; an engraving on a metal tag or plate will give a more professional look when meeting clients than a full colour transfer. And engraving also is not limited to metal . Laser engraving means you can decorate fabrics such as fleece, cotton, felt, leather and jute to give a unique effect. Essentially the laser “burns” the fabric in a precise way to create a darkened patch which forms the design or logo – see the picture and video below for reference. Unlike printing, laser engraving allows for very detailed designs to be created in the smallest of spaces. One small discrete metal emblem could stylishly show off your logo, without the risk of ink filling. This also means you can subtlety place your logo on additional areas, such as a zip, or a button, where it’s impossible to print the simplest design. Engraving also doesn’t have to be colourless; we can colour fill etchings with Pantone to your specification – giving the best of both worlds. Have a look at the image below to get an understanding: Smaller quantities and pre-production samples (PPS) can be done much more quickly and cost effectively since setup costs are not generally charged for engraving and the process is not as time consuming as a screen print. One possible drawback to engraving on metal is not knowing what is underneath the surface For example, you might have a silver tag which, when engraved, reveals a possibly unattractive brassy tone below. In some cases this might be undesirable, so you should be aware. Always get a PPS prior to bulk production. There are also variations in the finish from machine to machine; some lasers react differently with the surface of the metals, which can create different coloured engravings, from subtle grey, to black. So again, always get a sample so you can see the result before you commit to bulk production. r a halogen light. The heat of the halogen hardens the emulsion, and burns the logo. The screen is then washed to reveal the logo – this part of the film has become thin enough to allow the ink to pass through. Now you are good to go – the screens are placed in the machine, colours mixed, and the printing can begin. The logo is printed by using a squeegee; this runs along the screen, pushing the ink through then onto the bag underneath. Finally, you are of course limited by the bag itself: some designs come with metal plates ready for engraving, but paper gift bags and plastic bags are not an option at all. Some fabrics may also be too light to laser engrave, including the eco friendly 5oz cotton totes, as the material may burn through. Embroidery Embroidery is a great option for promotional bag branding, and can really add a touch of class and professionalism to your campaign. The Method Embroidery, similar to engraving and DTG requires digital setup, and quite a complicated one too. The process – called digitization – turns your logo into a format that the embroidery machine can understand, and the design is created stitch by stitch. The images below show how a digitized logo compares to the original logo, and the finished result: Once the digitisation is done, the product is loaded into the jig as the image below shows. Many embroiderers have large machines with many heads, like this six-headed beast below. And this one has 42! Why Embroider Having a bag embroidered is not normally out of necessity – more aesthetical preference. Certain types of bag that look better with embroidery too depending on the material. Embroidery offers a more upmarket style of branding than printing. On more expensive items, it often increases the perceived value, so as a corporate gift, or as a sales tool, embroidered promotional bags add an extra touch of class. And it’s quite a durable branding option too. Because the colour is in the thread, there is no ink involved, which means that fading over time due to washing and sun exposure never becomes an issue. Another real benefit is

To screen or not to screen, Print is the question? Posted on February 22, 2016 at 2:30 PM Throughout the Bags of Ideas website we make references to many types of printing for your promotional bags, but chances are, not everyone knows what the difference is, or what is best for them. Now your questions have been answered – below is the definitive Bags of Ideas guide to printing techniques that we offer, and when they are best. Go on, have a read – we have even thrown in some videos to make things more exciting! Screen Printing Screen-printing is the most common method of branding within the promotional industry. It’s a great method that started out as a manual process, but now, in many factories, its completely automated, which makes it even more efficient, and means we can deliver your orders quickly. The Method As with all printing, we start off with a logo – this is always better if it is a vectored file (means we can adjust the size without pixilation). This is loaded into the relevant software – and is printed onto what are called transparencies. Next the screen is coated in an emulsion on both sides; the logo is applied, and then placed under a halogen light. The heat of the halogen hardens the emulsion, and burns the logo.   The screen is then washed to reveal the logo – this part of the film has become thin enough to allow the ink to pass through. Now you are good to go – the screens are placed in the machine, colours mixed, and the printing can begin. The logo is printed by using a squeegee; this runs along the screen, pushing the ink through then onto the bag underneath. If there were a large number of bags to print, we may opt to create more than one screen, and use more than one printing head in order to speed up the process. Depending on the factory, we could have five or ten printing heads running at any one time. Also, if the logo has more than one colour additional screens are required as they only allow for single colour use. After each colour is printed the bags would then be dried, before being packed. Below, the video goes a little further into the details of the stages. https://youtu.be/gNWS6DrDOEM Why Screen Screen-printing should be the first port of call for branding – it’s a tried and tested method, which gives a long lasting, clean and professional result. It lends its self better to spot colour printing, as opposed to logos with gradients – though they can be achieved, there are other methods better suited. Screen-printing is also the most cost effective method of printing, even if a large number of colours are required. Also, in some cases (always worth checking) the printers will keep the screens, so repeat orders will come at a reduced rate, and you can be guaranteed the same logo as before (size and placement). Screen print also allows you to do large prints – the whole side of a bag, without an increase in cost. Generally speaking a screen is around 30x30cm – and any size logo within that area will be the same price. Some other methods of printing use such a vast amount of ink, that a small increase in logo size will push up the price – this is not the case with screen-printing. Screen printing automation has also come a long way, and now with machines like the below, you can brand irregularly shaped products fast: https://youtu.be/YksbOXlimRM Finally screen printing offers the best colour match when trying to achieve a dedicated pantone, unlike a CMYK print, which maybe be close, but cannot guarantee it. One downside to Screen printing, is that for small runs of items it can be a costly method, due to the set up charges involved. But, this would only be for the first order – as once the screens have been made, they can be re-used for exact repeats. The comparatively large screen charges also means pre-production samples (PPS) will be costly – though most companies will deduct the cost from the bulk if you proceed. As a rule of thumb, factories will maintain the screens for between 6 months and 1 year, after which they may be recycled. It’s always worth finding this out, and also the screen policy – sometimes repeat orders will have half price screens, other times they are free, and in some cases, but less frequently, factories do not save them at all, so the charges will apply every time. Recommended Products For Screen Printing: Transfer Printing Transfer printing is another popular method for promotional bags. As the name would suggest, the logo is essentially a sticker that reacts to heat in order to seal the transfer to a surface. The Method As it stands (as far as I am aware), the method for transfer printing has been the same for a very long time – though there are now some presses are automated. A logo (or design) is required, as with all of the methods I will discuss (you can’t print without a logo). But for this method, the logo is printed early on, and later applied to a bag. Look below; a mid sized industrial printer, which will print the desired amount of logos on to vinyl sheets, and cut around the design, where required (this can be programmed). Most of the time, the logos will be printed as if they have been flipped- so when they are applied to the product they end up the correct way. In order to get that logo or design onto the bag it should be placed in the heat press, and lined up. Markers should be made to ensure all products are printed in the same place. The logo should be lined up, the heat press set to the correct temperature and a sheets of greaseproof paper (or similar)

PP, what is it good for? Absolutely everything Posted on February 10, 2016 at 2:30 PM Two questions that keep coming up are: just what is PP? And what’s the difference between woven and non-woven PP? There’s a third question which necessarily follows: Which is best for me? It’s such a common question, it made me wonder if there wasn’t a straightforward answer already out there, and I couldn’t find one either. So, the aim of this blog is to answer these questions, in simple terms, and help you find the bag you need. Let’s start at the beginning. PP – what is it? PP – or polypropylene – is a thermoplastic. In Layman’s terms, that’s a plastic which comes in many forms from resins to pellets and which, when heated and set, takes on the properties of a solid plastic, hardening as it cools. Best of all, this process can be repeated again and again, making it recyclable and re-usable. Many Uses PP is one of the most versatile plastics known to man, and can be found in everything from carpets and cars, to plates and planes. It can take many forms, from completely solid – like a garden chair, to fibrous, like the back of carpets – or bags. PP has some great properties that make it especially good for promotional products. Firstly, it doesn’t absorb water (unlike nylon or polyester which makes it really good for the likes of school bags, shopping bags, cooler bags or beach bags, where water resistance is an important feature. It’s also a brilliant insulator – which is why you’ll find products like flasks and cool bags made out of PP. Its characteristics allow temperatures to remain constant for longer – keeping cold things cold and hot things hot. PP is also very cost effective. In terms of bags, it comes in two forms, and though there is a price difference between them, both are affordable when compared with other materials including polyester. So and Woven and Non-woven. What’s the difference? The names are self-explanatory. One is made from woven PP fibres, and the other isn’t. More specifically, woven PP is composed of fibers woven together in sheets, aligned at 90 degrees to each other, with the fibers going over and under one another, as shown in the image above. Non-woven is made in special heated presses under pressure, to create a sealed sheet. Both materials are strong but woven PP is the strongest. The videos below show how sheets of non-woven PP and how woven sheets are made. https://youtu.be/M8oATReY204 The time involved to make a woven bag makes them more expensive than non-woven, but and both are very cost-effective when compared to rival materials. Shopping Around Non-woven is better at keeping the water out, as it is a solid sheet of material, whereas woven bags can let water through the weave. An alternative here is a laminated woven bag, which will add the level of protection required, while retaining the positive features of woven PP; this is always something to check when ordering a woven bag as to whether it is laminated or not. For promotional materials, both materials lend themselves towards shopping bags – with the woven type being more suited for big loads, such as bottle bags or even sand and building materials. Below are some prime examples of woven and non-woven PP bags. In general, however, non-woven PP tends to have more uses in the promotional market. It can be manufactured much more efficiently, and cost effectively, increasing its appeal as a material. And Now in Colour For example, from stock (i.e. off the shelf) you can find all of the following made from non-woven PP: beach bags, cooler bags, dress/suit bags, messenger bags, aprons, rucksacks & backpacks and even car windscreen shades. Also, the manufacturing methods allow easy dying of the material, therefore not only do you find a large product range, but an extensive colour range too – take a look at this non-woven shopper bag and the standard colours it is available in. With woven bags, off-the-shelf choice is limited – in many cases a woven bag would be custom-made, so it’s worth bearing in mind the extended lead times; from scratch, delivery time could take anything from 6-12 weeks after approval of artwork. To find out more about custom bags, have a look at our Bespoke Bag Page. One feature of both woven and non-woven bags is that the surface has texture. From an aesthetic viewpoint it gives the bags a unique look, which looks especially nice with the bright colours, however, for some there is an issue with print clarity. If your artwork is intricate with a lot of detail, it’s worth checking with en expert to see if the print will work. If it’s too detailed you may want to opt for a bag with a smooth finish, like light cotton, or polyester. But it is still possible to get a great finish with a detailed picture, so don’t write off PP just yet: At Bags of Ideas we believe PP bags are a great option, with an attractive price point, durability and great versatility. Even the printing limitations are actually not that limiting. But don’t take our word for it – try a PP bag yourself!

Bag yourself some brand-awareness! Posted on January 25, 2016 at 11:30 AM Promotional products are everywhere!! I bet there’s one on your desk right now plastered with a logo, be it an old classic like a mug, or an eco solar power bank for keeping your smart-phone alive. Promotional products have been used for years in the UK – but why? Why do companies spend hundreds of thousands every year on printed merchandise, giveaways, goodies, stocking fillers, what ever you call them? Hopefully I can shed some light on this, and show you the benefits of promo items. More importantly I’d like to show you why the humble bag is the best – and in many cases the essential – promotional item for any campaign. Rather than bore you with the long and illustrious history of promotional items, I’m going to go straight into the benefits they can provide, and offer some tips on choosing the right products. Before we do, first consider the alternative; unbranded giveaways. Do you think a product with no logo would make a lasting impression – do you think you would remember who gave if to you a month down the line? Even a week down the line? Selling point no.1: Brand awareness The term is self-explanatory – how aware the consumer is of you. A great example, though an extreme example of strong brand awareness is Sellotape – a brand is so stuck in our minds (excuse the pun) that we call sticky tape by the brand name (brainwashed?). What about Post-it Note (Sticky Note), Hoover (Vacuum), Fridge (Frigidaire), Portakabin (portable building) and Coke (Cola) ? Even the word tabloid, used to be a brand name! Promotional merchandise is great for brand awareness, and branded items can be distributed in many ways in order to get your logo in front of potential and existing customers. It also sends the right signals – to be seen to be spending on merchandise suggests you are a stable organisation, in a strong financial position. On top of this, once your brand is printed on the product, and in the hands of the lucky receiver, there are many future opportunities to make an impression. It could be that this one individual is subject to continual awareness (a pen). Or – if you choose your product wisely – the product will travel (a bag), meaning that your brand could one day be on the tube, the next day on the beach. Each time it is seen by more and more people, the cost for that advert reduces. In simple terms, promotional products, if chosen correctly (high quality and useful), can offer long lasting, cost-effective advertising. Selling point no.2: Staying Power Choosing a product that will not only travel but also last is important. The right promo can offer great longevity as a marketing tool, especially compared with alternatives. Let’s consider a flyer – it arrives in your letter box, you may read it, then it goes in the bin, It doesn’t get pinned up on the wall, or put in the photo album. Now consider a promotional bag – it has a use. It may be used for trips to the gym – and with the advent of the 5p plastic bag tax – to the supermarket. If you’ve supplied a good quality this will continue day after day. Every trip to the gym or the shop is adding to the awareness and visibility of your brand. With the introduction of the bag tax in England, the opportunity levels have increased dramatically for bags as a promotional item – making promotional bags a ‘no brainer’. At Bags of Ideas, we believe that the best way to get these benefits using promotional items is through the good old fashioned bag. Bags are the best. They’re useful, purposeful products. They also look great, with many on trend options available. Everywhere you go, someone is holding a bag – why not have your logo on that bag. And bags never run out, like a pen, or a notebook – bags are for life! But don’t just take our word for it – studies prove that there are bag loads of bags out there, making them the most popular promotional item even more than the most popular trusty pen. I think our argument for bags is pretty strong – but even if you decide to give away other items at your next exhibition, surely it’s best those items are in a bag with your logo on!

The 5p Plastic Bag Charge & How Your Business Can Benefit Posted on October 5, 2015 at 10:30 AM As of October 5th 2015, a 5p charge was introduced on all disposable plastic carrier bags. This means that shoppers across England will be charged to use plastic bags for their purchased goods. For many forward-thinking businesses, this offers a fantastic opportunity to supply their own ‘Bags for Life’ as an alternative to store-bought plastic carrier bags. Read on to find out more about the so-called ‘plastic bag tax’ or skip ahead to find out how to capitalise on the government’s 5p carrier bag fee. The 5p Carrier Bag Charge Explained The 5p plastic carrier bag charge is intended to reduce the use of single-use plastic carrier bags in England, and the damage they cause to the environment when littered in our towns and countryside. According to research, in 2014, 7.6 billion plastic carrier bags were given to customers by major supermarkets across the country. That’s equivalent to 61,000 tonnes of waste that takes far too many years to degrade! Strictly speaking only larger retailers are lawfully bound to levy the 5p charge, however smaller businesses can charge for carrier bags on a voluntary basis. Research suggests that the vast majority of independent retailers will follow suit, with corner shops already set to cash in alongside the high street supermarkets. Despite being dubbed the plastic bag tax, the 5p charge is not a tax at all; the money charged following the change in legislation does not end up in the government’s pocket. All proceeds from the sale of plastic carrier bags is collected by the retailer, who are being encouraged to use the proceeds for good causes. Every year the government will publish a report on how much is made from bag charges and what is donated by each retailer. There are a few exemptions from the 5p bag charge. These include: Paper Bags Plastic carrier bags from shops in airports, on board trains, ships or aeroplanes Bags containing certain items such as raw meat, fish, unwrapped food, prescription medicines, seeds, bulbs, flowers or live fish. Bags used to giveaway promotional material Woven plastic bags Returnable, reusable bags (‘bags for life’) How Can Your Business Benefit? Experts predict the 5p charge will see plastic bag consumption fall by 80% – the equivalent of 6.4 billion bags. In light of this, the number of people purchasing reusable ‘bags for life’ is expected to increase. Never before has there been such a high likelihood that promotional bags will be used with reliable frequency, so it’s a fantastic time to supply your own ‘bags for life’ to meet this new demand. Above all, the increased use of reusable bags will bring a greater return on investment for your business. Bags for life provide a valuable, cost-effective branding platform for generating awareness and helping your business to stand out from the competition. The 5p charge will boost the practical lifespan of reusable bags, which will directly impact the longevity and effectiveness of your promotional bag marketing campaign. Even consumers not actively seeking to purchase bags for life will welcome a branded bag that is far more cost-effective than a 5p plastic bag. Tradeshows, events and conferences are a perfect opportunity to give out promotional reusable bags to reach a wide audience of potential customers. How to Make Sure Consumers Use Your Bag At Bags of Ideas we have years of experience in supplying branded promotional bags for a range of businesses. We know just how important an innovative, eye-catching design is for making the right impact and maximising brand awareness. To help you design the perfect promotional bag for your business, follow these two simple tips: 1 Carefully consider the type of bag your consumers will benefit from the most. Strong, gusseted bags are best for supermarket shopping, whilst smaller cotton bags are ideal for day-to-day use because they can be rolled up and tucked into a pocket. 2 Don’t simply brand with your logo, cover your bag with bright, attractive designs that will appeal to your customers and stand out from competition. Go the extra mile by using clever, on-trend or amusing bag designs that people are going to want to use time and time again.   See below for recommended promotional bags for your business. Please get in touch if you’d like to find out more about our services and how to design your perfect bag.   Promotional Shopping Bags Here’s a small selection of our promotional shopping bags.

Exhibitor Tips for a Successful Trade Show Posted on July 20, 2015 at 03:00 PM Trade show marketing is traditionally one of the most effective ways a business can promote their products and services and maximise brand visibility and credibility. It’s also one of the most costly and time consuming marketing practices, but get your strategy right and you could see an impressive return on investment. Expand your customer base With the right strategy, trade shows provide an excellent opportunity to generate highly targeted sales leads and expand your customer base. Utilising marketing tactics such as promotional bag giveaways and a well-designed booth can leave a lasting impression with prospective customers. Reconnect with existing customers Trade shows also allow you to strengthen relationships with your current customers. Inviting them to come to your trade show exhibit means you can introduce them to new products and services that will encourage further engagement and brand loyalty. Strengthen your brand The publicity and exposure offered by trade shows is highly valuable for building brand awareness. Whether you’re a new business looking to get your name out there or an established company looking to expand your customer base, trade shows allow you to get your brand noticed – and remembered – by your target market. Review the competition Another benefit of trade shows is that you can review your competition and learn which direction the industry is heading in. Knowing what companies are doing well or poorly, and what is trending in the field can be useful for honing and developing your marketing strategy. Our Trade Show Exhibitor Tips Infographic Planning a trade show marketing strategy can be daunting, especially if you are new to exhibiting at these types of events. With extensive trade show experience, here at Bags of Idea we know exactly what it takes to ensure your exhibit is successful and generates valuable sales leads. To help you out, we have designed a handy trade show infographic with a step by step guide on what exhibitors should do before, during and after a trade show to maximise ROI. Functionality in Focus Eco-Friendly and Sustainable: Personalised shopper bags make a significant contribution to environmental sustainability. In an era marked by heightened environmental awareness, these bags offer a reusable and eco-friendly alternative to disposable plastic bags. Their durability ensures they can be used repeatedly, reducing the reliance on single-use plastic bags and mitigating associated environmental impacts. Cost-Efficient Choice: While personalised bags may entail a slightly higher initial cost compared to their single-use counterparts, they prove to be cost-effective in the long run. Numerous retailers and supermarkets extend discounts to customers who opt for reusable bags, making them an economically prudent choice over time. Tailored for Versatility: These bags come in various sizes and designs, rendering them suitable for a wide array of purposes. Whether you require a robust grocery bag, a capacious beach tote, or a compact daily companion, you have the flexibility to customise your shopper bag to cater to your specific needs. Want to share this infographic on your site? Simply copy the embed code below. <a href=”https://bagsofideas.co.uk/10-steps-to-trade-show-success-2/” title=”10 Steps to Trade Show Success Infographic”><img src=”https://bagsofideas.co.uk/img/10-Steps-To-Trade-Show-Success-Infographic.jpg” alt=”10 Steps to Trade Show Success Infographic”/><br/> Bags of Ideas – The Promotional Bag Specialists</a>

Exhibitor Tips for a Successful Trade Show Posted on July 20, 2015 at 3:00 PM Retail Exhibitions Retail Business Technology Expo 2015 The Retail Business Technology Expo (RBTE) is the well established, must-attend event for everyone involved in retail. It provides retailers with the best tools, advice and inspiration to improve their retail performance and is attended by an exhaustive number of professionals and exhibitors. Topics covered include big data, stock management, click & collect and much more. The last RBTE attracted over 8,500 attendees making it the most successful to date. 2015’s show is set to be the biggest yet with 450+ exhibitors and 150+ conference sessions giving in depth insight into every aspect of retail technology and best practice and also customer experience. The show runs from the 10th – 11th of March at Olympia in London. www.flickr.com The best bag: Bongo Canvas Shopper Bag This, combined with durable handles, makes it ideal for carrying around lots of giveaways that you’re likely to receive at any retail expo. The best bag: Travelight Holdall The Travel Show 2015 is the UK’s biggest free travel show and takes place in the Business Design Centre in London. It features everything you need to plan and book your next holiday as well as exclusive deals and travel seminars. All the big names in the travel industry are present and available to give advice. The show is aimed at the 18 – 39 market and features exclusive offers of up to 50% off trips to locations all over the globe. There is an exhibitor for everything meaning you can easily book a full travel itinerary regardless of your budget. The show is on the 1st of March 2015 and will even feature recruiters looking for bright minds to join some of the biggest travel companies around! The Travelight Holdall is the ideal light travel bag. Ideal for weekends away, or busy exhibitions, the bag has one main compartment and one pocket. Fitness Exhibitions BodyPower Expo The BodyPower Expo is the fastest growing consumer fitness exhibition in Europe that attracts tens of thousands of enthusiasts to the Birmingham NEC. The exhibition features hundreds of fitness experts from around the world and covers the full spectrum of fitness and sports related products and services. Not only does the BodyPower Expo feature the latest fitness techniques and products it also focuses on encouraging and supporting those who are currently getting or keeping fit. It does so with ideas such as the Transformation Challenge that offers prizes to individuals who have undergone big changes on their road to fitness. The BodyPower Expo runs from the 15th – 17th of May 2015 and features representatives from bodybuilding, fitness, combat, strongman and power sports. Image source: www.flickr.com The best bag: Sportual Sports Bag The Sportual Sports Bag is an ideal medium sized sports bag for anyone with an active lifestyle. With plenty of storage space and a bottle holder it’s an ideal gym companion and can also be used for storing other sports related promotional items picked up at exhibitions. Technology Exhibitions The Gadget Show LIVE Almost everyone has heard of the Gadget Show. Well, it seems the TV program’s success lends itself well to the exhibition format as the Gadget Show LIVE is one of the largest technology exhibitions in the UK. It features everything from the latest retail tech to the best of British innovation and allows individuals to see, try and buy the latest technology. The Gadget Show LIVE also features many events and such as the Super Theatre where an hour long show will give vistors the chance to see some cutting edge tech tested live. You can also visit the Game Zone to view and test some world exclusives in gaming and enter free to play gaming tournaments. The Gadget Show LIVE will be going on from the 7th – 12th of April 2015 at the NEC, Birmingham. Image source: www.flickr.com The best bag: Papa Canvas Laptop Bag The Papa Canvas Laptop Bag is a heavyweight, hard wearing, on-trend laptop bag. It’s perfect as a promotional item for any technology expo where visitors could be bringing their own laptops or purchasing one there. It’s clear then that promotional bags are an extremely versatile and effective addition to any promotional marketing campaign, especially those based around exhibitions. As specialist promotional bag suppliers we can provide you with the perfect solution to any and all of your needs. Contact us today for more information. What also became apparent to him was how vast the range of bags out there is, and how difficult it can be for businesses to find the right bags for their company or promotion amongst the thousands of products available from a range of distributors. Despite this issue in the marketplace, there were virtually no businesses online dedicated to offering a diverse range of promotional bags along with competitive prices, industry expertise and top-class customer service. That’s where Bags of Ideas came in – an online business specialising in promotional bags and nothing else. This business model has allowed us to create a place where consumers can find exactly the bags they need every time. And if our customers don’t know what would work best, our team of experts share their experience to make sure they come away with a product that will be highly effective to them. If that’s not enough, we used our connections to develop a service whereby we can manufacture truly unique bespoke bags for our customers. Just in case our huge range of bags wasn’t enough! MWL was the first chance we had to unveil the Bags of Ideas brand, which had been quietly in development over the months prior. In this prime location, we were finally able to show off what we had to offer and obtain real feedback from exhibition goers. The result? A resounding success! Not only did people like the concept, but they loved the brand, the helpful team and our enthusiasm for our customers and what