Promotional Bags Blog

Here’s a pretty funny one: a picture of one of the first plastic bags ever used, circa 1970. Apparently, this super hi-tech gadgetry was so innovative at the time that it required detailed instructions to show consumers how to use it to carry their goods. Where’s the disclaimer about the trillions of pounds of plastic waste that buildup in landfills as a result of their new invention? Seems like someone didn’t think things through.

Plastic bags may have been the “sack of the future,” but these days, it’s all about reusable tote bags. These totes don’t require plastic to make them, and in many cases they’re made from organic or recycled materials. But the real eco-friendly benefit comes from the fact that you can use them over and over, eliminating the need for new bags. This helps to get away from the “use-and-dispose” mindset which is creating a lot of problems for our planet.

This promotional specimen comes directly from the APE 2008 conference in San Francisco. The Alternative Press Expo is one of the largest gatherings of indie comics publishers in the nation, attracting thousands of attendees each year. I was pleasantly surprised to see one of my favorite publishers represented at APE this year: Drawn and Quarterly. D&Q represents tons of great artists and has put out some quality material over the last decade. Anyway, check out this sweet tote bag they had to give out to booth visitors at the expo. Lookin’ sharp as usual, D&Q.

Giving away promotional products is a great way to attract promising leads for your business. By offering incentives, you give yourself a chance to talk to people and learn more about their needs. Much like unique promotional merchandise is used to get people to visit trade show booths, you can use branded products to attract people to stores and events. Here’s an example used by Triple A. To get people to stop by and get a free quote, they’re offering a free promotional duffel bag. I’m sure lots of people were interested in the giveaway, and AAA likely expanded their list of sales leads thanks to the campaign.

The latest trend in promotional bags is definitely one you’re going to want to take advantage of. Non-woven reusable tote bags are made from 100% polypropylene - a sturdy material that makes them both tear-resistant and water-repellent. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative to plastic shopping bags, non-woven totes are a great choice. Not only can these bags be reused over and over, but they can be fully recycled when their long lives come to an end.

Non-woven tote bags offer a lot of room for customization and creativity, making them perfect for company branding purposes and other promotional campaigns. The bags are available in virtually every color in the rainbow, and then some! This makes it easy to find bags that match your brand’s color scheme to create professional marketing giveaways. With all of these benefits, you’d expect to pay a lot - but that’s not the case! Promotional non-woven tote bags are extremely affordable, and can be purchased for as low as $1.45 each! If you need a bag for trade shows, direct mail, or client gifts, you simply cannot go wrong with non-wovens.

Are you getting ready to throw out some old t-shirts you don’t wear anymore? Not so fast! Why not recycle your shirts and give them new lives as fashionable tote bags? Not only do you get a fun and functional fashion accessory, but you save money and make your old stuff live a little bit longer. There are plenty of tutorials online that can teach you how to do this. Feel free to share pictures of your creations when you’re finished!

(Simpsons Bag via Flickr)