Craftarea

Putting a Logo on a Bag

Short answer

A logo goes onto a bag by one of four techniques: printing, screen printing, DTF transfer or embroidery. The material decides which — paper and cardboard bags take printing and screen printing, cotton bags also take DTF and embroidery. We need the logo as a vector file.

A branded bag is the only advertising carrier the customer carries around the city themselves — which is why its effectiveness is not measured in a single impression. A cotton tote used a hundred times a year shows the brand a hundred times. This page covers which bag suits which purpose, what branding techniques exist for each material, and the technical constraints to plan for when preparing a logo.

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Key facts

Materials
Paper, kraft, cardboard, cotton
Branding
Printing, screen printing, embroidery
Paper bags
Retail, gifting, events
Cotton totes
Reusable, eco positioning
Cardboard bags
Rigid, premium packaging
Logo file
Vector — AI, EPS, SVG, PDF
Number of colours
Varies by technique
Quote
Timing by agreement

Which bag for which purpose

The choice depends on how many times the customer will use the bag. A paper bag is single-use or used a few times — ideal for retail, bakeries and gift packaging, and the most economical. A cardboard bag is more rigid, carries heavier contents and reads as premium — clothing boutiques, cosmetics, gift sets. A cotton tote is reusable: it works as an advertising carrier for years and reinforces eco positioning, which is exactly why it is the most requested option for events and corporate gifting.

  • Paper — single-use, retail and events
  • Cardboard — rigid, premium packaging
  • Kraft — eco look, natural texture
  • Cotton — reusable, long-term advertising

Branding techniques

Each material has its matching technique. On paper and cardboard bags the logo is applied by printing or screen printing: printing gives a multi-colour, detailed image, while screen printing gives dense, saturated one- or two-colour results. Cotton totes offer three routes — screen printing (economical at volume), DTF transfer (photographic accuracy, viable at small runs) and embroidery (the most durable and premium, but limited on fine detail). The choice depends on run length, logo complexity and the impression you want.

  • Printing — multi-colour, detailed
  • Screen printing — dense colour, large runs
  • DTF transfer — photographic, works at small runs
  • Embroidery — durable, premium, limited on detail

Preparing a logo for a bag

A logo prints far larger on a bag than on a business card, which makes a vector file not merely preferable but practically mandatory. A small PNG pulled off the web breaks into pixels when scaled up. The second important factor is the number of colours: in screen printing and embroidery each additional colour is a separate pass that raises cost, while in digital printing and DTF the colour count has practically no effect on price. If the logo is multi-coloured and the run is small, digital methods are more economical.

Material, technique and use

Material, technique and use
BagBrandingDurabilityTypical use
PaperPrinting / screen printSingle to a few usesRetail, bakeries
KraftScreen print / printingA few usesEco brands, cafes
CardboardPrinting / screen printReusableBoutiques, gifting
Cotton toteScreen print / DTF / embroideryYearsEvents, corporate
BackpackEmbroidery / DTFYearsCorporate gifts

How It Works

  1. 1

    Choose material and bag

    We establish how often the bag will be used and what it must carry — that dictates material and size.

  2. 2

    Select the branding technique

    Based on logo complexity and run length we choose printing, screen printing, DTF or embroidery.

  3. 3

    Prepare the logo

    A vector file is prepared at final size; embroidery additionally needs its own digitised program.

  4. 4

    Approve a sample

    For large runs we produce a control sample to confirm colour and placement.

  5. 5

    Produce the run

    Once approved, the full run is produced and packed for handover.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which bag is better for an event?
A cotton tote, if you want the brand to keep working after the event — attendees use them for years. If the bag is purely for handing out materials and the budget is tight, a paper bag is more rational.
Does the logo have to be single-colour?
It depends on the technique. In digital printing and DTF the colour count has practically no effect on price. In screen printing and embroidery each colour is a separate pass, so a one- or two-colour logo is more economical there.
How durable is print on a cotton tote?
It depends on the technique. Embroidery is the most durable — effectively matching the life of the bag. Screen printing and DTF hold up well provided washing follows the instructions: inside out, at a moderate temperature.
Can I choose the bag size?
Available sizes depend on the material and supplier. We provide the specific size list at order — what matters is knowing in advance what the bag needs to carry.
What is the minimum run?
It depends on material and branding technique — digital methods (DTF) allow small runs, while screen printing becomes economical at larger volumes. We confirm the exact minimum when you describe the order.
Can both sides be branded?
Yes, double-sided branding is possible, though it means a separate pass and raises cost. It is often more rational to put a large logo on one side and a small mark or website address on the other.
Why is there no price?
Price depends on material, size, run, branding technique and colour count. Timing is agreed after the project review. Send the bag dimensions, material, handles, branding and quantity, required date and collection or delivery location.

Related Services

Paper bags with logoCotton eco totesCardboard bagsPrinting on bagsBag branding in Tbilisi

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Send your artwork, quantity and preferred deadline — we will confirm pricing and production details after reviewing the project.

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