How To Specify A Cotton Tote So Every Quote Is Comparable
Six lines that turn a vague bag enquiry into a specification suppliers cannot quietly reinterpret.
Why Quotes Come Back So Different
When an enquiry says only cotton shopping bag with our logo, every supplier fills the gaps with the cheapest assumption that still fits the words. The prices that come back are not really comparable, and the difference only becomes visible when the goods land.
The Six Lines That Matter
Fabric weight, finished size, handle type and length, base and gusset construction, print method and print area, and packing. Fix those six and two quotes become genuinely comparable. Leave any one open and it will be filled in for you, usually downwards.
Handle Length Is Not A Detail
The same bag with short handles is a hand-carry bag and with long handles is a shoulder bag. Shoppers who intend to carry groceries will abandon a bag they cannot get over a coat. State the handle length in centimetres and, if it matters, state whether it must clear a shoulder.
See the product: Cotton Tote With Leather-Look Handles And Front Pocket
Base And Gusset
A flat bag packs smaller and prints larger. A boxed base and side gusset holds shape and carries a squarer load. Neither is better in the abstract; it depends on whether the bag is carrying a sweatshirt or a week of shopping.
Say What The Bag Is For
The single most useful sentence in an enquiry is what the bag will actually be used for. A supplier who knows it is a checkout bag for weekly grocery use will quote a different construction than for a conference giveaway, and will tell you when your specification does not match your purpose.
Items Mentioned Above
Cotton Tote With Leather-Look Handles And Front Pocket
Pale blue cotton body, tan strap handles, front patch pocket and woven label
View Product
24 oz Canvas Boat Tote Size Set
Three sizes of the heavyweight boat tote sharing one design
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Natural Cotton Tote With Small Front Graphic
Plain natural body with a compact single-colour graphic and long handles
View ProductQuestions From This Guide
What fabric weight should I ask for?
Lighter cotton suits giveaway quantities and large flat prints. Heavier cotton and canvas suit bags that must hold shape and carry weight. Rather than guessing a number, say what the bag must carry and ask for the weight to be quoted and stated on the specification.
Should I send a sample of a bag I like?
Yes, whenever you have one. A physical sample removes more ambiguity than any written specification, because it settles fabric hand, handle length and construction in one go.
Apply This To Your Own Programme
Send your artwork, the quantity and the date the goods must arrive, and the choices in this guide will be made against your actual job.