Fabric and shopping bags

Between 140 and 180 grams per square metre for everyday use. Below 120, the fabric is see-through and gives way at the corners. Above 280 it's canvas: it lasts for years but is heavy, which pushes up shipping costs. If a bag doesn't state its weight, it's usually because it's low.

It depends on the run size. Screen printing has a screen cost per colour but drops a lot per unit: from two hundred pieces it's the option. Below that, digital transfer works out better and allows more colours with no extra charge.

Yes, with a white base underneath. That's one extra printing pass, and it's worth including it in the quote from the start.

By looking at how they're stitched. A handle that's glued or only stitched at the edge tears off with four kilos inside. We look for handles that run down the inside of the bag and finish with a cross-stitch. And it's worth checking the length: if the handle doesn't fit over the shoulder with a coat on, the bag stays at home.

Yes, if requested: organic cotton with certification and traceability of origin, not just a label.