Choose a bag that fits the gift, feels right for your brand and remains useful afterwards.
A staff welcome pack often has to hold a notebook, a bottle and a few everyday essentials. A client gift might contain a boxed product or a carefully selected set of samples. In either case, the tote is part of the presentation and something the recipient can keep using.
The best starting point is the contents. Lay out a complete pack before choosing the bag. Then decide how much room it needs, how the recipient will carry it, and what the overall gift should cost. A heavier bag can feel more substantial, but size and construction still need to suit the job.
1. Build the pack before choosing the bag
For a staff welcome pack, prioritise items people will actually use. A notebook, a practical bottle and a short welcome card can form a useful starting point. Avoid adding objects simply to fill the bag.
For a client gift, begin with the main item. Measure the box or product, including its thickness. A flat bag may suit documents and slim gifts, while side and bottom gussets provide extra depth for bulkier contents.
Try a sample with the actual contents before committing to a larger order. Check that the contents fit comfortably below the opening, that the handles are easy to reach and that nothing sharp presses against the fabric. A photograph alone cannot confirm how a complete gift pack will fit.
2. Compare three practical formats
These options from our cotton range give you different shapes and carrying styles:
| Model | Size | Fabric | From €/bag at 1,000 bags, 1-colour print |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural gusseted cotton tote | 38 × 42 + 10 + 10 cm | 220 g/m² | €2.35 |
| Natural heavy cotton tote | 38 × 42 + 10 + 10 cm | 340 g/m² | €2.80 |
| Natural double-handle cotton tote | 42 × 38 + 10 + 10 cm | 340 g/m² | €3.50 |
Published Ireland category prices checked on 14 September 2026. These are starting prices for the stated quantity and print option, not quotations for smaller gift runs. Confirm delivery, VAT and any additional printing requirements on the selected product page and in your quotation.
The double-handle model offers both short and long handles. That can be useful when a recipient wants to carry the bag by hand on arrival and over the shoulder later. The heavier gusseted model is a simpler choice when one handle style is enough.
Compare the exact models in our heavy cotton tote range. Fabric weight helps describe the bag’s substance; it is not a guaranteed load rating.
3. Give the design one clear job
Decide whether the bag should mainly identify your organisation, mark an event or carry a design the recipient will enjoy beyond the occasion. One clear idea usually makes the artwork easier to read.
A welcome message can go on an insert instead of taking up the bag’s whole print area. For client gifts, an approved one-colour version of your logo may be enough. If an illustration is central to the gift, allow for its print requirements in the budget.
Ask for a digital mockup on the chosen model. Check the size and placement of the artwork rather than approving only the logo file. The physical bag and the available print area are different things.
4. Budget for the whole gift
The tote price is one part of the gift cost. Include the contents, any protective packaging, printed cards and the time needed to assemble the packs. If you will send individual gifts onwards to recipients, budget for that separately from delivery of the bulk bag order.
For 1,000 bags with one-colour printing, the listed difference between the natural 220 g/m² gusseted tote and the natural 340 g/m² double-handle tote is €1.15 per bag, or €1,150 across the order. Decide whether that difference serves the gift before choosing the more expensive format.
For smaller quantities, use the exact product’s current calculator or request a comparison. Do not apply a 1,000-piece unit price to a 100-piece order.
5. Leave time to approve and assemble
Work backwards from the date the recipients need the packs. Allow time for artwork approval, bag production, delivery, checking the order and assembling the contents. Ask for the schedule for your chosen product and delivery address before promising a handover date.
Keep a few extra bags for late additions or future starters if your budget allows. Base that reserve on the event or team size, rather than ordering a larger batch solely for a lower unit price.
Frequently asked questions
Can we use the same bag for staff and clients?
Yes, if the format and design suit both groups. Different cards or contents can tailor each pack without requiring two separate bag designs.
Do gift bags need full-colour artwork?
No. Choose the print option that serves the design. A clear one-colour mark can be appropriate; a more detailed design needs its own artwork assessment.
How do we choose between flat and gusseted bags?
Test the intended contents. Use the dimensions to narrow the choice, then confirm fit and carrying comfort with the selected model.
Plan your gift pack
Tell us what is going into the pack, how many you need and your deadline. We can help compare suitable bag options.