Printed Tote Bags

Printed tote bags remain one of the most effective brand-building tools available to UK companies. Whether you run a retail chain, an independent shop, a charity or organise events, a well-made, well-branded tote stands on its own as both a useful product and a mobile billboard. With increasing consumer interest in sustainable packaging and the UK’s carrier bag charge shifting buyer behaviour, investing in printed tote bags is a strategic way to demonstrate environmental credentials while driving repeat visits and meaningful brand exposure.

Up To 1000 Bags In
15 Working Days

Minimum Order
Amount: 100

Any Size Made
To Order

Specification

Material/Thickness

100% Natural Cotton
5oz

Colours
50 colours of cotton to choose from – click here to see them! (This PDF is unbranded, so you can send it on to your customers if needed)
Natural
Black
White or coloured (stock colours)

Print Specification
Spot Colours
Full Colour Transfer

Additional Extras
Embossing
Debossing

Handle Options
Cotton Rope
Cotton Ribbon
Punched Handle

Sizes

Custom Size

Any size made to order

Stock Size

38cm x 42cm

Paper Tote Bags Gallery

What Our Customers Think

★★★★★

We recently had our sponsored tote bags printed for an event, and the service was excellent. The team was super helpful and quick to respond, and the bags arrived exactly as we wanted with no issues at all. Really smooth process from start to finish, we’ll definitely use them again!

★★★★★

Great product and really good service, communicated well and checked graphics. Will certainly be returning when we need more!

★★★★★

Fantastic company! Excellent service. Very professional and polite team to deal with. Shout out to Sharon on the Admin support team for her lightning quick email replies! 😊

What Is Tote Bag Printing?

Tote bag printing covers a range of techniques used to transfer artwork onto cotton, canvas, non-woven or recycled fabrics. Common methods include screen printing for bold spot colours, digital (DTG/DTF) printing for photographic detail, and heat transfer for smaller runs or specialised placements. Each method has trade-offs in cost, longevity and colour fidelity; choosing the right method depends on your design, budget and intended use. For procurement teams this means balancing unit economics with perceived retail value to select the right bag and print process.

Why UK Businesses Choose Printed Tote Bags

UK retailers and organisations choose branded tote bags because they combine functionality, sustainability and marketing performance. Branded bags regularly outperform many other promotional items on cost-per-impression metrics and are kept by recipients for months or even years. The Advertising Specialty Institute’s Ad Impressions study shows that bags deliver high lifetime impressions and strong consumer retention, making custom tote bags a highly efficient marketing medium.

What Makes an Effective Printed Tote Bag?

An effective printed tote bag uses the right material, a clear scalable design, and an appropriate print method. Material choice—from lightweight cotton for event giveaways to heavy-duty canvas for retail resale—affects perceived value and durability. Print location, logo size and contrast should be optimised so your branding reads at a distance; concise messaging or distinctive artwork often outperforms text-heavy layouts. Additionally, choosing eco-certified inks and responsibly-sourced fabrics helps reduce environmental impact and provides traceable claims for procurement teams.

Printing Methods Explained

Screen printing remains the most economical choice for large runs where spot colours are required, producing bold, durable prints that wear well. Digital printing excels for full-colour artwork and photographic reproduction, allowing fine detail and gradients without the setup of multiple screens. Heat transfer and vinyl methods are well-suited to short runs, proofs and limited-edition designs, although these finishes can feel slightly stiffer than direct-printed ink. We help you select the best process because when printing tote bags you want to balance colour fidelity with durability and cost. Our production managers can advise whether screen printing, digital or heat transfer is best for your order.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

Reusable bags like cotton or recycled totes can offer substantial environmental advantages over single-use plastics, but they must be reused many times to offset their manufacturing footprint. UK evidence shows that charging for single-use carrier bags dramatically reduced their use and shifted customers towards reusables; the latest government summaries and datasets document a continued decline in single-use carrier bag sales since the charge was introduced. For procurement teams, selecting organic or recycled materials and avoiding unverified sustainability claims will make your printed tote bags more credible with environmentally conscious buyers.

Ordering with The Printed Bag Shop

Ordering custom printed tote bags through The Printed Bag Shop is straightforward and tailored for UK businesses. Start by selecting the bag material and size, then supply artwork or request design help. We will provide a digital proof for approval, proceed to production once you sign off, and deliver across the UK.

When printing tote bags for seasonal campaigns or wholesale resale, we manage timelines and quality checks from artwork approval to palletised delivery. For a cohesive packaging strategy we also supply complementary options such as laminated paper bags, twisted handle paper bags and printed paper counter bags to match your brand needs.

Ready to start with tote bag printing? Contact our UK team for a fast quote, sample request or design consultation. We specialise in printing tote bags across the UK for procurement teams, retailers and event organisers. Whether you need a small run of eco-friendly cotton bags or a national order of premium canvas totes, we’ll guide you through material choices, print methods and cost-effective options.

Helpful Information

Printed bags and custom packaging is the perfect way to improve your brand visibility, without breaking the bank.

Latest News
21/02/2024

How to Design Your Branded Bag

What We Consider When Crafting Your Unique Plastic Bag Design When it comes to plastic, material, or paper bag branding...

Latest News
20/03/2023

Printed Bags Around The World: Cultural Styles and Influences

Bags are an essential accessory that serves a functional purpose, but they also represent cultural preferences, status symbols, and fashion...

Latest News
03/02/2023

Tote Bag Design Trends

Tote bags have become an essential accessory in today’s world, providing a stylish and practical way to carry everyday items....

Supplying Top Brands

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay updated with the latest news, insights, and exclusive offers—subscribe to our newsletter and never miss out.

Paper Tote Bags FAQs

What is the minimum order for tote bag printing?

The minimum order for tote bag printing depends on the style of bag and the printing method chosen. At The Printed Bag Shop, we aim to keep order sizes flexible so that both small businesses and large organisations can benefit from custom printed tote bags. For example, cotton tote bags with simple screen-printed logos can be produced in relatively low quantities, making them ideal for local shops or charities. Larger runs are usually more cost-effective, especially when printing tote bags in bulk for events, retail chains, or promotional campaigns. Contact us for tailored guidance.

How long does tote bag printing take?

Production times for high quality tote bags vary depending on bag type, printing method, and order size. Standard turnaround for tote bag printing in the UK is usually between 7–21 working days from artwork approval. Smaller runs using digital printing can often be produced faster, while larger screen-printed campaigns may require additional lead time. For businesses working to tight schedules — such as trade shows or seasonal promotions — we also offer express production and delivery options. Our team will confirm timelines when quoting, ensuring your custom printed tote bags arrive on schedule without compromising quality.

Can you print full-colour designs on tote bags?

Yes — we can print full-colour designs on tote bags using advanced digital and heat transfer printing techniques. These methods allow for gradients, photographic images, and detailed artwork, ensuring your branding looks sharp and vibrant. Screen printing is another option, particularly when printing tote bags in spot colours or Pantone-matched inks for brand consistency. Full-colour designs are especially effective for promotional giveaways, retail merchandise, or campaign launches where your artwork needs to stand out. Whether you want a bold single-colour company logo or a detailed full-colour design, our team can help you choose the right method.

Which materials are best for sustainability?

When sustainability is a priority, we recommend organic cotton, recycled fabrics, or non-woven eco-friendly materials for tote bag printing. Organic cotton bags carry recognised certifications such as GOTS, ensuring they are responsibly sourced and manufactured. Recycled PET or fabric blends also offer a second life to existing materials, reducing waste. However, the key to sustainability lies in reuse. Studies show cotton totes must be reused many times to offset their production footprint, so encouraging customers to reuse their bags is essential. Choosing durable printed tote bags ensures long-lasting exposure for your brand and real environmental benefits.

Do you offer proofs before printing tote bags?

Yes — at The Printed Bag Shop, we always provide digital proofs before production begins. A proof shows exactly how your artwork will appear on the tote bag, including placement, scale, and colour. This step ensures that you are completely happy with the design before printing tote bags in bulk. For larger orders, or when extra reassurance is needed, we can also arrange physical samples so you can review the material quality and print finish firsthand. This process reduces risk, avoids costly errors, and ensures your custom printed tote bags perfectly match your brand vision.

Get In Touch Today

Quick Enquiry

Printed Tote Bags

Product enquiry