7 January, 2022

All You Need To Know About Promotional Jute Bags

It’s become very common to see now people at shopping centres walking around with their own custom jute bags that display a business name on the side. The push to make plastic bags redundant has gathered huge strides in the past five years, and now it is more familiar to see people bringing their own bags to the shops instead of getting one-time use bags. The bag quickly becoming the stock choice is those made from jute.

There are several reasons why they have become so popular. Firstly, it is the way they look. Jute bags are sturdy and quite chunky. They have a powerful look to them. Along with that means they are strong bags that can hold a lot of weight. Unlike some lighter materials such as calico, jute is tough and durable. This means people can pile the groceries in without worrying that the bag will fall apart as they carry their groceries to the car.

So, what is jute material? It’s a natural vegetable fibre that comes from the jute plant. The most common is the white jute, though recently Tossa jute has become the main type of jute in production, and there are other varieties available. It is primarily grown in India and neighbouring countries, but 85% is produced in the Ganges River Delta. The plant itself is fast-growing and can grow over 10 feet high. The fibres are harvested in a single long string, which also gives it the strength it has, and the fibres themselves are among the longest natural textile fibres you will find anywhere in the world. It has been used in the Indian subcontinent for at least 5,000 years.

If jute is so strong and durable, why isn’t it used in more products? The main reason is jute is a rough fibre, so it’s not suited for apparel as it is too abrasive against the skin. It can be softened, but it is an extensive production that is very costly, so most manufacturers avoid it and focus more on what works, which is bag manufacturing. 

As jute is plant-based, it means it is extremely eco-friendly. It biodegrades relatively quickly. The actual production of jute has remained relatively unchanged for centuries. The stalks are harvested then defoliated. They then go through a process called "retting" where the non-fibrous material from the stem and skin of the jute stalk is removed. After this process, the fibres are then combed into long strings and then spun into yarn.

Due to its roughness, when branding, it is best to keep it simple and bold. Fine text and large block areas of colour are not recommended because much of the fibre stands up. This makes it difficult to flatten to get a good print result. The flip side of this is that it makes the bag look more “rural” and raw, a popular look.

If you are considering branded jute bags for your next promotion and are a little unsure which style would suit you best or what branding would work, don’t hesitate to contact us, and we’d be happy to help.

Reference: https://sewport.com/fabrics-directory/jute-fabric

The Promotional Bags Team