A custom bag is about the best promotional item there is. Everyone uses bags for a variety of uses. What better way to get your company's name out there than on custom printed bags? Use them for promotional materials at a conference or have custom plastic bags made for your retail store.

The investment can be small for a huge return when it comes to promotional bags. Consider these tactics when making the most of custom bags:

1. Have customized bags made for your next professional conference.

2. Look into having logo bags made for your retail business.

3. Provide your employees with business bags so they take the company name with them everywhere they go.

Action Steps for Choosing the Right Promotional Bags
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Have personalized bags made for attendees of your next professional conference

Conference-goers look forward to what the 'thank you' gifts will be for attending the conference. Custom made bags not only last, but they often look more expensive then they really are. Depending on the number of attendees you are expecting, you can choose from a variety of materials to have your bags made from.

I recommend: It pays to buy in bulk at businesses like 4 All Promos. For many of the items, the minimum order starts at 100 pieces and starts at a minimal price. Chances are your budget will allow you to purchase one for each conference goer and leave room to give them something inside the bag as well. For a more intimate meeting or conference, check out Zazzle, where you can create a custom bag with a name or picture. Large orders can be placed at this company as well.

Design a logo bag for your retail business

If 'paper or plastic?' is a commonly asked question at your place of business, you may want to consider a logo bag for your customers to take their goods home in. No matter what you sell, chances are good you are in need of bags. In the day and age of reusable products, your customers will likely save the bag and reuse it at a later date, creating even more exposure for your company logo.

I recommend: The Affinity Bag Company prints on either paper or plastic. Freedom Plastic Bags specializing in, well, plastic.

Invest in custom bags for your employees

Although the initial investment may dig deep into your pocket, consider the pros of having your employees carry your company logo with them wherever they go. Even if each of them is questioned about the logo one time, chances are the investment will have been worth it.

I recommend: Logo Sportswear can embroider your logo on several types of bags, including backpacks and laptop bags. Show Your Logo carries many different types of bags that your employees could carry and offers discounts on large orders.

Tips & Tactics For Making the Best Use of Promotional Bags

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Often the question you can ask yourself before investing in custom bags is 'what type of return am I expecting?' If you are merely looking to get your company's name out there for recognition purposes, you can start with less expensive paper or plastic bags. However, if you are specifically hoping that customized bags will drive direct business in your company's direction, invest in something a little nicer, possibly made of canvas or leather.

Anyone who attends trade shows or seminars probably has a collection of promotional bags in a closet. These imprinted bags are put to work when it’s time to transport holiday gifts to the car, pack a lunch for a family softball game, or carry extra paperwork into the office. That’s why promotional bags that are embossed, imprinted or embroidered with your company’s logo or name are a smart marketing vehicle. When you give valued customers a briefcase with your logo discreetly imprinted on the flap, you have given them a practical gift that will remind them of your company for years to come. To optimize the appeal of your custom bags:

1. Pick bags that people are likely to re-use. That means no odd shapes or sizes.
2. Tuck a free product sample or other small gift into your personalized bags.
3. If most of your recipients are visiting from out of town, don’t saddle them with a bulky backpack. Opt for personalized bags that can easily fit into a suitcase.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Turn backpacks into custom bags

Backpacks aren’t just for students and hikers anymore. You can’t walk down a city street without seeing a veritable backpack fashion show courtesy of your fellow pedestrians.

I recommend: For a mega selection of promotional backpacks that can be customized with your logo, turn to 4All Promos and PromoPeddler.com. Among the promotional backpacks offered by Graphic Ice are several that can double as business bags, making them a perfect fit for business travelers and commuters. You’ll find even more promotional backpack vendors at Business.com. When you’re ready to order your imprinted bags, be sure you understand the industry lingo. Logo Softwear defines the terms you need to know.

Versatile duffle and tote bags

Gym-goers, travelers and anyone else who needs a lightweight bag will appreciate these multi-purpose custom bags.

I recommend: Style-conscious customers will like the two-color imprinted bags with a slim front pocket from 4imprint.com. When you purchase barrel duffle bags from NeedPromos.com, you get one color imprint at no extra charge. Check out Business.com for more promotional duffle and tote bag suppliers.

Imprinted bags for trade show exhibitors and retailers

If you’re looking for an easy way to advertise your brand at trade shows, hand out plastic or paper promotional bags. Retailers can also get mileage from imprinted bags because customers are more likely to keep and reuse a bag that is attractive and durable.

I recommend: At Plus Packaging you can order plastic customized bags in various sizes with a variety of handle choices, ready for your logo. Your Bag Lady carries fashionable paper and plastic promotional shopping bags, including insulated custom bags for hot and cold food and beverages. Affinity Bag Co. specializes in high-quality personalized bags for trade shows and shopping.

When you need special-purpose promotional bags

Some promotions call for customized bags that are designed for specific applications.

I recommend: If you want to reach customers in the technology market, consider the computer bags at Saver Promos. If you’re marketing beauty-related products to women, a custom case or personalized bag might be in order. Consider the cosmetic bag with a patent leather-like finish available at 4Imprint, one of the many custom tote-bag vendors listed on Business.com that sells custom bags. Beachgoers and others who eat on the go will appreciate a personalized bag that is insulated. You’ll find them at Absorbent, Ink. For businesspeople and new college graduates, business bags such as a briefcase or portfolio might be in order. Corporate Casuals and Promotional Bags carry impressive selections. Also consider the attaché-backpack-briefcase combo from Motivators Promotional Products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Your promotional bags should be durable enough to last a long time. Ask the vendors about the longevity of the personalized bags you’re considering, and request samples.
• •  Your supply of imprinted bags can dwindle quickly at a busy trade show. To make sure you have enough personalized bags to give to customers and qualified leads, don’t leave your promotional bags out in a spot where anyone who passes your booth can grab one.
• •  Bigger isn’t necessarily better when it comes to the size of your logo on imprinted bags. A king-sized logo can be unrecognizable and therefore defeat the purpose of a customized bag.

The joy of custom bags is that they can truly be whatever you want them to be. Customized bags can represent a company, a cause, a person, a brand and more. However you want to represent your business, a custom made bag can be just the ticket. And what is even better is that there are no rules as to what you can use as supplies for custom made bags.

Take these supplies for custom bags into consideration:

1. Fabric paints and stamps -- use ink and paint for personalized bags.

2. Iron-on transfers -- print a picture or logo to adhere to your custom bag.

3. Screen printing -- you can do it from home.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use ink and paint as supplies for custom bags

Using fabric stamps and paint, you are sure to create a promotional bag that nobody else will have. Custom bags can be as unique as you are, so use your imagination and create a bag that will grab the attention of passers-by.

I recommend: Zimprints offers stamps in the shape of everything from animals to days of the week. Simply Spray offers a creative fabric spray paint that can be used in conjunction with stencils to create a logo or design of your choice.

Iron a picture or logo onto your customized bag

All it takes is the right type of paper to print out any picture or logo in living color to iron on to your custom bags. It's as simple as designing the layout on your PC, printing it out on the printer like you would any other project, and ironing it onto your personalized bag. Be sure to read the paper instructions to make sure you are purchasing the right kind for the type of fabric you plan to use.

I recommend: You can find different types and sizes of heat transfer paper at Pro World. Lee Hansen Graphics has several designs ready to print and use to customize your bag.

Try screen printing on your custom bag

Screen printing is something that is often thought of as a printing method that has to be done at an actual printing shop. However, with the right supplies, you can do custom screen printing of a logo bag from the privacy of your own home or office. Screen printing can create very unique business bags for your company.

I recommend: ThriftyFun.com offers detailed instructions on how to do screen printing on your own. Most of the supplies that they suggest are quite possibly even ones you have lying around anyway. For the type of ink suggested for screen printing, check out Dharma Trading Co.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you plan on needing a bulk order of customized bags, it might be beneficial to hire someone to produce them for you. There are business that specialize in printing promotional bags in large quantities.