Screen print, digital print or embroidery: which one for your bags?
Your logo decides more than you'd think. Number of colours, how fine the detail is, and how many bags you need: answer those three and the method mostly picks itself.
At our stall at IHGF Delhi Fair this October, the wall of printed totes did a lot of the talking. One-colour slogans, four-colour illustrations, little embroidered logos, all on the same few fabrics. It is a good picture of the choice every brand faces: which method is right for my logo?
Here's how we'd think about it.
In this guide: Screen print · Digital print · Embroidery · Woven label · A quick way to decide · What about laminated bags? · Questions buyers ask us
Screen print
Ink is pushed through a fine mesh screen onto the fabric. One screen for each colour. It's the classic method for bags, and for good reason.
- Best for: bold logos and text in one to four colours.
- Why people like it: solid, durable colour, and on large runs it's usually the lowest cost per bag.
- Watch out for: every extra colour is an extra screen and an extra pass, so a six-colour design costs more to set up than a one-colour one.
If you are printing on jute, screen print is the natural partner. The thick ink sits on jute's rough surface well, as long as the artwork is bold. Fine lines are better on cotton or juco.
Digital print
Full colour, straight from your file. No screens.
- Best for: photos, gradients, illustrations with many colours.
- Why people like it: what you see on screen is close to what you get, and the number of colours doesn't change the setup.
- Watch out for: it needs a smooth surface to look its best, so it suits cotton and juco more than rough jute. And it needs a high-resolution file.
Embroidery
The logo is stitched into the fabric with thread. There is no ink at all.
- Best for: small logos, monograms, premium retail and corporate gifts.
- Why people like it: it feels expensive. It doesn't fade or crack. On a canvas tote or a laptop bag it looks like a brand, not a promotion.
- Watch out for: very large designs and tiny text don't embroider well. Keep it small and simple.
Woven label
A small fabric label with your brand woven into it, sewn on the bag. Quiet, neat, and it works on plain bags where you don't want a big print at all. Fashion brands love it. It also pairs well with any of the methods above, for example a screen-printed front and a woven label inside.
A quick way to decide
| If your design is… | Start with |
|---|---|
| One or two flat colours, bold shapes | Screen print |
| Three or four spot colours | Screen print, multi-colour |
| A photo, gradient or many colours | Digital print (on cotton or juco) |
| A small logo on a premium bag | Embroidery |
| “Just our name, very subtle” | Woven label |
What about laminated bags?
On our jute and juco bags, lamination is on the inside only. The print goes on the outside fabric as usual, so lamination doesn't limit your choice of method.
If you are not sure, send us your logo and the bag you have in mind. We'll suggest a method and show it on the sample before anything is made in bulk. You can also try your artwork on real bag photos in our Bag Mockup Studio first.
If we're being honest about our own preference: a plain natural bag with one bold screen-printed colour still outsells the fancier, more expensive options for most of our buyers. It isn't the most exciting answer, but it's the one that keeps coming back as a reorder.
Questions buyers ask us
Which print method is cheapest for bags?
For large runs of a one- or two-colour logo, screen print usually gives the lowest cost per bag. Digital print suits many-colour artwork.
Can you print photos on jute bags?
Photo-style artwork looks best on smoother fabrics such as cotton or juco. On jute, bold designs printed by screen work best.
Is embroidery possible on jute?
Yes, for small and simple logos. Embroidery is most popular on canvas, cotton and juco bags for premium retail and corporate gifts.
Can I combine methods?
Yes. A common combination is a screen-printed front with a woven label inside or on the side.
Tell us what you need.
Product, quantity and destination is enough to start. We review your requirement and reply with a quotation.