Anyone here use bags?

comalua · 03-30-2008, 04:23 PM

If you're doing an expo or conference or other thing like that, do you use bags?

I've got samples and brochures, as well of course as business cards, to distribute to prospective clients. I need a way to put them together. I'd like to put them in a gift bag type of thing, but most of the wholesalers charge an arm and a leg. I've also checked with Oriental Trading Company, but they don't specify what size the bags are on their site. I need them to be big enough to hold a standard 8 1/2 x 11" pice of paper without folding or bending it.

Ideas for resources?

DoulaKaren · 03-30-2008, 04:29 PM

I use smaller gift bags but they're pretty reasonable. I get them in the craft section of Walmart, and it's like $1.50 for 10 or something like that -- now, I use maybe 3-4 a month so that is not a bad price for my needs. How many are you needing?

comalua · 03-30-2008, 04:47 PM

Huh. Wal mart. Now why didn't I think of that?

Probably about 10/month, maybe more in some months, probably fewer in others.

Your bags are probably right about on target... er, not Target. Wal Mart.

doula Michele · 03-30-2008, 05:01 PM

Hmm, I will check out Walmart. I am doing a Welcome Wagon Baby Shower, and need to hand out about 150 'gifts'. And having them in a gift bag would be nicer than nothing.

tianakaesha · 03-30-2008, 05:24 PM

If you are handing out 150 Michelle, you'd probably get a better price going wholesale with a bag company.

Ebay often has bags in bulk (at least, in AU it does!)
Packaging companies
Promo Companies

Calico bags can work well and sometimes you can find them really cheaply. If you can find a minimum bulk order place that does a min of 100 or even 200 pieces, you'll possibly save a bit - and could get branding on the bags too.

Good Luck

b'earth angel · 03-30-2008, 05:33 PM

I've used the bags at wally too, the ones that are white w/a handle. I stuffed a piece of pastel tissue inside and then my goodies. They look very nice and are easy to carry. A large piece of paper will fit in them if you scroll or bend it, you don't have to fold it. I even printed up some large stickers for the front that said "compliments of B'earth Angel Doula Service".
HTH

AussieDoula · 03-30-2008, 05:38 PM

I love plain paper bags.

You can get them in a variety of colours, then pretty them up with stickers, stamps, printed labels (with your logo etc on them), and other embellishments.

Walmart sells several types of paper bags; my local Walmart has the lunch sack variety (50 brown paper bags in a pack by the cling wrap section for about $1 or brightly coloured party sacks in the gift wrap section for 10 cents a piece) and also a gift bag variety (10 pack of brightly coloured gift bags with handles for about $4 in the craft section - this is the type I use for clients). The gift bags in the 10 pack measure 8" x 4.75" x 10.375" (may be slightly smaller than you originally wanted). Anyway, Walmart is a good place to start. If you don't like shopping at Walmart, try Walgreens or just make your own (instructions will be included in a future edition of the AllDoulas Club Newsletter).

Let us know what you come up with - we'd love to see photographs of your gift bags all assembled and ready for your mamas.