If you have previously used promotional bags as a part of your marketing campaign, you are probably well aware that it can be difficult to balance the use of an eye-catching design with your branding. Part of the problem is that many of us are too focused on our logos – in this article, we show you the importance of going beyond this and looking into alternative design ideas. We’re sure that the finished product will be everything you need it to be.
- Bright & Contrasting Colours
The colour scheme is one of the most important parts of a design. It is often possible to create a bag that is subtly but strongly branded simply by using a strong or contrasting colour scheme. Whilst black is a particularly good choice for the background, it’s possible to use other colours (such as white, pink, red, orange and even turquoise). Think about colours that are going to make your brand stand out the most but that also complement it – you don’t want it looking like rainbow vomit.
- Photographs
Did you know that it is sometimes possible to add photographs to your promotional bags? Photos add instant class, making the item appear far more premium than it would otherwise and giving customers the impression that you’ve spent a bit of money (even if you haven’t). Just be sure to pick photographs that align with your current branding and products, otherwise the design is going to fall short. A photo of colourful fresh fruits, for example, is ideal for a fruit and veggie shop.
- Align Graphics with the Bag
Have you ever seen a bag that looks as if it was specifically made for the logo? Don’t make this mistake when putting together your own design – it should be the other way around. The graphics and the bag need to align as closely as possible – choose a style that you think customers will find useful and use a similar colour palette. This is actually a great strategy for strong branding, as the colours will trigger the customer’s memory of your logo without the branding being too obvious.
- Background Patterns
Some suppliers offer ready-patterned fabrics, but they should all be able to print over the entire surface if you ask them to. Don’t limit yourself to a tiny logo in the centre of the promotional bag – why not joyfully spread your branding from edge to edge using a background pattern? By using a colour that is only a few shades lighter or darker than the background, you can ensure that your logo is relatively subtle but has big impact. You could also use a contrasting colour to make it stand out.
- Do Not Fear the Edge
Following on from the point above, don’t resign yourself to placing a little logo in the centre of the bag. The use of the edge can make it appear fun and creative, encouraging customers to use the bag more often. Don’t be afraid to stretch your logo from one side to the other or even to align the design with the edge as opposed to the middle. Doing something different will help you to stand out from the crowd, making people stop and think “wow, what a creative little idea!”.
The next time you’re in the process of designing promotional bags for your marketing campaign, we hope that the above design ideas will enable you to think beyond the logo. Although the logo is certainly very important for your branding, rethinking how it’s used can get your point across more subtly and ensure that you’re in the forefront of people’s minds for a long time to come. Check out our range of options today!
