Custom canvas and cotton bag manufacturing
Printed totes, shopping bags, drawstring bags and pouches. The lowest barrier to entry of any bag line — MOQ 300 pieces, sampling in 7–10 working days, and fabric that can carry an OEKO-TEX certificate.
What we produce
- Shopping totes — flat or gusseted, short or long handles, the workhorse of retail and promotional programmes
- Everyday carry totes — boxed base, internal pocket, zip closure, heavier canvas
- Drawstring bags — single or double drawcord, cotton or recycled polyester
- Cosmetic and toiletry pouches — zip or flap closure, laminated or uncoated lining
- Wine and bottle bags — single, double, or six-bottle carriers
- Jute shopping bags — laminated or unlaminated, with cotton or jute handles
- Canvas backpacks and aprons — where the same fabric and print setup can be reused
Fabric options
Canvas weight drives both the price and the perceived quality. The GSM figure is the one to quote in a spec sheet; the ounce figure is what most factories will offer you.
| Fabric | Weight | Approx. GSM | Typical use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton canvas | 8 oz | 270 | Light promo totes | Cheapest, prints well, soft handle |
| Cotton canvas | 10 oz | 340 | Retail totes | The most common specification |
| Cotton canvas | 12 oz | 407 | Premium retail, boxed totes | Holds structure, better colour depth |
| Cotton canvas | 16 oz | 542 | Heavy-duty and workwear | Noticeably premium, noticeably heavier to ship |
| Cotton (plain weave) | — | 120–180 | Drawstring bags, shoe bags | Light, low cost, folds flat |
| Jute | — | 280–340 | Shopping bags, gift packaging | Laminated version resists moisture; coffee aroma is a known issue on unlaminated jute |
| Recycled / RPET | — | 200–300 | Brands with a sustainability claim | Ask for the GRS chain-of-custody document before you print the claim on the bag |
How the logo gets onto the bag
The method determines both the unit cost and the minimum, because each one has its own setup.
| Method | One-off setup | Added unit cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen print | USD 30–60 per colour | USD 0.08–0.30 | Bold flat graphics, 1–3 colours, best value at volume |
| Heat transfer | USD 40–80 | USD 0.15–0.45 | Photographic or multi-colour artwork, gradients |
| Embroidery | USD 30–70 (digitising) | USD 0.25–1.20 | Premium apparel-style positioning, small logos |
| Woven label | USD 30–80 | USD 0.06–0.20 | Brand authenticity, hard to copy, sewn to the seam |
| Custom lining print | USD 120–300 | USD 0.30–0.90 | Anti-copying and unboxing value — a real differentiator |
| Leather-look patch | USD 80–150 | USD 0.25–0.70 | Premium positioning on canvas without changing the base fabric |
MOQ, price and lead time
| Product | MOQ | Indicative FOB | Sampling | Bulk lead time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple tote, 1-colour print | 300 | USD 1.80 – 2.80 | 7–10 d | 35–45 d |
| Boxed tote, 12 oz canvas | 300 | USD 3.20 – 4.50 | 10 d | 40–45 d |
| Cosmetic pouch | 300 | USD 1.20 – 2.60 | 7–10 d | 35–45 d |
| Drawstring bag | 300 | USD 0.95 – 1.90 | 7 d | 30–40 d |
| Laminated jute shopper | 300 | USD 2.20 – 3.80 | 10 d | 40–45 d |
Prices are FOB China, exclusive of branding setup, at a 300–500 piece order. Return orders drop to 300 pcs or below. Full private label terms are on the private label page.
Frequently asked
Which canvas weight should I choose?
For a promotional bag, 8 oz is enough and keeps the shipping cost down. For retail, 10–12 oz is the standard and reads as a genuinely reusable bag. Go to 16 oz only when the bag is expected to carry real weight — heavier canvas adds freight cost across the whole order.
Can I use a different colour print on one side?
Yes, but each colour is a separate screen and a separate setup. Two colours on one side is usually cheaper than one colour on each side, because the second side requires a second print run and a second alignment.
Do you supply GOTS-certified organic cotton?
We can source organic and recycled cotton with the supporting chain-of-custody documentation. Ask for it explicitly at quotation stage — and note that a sustainability claim printed on the bag is a claim you have to be able to substantiate in every market you sell into.
Is there a wash and care label requirement?
For textile products sold in the EU and UK, fibre composition labelling is a legal requirement and the label has to be durable. We can produce compliant care labels as part of the brand package — see the compliance guide.
Send a reference tote and a print file.
We will come back with fabric options, a screen count and a landed price.