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Guide

Printing on cotton bags: screen printing, DTF or embroidery? How to choose

A cotton bag with your logo works like a small advertisement that someone carries around town. Before you order one, you need to choose a marking method. Each has different strengths, a different minimum quantity and a different look. Below we describe the three methods we do in Warsaw, and printing on fabric before sewing for very large runs.

Marking methods for tote bags: DTF from 50 pcs, embroidery from 100 pcs, screen printing from 500 pcs

The methods at a glance

MethodFrom how many pcs (Warsaw)Best forNotes
DTFfrom 50 pcssmall and medium runs, multicolour logos, photos, gradientsfull colour, soft-touch print
Embroideryfrom 100 pcslogos that should look "premium"works best on thicker fabric (220 g/m²), we simplify the logo
Screen printingfrom 500 pcslarger runs, logos in 1–3 coloursdurable, uniform colour

DTF: full colour from small runs

DTF (printing on film, then transfer to the fabric) lets you reproduce a colourful logo, a photo or a gradient without costly preparation, so it pays off already from 50 pieces. It works well for campaigns, events and many designs in small series.

Embroidery: the impression of quality

Embroidery looks elegant and lasts, which is why hotels, beauty brands and institutions choose it. We offer it from 100 pieces. A logo for embroidery is usually simplified (fewer colours, thicker lines), because small details do not reproduce in thread. It looks best on thicker fabric, that is on a 220 g/m² bag.

Screen printing: large runs, few colours

Screen printing gives a durable, uniform colour and pays off for larger series, so we do it in Warsaw from 500 pieces. It suits logos in 1–3 colours best. Every colour needs its own screen, so multicolour designs are less economical than with DTF.

Very large runs: printing on fabric before sewing

For runs from 10,000 pieces we produce made-to-order bags in our factory in Uzbekistan: screen printing and printing on fabric are done before the bags are sewn. This is the solution for large rollouts where custom size, colour and marking of the whole batch matter.

How to prepare your logo

  • Preferably a vector file: PDF, AI, SVG or EPS. It lets you scale the logo without losing sharpness.
  • If you only have a raster file: PNG or JPG in high resolution (preferably at least 300 dpi at the target size).
  • For screen printing give the colours (e.g. from the Pantone palette) and their number.
  • For embroidery give the target size of the logo and accept simplified details.

Lead time

Marking in Warsaw (DTF, embroidery, screen printing) is usually completed in 7–10 working days after you approve the visualization. We agree lead times for large made-to-order rollouts individually.

Visualization and sample

Before you order we prepare a visualization with your logo on the chosen bag. If you want to see the material and workmanship in person, you can order a sample: the initial fee from 100 euro net is included in the order price if the order goes ahead.

Which method to choose

  • Few pieces, colourful logo: DTF.
  • "Premium" logo, hotel, beauty brand: embroidery on a 220 g/m² bag.
  • Large run, simple logo: screen printing.
  • Rollout above 10,000 pieces: made-to-order production with printing before sewing.

More about choosing the material in our guide Cotton tote bags 140 or 220 g/m². Want to see the available models? See the offer.

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FAQ

From how many pieces do you print?

DTF from 50 pcs, embroidery from 100 pcs, screen printing from 500 pcs (marking in Warsaw). Made-to-order production with printing before sewing: from 10,000 pcs.

Which method is best for a colourful logo?

DTF, because it reproduces many colours and gradients without extra preparation costs.

How long does printing take?

Marking in Warsaw usually takes 7–10 working days after you approve the visualization.

Can I see what the bag will look like with my logo?

Yes. We prepare a visualization before the order, and you can order a sample with an initial fee from 100 euro net, included in the order price.

What logo file should I send?

Preferably a vector file (PDF, AI, SVG, EPS). If you only have PNG or JPG, send it in high resolution.

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See also

Questions? Message us!