There are a number of print techniques available for printing on a reusable bag and it will influence the material you decide to use and even the style that is suitable.

Silk screen printing:

This suitable for non woven,  cotton,  jute and RPET ecobags.  It is the perfect choice when the art work is simple and bold. Block colours work best – shades and tones will not print well and will drive up the price of the bag as each tone might count as a different print colour. See the silk screen printing process in action

Example of bag using heat transfer technique

Heat transfer:

For a photo quality finish a heat transfer might be the ticket. Essentially a tattoo or a decal is created and with the use of heat bonded onto the bag. This method can be used for non-woven bags, cotton bags, jute or rPET bags. The limitation is that there are a set amount of sizes available. It is more expensive than screen printing but the advantage is you can get a brilliant photo quality.

Full Colour Process:

Example of bag using full colour process printing

This is best for graphic or digitally created artwork and pictures where many colours are used.  It is also referred to CMYK print technique. It will give a contemporary and quality finish. The additional finish of a matte or gloss laminate can be applied to enhance the look of the bag and is worth considering as well if your budget will stretch. This is perfect for woven and non-woven laminated bags, just like the bags sold by the large supermarkets.

Full colour process is possible on non-woven, woven and rPET bags.

The process you choose, will depend on the type of bags that suit your promotional campaign.  For more information on choosing the right printing technique for your reusable bags, contact Matt at Smartbags or visit www.smartbags.co.uk

Smart Bags is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Ethical Party Bags have recently launched a new range of Fair Trade craft kits for children under their Truly Ethical brand.

Branded as ‘craft kits that make a difference’, the kits consist of: finger puppets, magnets, hanging room decorations, pictures and a bracelet and bag charm.  On each kit there is information on the source of all the materials and ‘what makes this kit ethical’.  For example recycled, Fair Trade beads from Uganda, handmade, Fair Trade tissue paper from Nepal.  Therefore, by purchasing the craft kit, customers can clearly see that they are helping people less fortunate.
 
“We want to help children to understand what Fair Trade and being green’s all about,” says Anna Smith, owner of Truly Ethical.  “Children love to ‘make and do’ and our kits will provide hours of entertainment, whilst teaching them about the world they live in”.
 
“We decided to launch Truly Ethical as a separate arm of our business www.ethicalpartybags.com.  Our customers were asking us for ideas for other ethical gifts and environmentally friendly things to keep the children happy.  We’ve spent a lot of time researching the market, and believe we’re offering something that’s really unique.  Most of the other craft kits on the market aren’t ethical and we found they didn’t offer value for money.  Our links with ethical suppliers all over the world means we can sell our kits at great prices whilst still helping disadvantaged people.”
 
As a company Truly Ethical wants to encourage children (and their parents!) to interact and find out more about ethical living.  There’s a special gallery on their website featuring photographs of completed products, which have been sent in by customers.  As the range develops the website will become more interactive, with more products, newsletters and a blog, where everyone can find out more about the importance of Fair Trade and green living.

Ethical Party Bags is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Tactile
Interiors has launched a new range of products for their eco friendly website
and at least 70% of that product range is from British Designer/Makers. 
The new products range from recycled glass vases to locally grown flowers.

All the products at
Tactile Interiors are natural, recycled or recyclable, sustainable or ethical
and at least 70% are sourced from the UK.

So why does the company
choose to buy British? Tactile Interiors believes that by buying and selling
locally and choosing British designers, it is able to reduce transport miles
and bring you stylish home accessories from local craftspeople.

Gordon’s
Gin Recycled Glass Vase,

made
in Devon.

You can now order fresh British flowers
from Tactile Interiors.  The bouquets are made weekly with the latest
flowers available.  Buying these flowers is a great way to support
British growers and is a more environmentally friendly choice than buying
flowers grown overseas.

The
very best of British Cut flowers