Promotional bag materials compared
Which material suits your brand, your application and your budget? Here you’ll find every bag material compared side by side – honestly assessed by the manufacturer.
In brief
Which material is best for promotional bags?
The best material depends on the application: laminated RPET or PP woven suits robust shopping bags with photorealistic print, non-woven suits low-cost trade-show giveaways, cotton, jute or felt suit premium corporate gifts, paper suits the point of sale and polyester suits foldable pocket shoppers. If you carry groceries and chilled goods, choose the CityShopper with its integrated freezer compartment.
All materials at a glance
Editorial rating from 1 (low) to 5 (very high) – as a guide. For the details, we’re happy to advise you personally.
| Material | Durability | Photorealistic print | Sustainability | Natural look | Water-repellent | Budget per unit | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Grocery retail, reusable shopping | ||||||
 | Large runs, heavy shopping | ||||||
 | Trade shows, promotions, giveaways | ||||||
 | Corporate gifts, fashion, events | ||||||
 | Organic retail, delicatessens, gifts | ||||||
 | Premium gifts, conferences | ||||||
 | Retail, boutiques, events | ||||||
 | Foldable giveaways, campaigns |
Tip: for groceries and chilled goods, there’s the CityShopper with freezer compartment – in R-PET or R-PP.
The most common material questions
Short, honest answers to the questions procurement and marketing teams ask us most often.
PP woven or non-woven – what’s the difference?
PP woven is woven, usually laminated polypropylene: highly tear-resistant, water-repellent and ideal for photorealistic gravure printing – the choice for long-lasting shopping bags. Non-woven is a lighter PP fleece, considerably cheaper and perfect for large promotional and trade show runs, but less hard-wearing.
RPET or PP woven – which material is more sustainable?
Both are processed as a laminated woven fabric and look similar. RPET, however, is made from recycled PET bottles and can be GRS-certified on request – making it the more sustainable choice when a credible recycling statement matters. PP woven scores on price for large runs.
Cotton or jute – which suits my brand better?
Cotton is soft, washable and can be printed in many ways – ideal for corporate gifts, fashion and events. Jute looks more rustic and especially natural, holds its shape very well and is a perfect match for organic, delicatessen and nature brands. For fine, multicolour designs, cotton is the better print surface.
Paper or fabric bag – which makes the better promotional bag?
Paper carrier bags are the classic point-of-sale packaging: elegant, recyclable and suitable for finishing with hot foil or embossing. Fabric bags made from cotton or jute, on the other hand, are reused for years and therefore generate significantly more brand impressions per bag.
Which promotional bag is the cheapest?
Non-woven bags are the most cost-effective advertising medium for large quantities. PP woven and foldable polyester shoppers also offer very good value for money in high volumes. The actual unit price depends on material, size, printing method and quantity.
Prefer a recommendation straight away?
Which bag suits your brand?
Three questions, one well-founded recommendation – in 20 seconds.
- 1What will the bag be used for?
- 2What matters most to you?
- 3What quantity are you planning?
Question 1 of 3
What will the bag be used for?
Would you like to compare samples?
On request, we’ll send you material samples and advise you personally on printing, quantity and budget.