FAQs
You ask, we answer!
If you can't find the answer you need below, please get in touch. Drop us
an email to CBsales@thecleverbaggers.co.uk or call our friendly
sales team on +44 (0)1938 530 050
Questions
If you can't find the answer you need
below, please get in touch. Drop us
an email to CBsales@thecleverbaggers.co.uk
or call our friendly sales team
on +44 (0)1938 530 050
Questions
You ask, we answer!
If you can't find the answer you need below, please get in touch. Drop us an email to CBsales@thecleverbaggers.co.uk or call our friendly sales team on
+44 (0)1938 530 050
Ordering
Do you have a minimum order quantity?
When ordering from our standard range of products shown on our website you can, as a general rule, order from one to a million or more plain or printed.
Prices can vary depending on the number of each product you purchase - the cost per item will decrease with increased quantity. Price breaks for plain products are shown on each product page of our website. When preparing your quote for printed products, we will advise you if your requested quantity is close to a price break, and we can provide prices for different quantities if required.
How do I order plain (unprinted) goods?
Our plain/unprinted goods can be ordered directly off the site. Simply go to the website page of the product you require, enter the quantity into the field available, click 'Add to Basket', and complete your order through the checkout.
How do I order printed items which are shown on your website?
Any items which are shown and described on our website as being printed can be ordered in the same way as plain/unprinted goods. Simply enter the quantity you require, click 'Add to Basket' and complete your order through the checkout.
Please note these items are printed to order and may take longer to produce at busy times of year.
If you need the items for a particular date, please call our customer service team first.
How do I order custom printed products?
Prices for products printed with your own artwork (custom printed products) are dependent on the complexity of your artwork as well as the product and quantity required.
For this reason, you will first need to request a quote through our website. Our customer service team will then examine your request, and may contact you to clarify details, before uploading a quote to your customer account area.
To place the order once you have received the quote, simply click the 'Order' button, check the delivery details are correct, enter your payment information and confirm the order.
How do I get a Quote?
- Create an account on our website
- Navigate to the product you would like to have printed, then click on the 'Get a Quote for Printing' button.
- Complete the Quote Request form with as much detail as you can provide.
- Let us know of any project deadlines, or other important information in the comments box.
- Upload artwork if you have it ready.
- Click the 'Proceed with Quote' button.
- The quote request will now be in your basket, if you are looking to get quotes on more than one item then click 'Continue Shopping' and repeat the previous steps for the other products.
- Continue through the Checkout, entering the requested information to submit your quote request.
- Please note: if you are asked for payment (not just an address) at this stage then your basket contained plain goods as well as your quote request. If you don't want to purchase these, return to the top step in the checkout, click 'Edit Basket', remove everything except your quote request, then return to Checkout
You'll receive a notification & quote summary via email as soon as your quote is ready for your to view in your account.
How do I order from my Quote?
The easiest way to access your quote is to click the 'View Quote' button in the email you received with the quote summary. This will take you directly to the quote in your account area.
If you are not logged in to our website, the system will prompt you to do so.
You can now simply click the 'Order' button and proceed through the checkout to confirm and pay for your order.
To access all your quotes through the website:
- Click 'My Account' at the top of your screen.
- Click the 'View Account' button.
- Click 'My Quotes'.
- Click the reference number in the 'Web Ref' column to access each quote.
- Place an order for the quote you want to proceed with by clicking the 'Order' button and then continue through the checkout to confirm and pay for the order.
- Our website does not allow multiple quotes to be combined into a single order. If you wish to order several different custom printed products, or products printed with several different designs, please submit a quote request with one line per product or design. We will then process this to create a single quote with multiple lines which you can convert into a single order.
- If you'd like to be re-quoted at any stage prior to placing your order, please contact our customer service team who will make the required amendments and send an updated quote to you.
- If you require the order to be shipped to a different country than the delivery address given in your quote request, please contact our customer service team as we may need to issue you a new quote to ensure VAT is applied correctly.
The product I want is out of stock! Can I still place an order for it?
For plain/unprinted goods, we do not offer a facility to place orders for order out of stock items through our website.
Where the website offers you the facility to sign up for stock notifications, please make use of this and you will receive notification by email.
For products printed with designs available direct through our website, we only offer ordering of products which are currently in stock.
For custom printed products we do accept orders for products which are currently out of stock. Our customer service team will advise you of our expected lead time from date of arrival of goods.
In all instances, our customer service team can advise on estimated stock arrival dates but please be aware that delays can occur within the supply chain.
Can I order a sample?
For plain/unprinted goods, as we have no minimum order please order a single unit through our website.
If you require a sample product printed with your own artwork, please request a quote for a single unit and note in the comments box that this is a sample prior to a bulk order. The technical term for this is a "strike off". Please let us know the likely quantity of your bulk order.
We will then be able to ensure that your strike off is printed using the same method as your bulk order would be.
If you are looking for a print sample but do not require it to be printed with your own artwork, please call our customer service team to discuss.
Printing
Do you print on the products shown on your website?
Yes, we do! The majority of products shown on our website are available for custom printing with no minimum order quantity.
If you see the 'Get A Quote for Printing' button on a product page, this indicates our ability to print on this product. If the only buttons showing are 'Add to Basket' and 'Add to Favourites', this item is not one we can custom print with your artwork.
We use a number of different print methods within our workshop, and will select the most appropriate for your needs based on product, quantity, and complexity of artwork.
What are the benefits of having my products printed by The Clever Baggers?
With your artwork or branding printed onto them, our products become your own which you can sell - or they can be used help you increase awareness of your brand through ethical packaging or use in promotional campaigns.
By using our in-house printing services rather than buying unprinted items from us and getting them printed elsewhere you will be using our decades of experience in printing onto our specific products as well as saving yourself time and energy by reducing the length of your supply chain and number of suppliers you need to keep track of.
Can I print on your products?
Yes, many of our customers print on our products themselves. If you're interested in printing or decorating our products yourself but do not have any equipment to do so, we also offer a range of fabric craft supplies. Items such as fabric paints, inks and screens for screen printing, transfer paper and vinyl can all be bought direct from our website.
Do you print on all your products?
We are able to offer custom printing with no minimum order on almost all of our products. If the 'Get a Quote for Printing' button is shown on the product page of our website, we are able to print on that product. Due to the nature of our printing processes there are restrictions on print method, quantity or placement for some products.
Our customer service team are happy to assist if you have any questions.
Are your products suitable for sublimation printing?
Dye sublimation is not a print method we have ever used in our own workshop so it is not a technique we have carried out any testing or are able to offer advice on. We understand that it is now possible to buy materials for sublimation printing onto 100% cotton cloth, whereas in the past this technique could only be used on synthetic fabrics.
As we have no minimum order we would recommend purchasing a small quantity of the products you wish to print on for testing purposes.
What print methods do you use?
We use a number of different print methods, and will always select the most appropriate one for your order based on product, quantity, and complexity of your artwork. Some information about our main print methods is below, please contact our customer service team if you require further detail.
Screen Printing
Most of our printed products are produced by this method. We normally use this print method only on orders of 100 units or more, but we may screen print smaller orders for certain products. Your products will be printed with eco-friendly water-based inks.
All our colours are mixed in house specifically for each order and we can match to Pantone references or to a colour swatch if you have a brand colour which does not match a specific Pantone colour. If you are ordering items from us which you require to be matched to other promotional items or packaging, please supply a physical sample if at all possible as the nature of the material being printed has a strong effect on the way colour is perceived and we can then ensure the closest match possible.
Digital Printing
All our digital printers use eco-friendly inks and can print in full colour onto most of the product colours and materials in our range. The level of complexity of design we can print is limited more by the characteristics of product than by the printing method.
Heat Transfer Printing
The design is applied to the product using a heat press and the wax base of the transfer paper blends into the natural fibres of the product. Using this print method, we can reproduce full colour designs onto natural and white products whilst retaining all the tonal detail and vibrancy of the original artwork.
What are the print areas of your products?
Print areas vary from product to product and are dependent on design and print method used.
We recommend requesting this information during quoting if required, or contact our customer service team with details of the product, design, and quantity you require and we will advise accordingly.
Do you offer edge-to-edge printing?
Our standard print processes do not allow edge to edge printing.
We are able to offer this on bespoke products - contact us for further details.
How much does it cost for printing?
For an accurate costing, please request a quotation via our website.
As a general rule of thumb, the higher the quantity of product ordered with the same design, the lower the unit cost. In most cases, for orders over 100 units, the number of colours in the design will also affect the price.
Other print options, such as metallic or foil print, and whether you opt for single or double sided (where available) will also affect the cost.
If you have any questions regarding costings, either related to a quote you have received or prior to submitting a quote, please do contact our customer service team.
What is your lead time for custom printed products?
Our print lead times can vary based on the print and volume of the order as well as how much existing work we have on at the time, we will provide you with an estimated lead time on order. All lead times are from approval of artwork proof to date of despatch.
If you need your order by a specific date please let us know when you request your quotation. We will always do our best to meet your needs, and may offer additional services such as our fast track service to get your order to you as soon as possible.
Will I see a mockup or proof prior to printing?
As part of our quality assurance, it is required that digital proofs are approved before any custom print order goes to production.
Once you place your order from your print quote our studio team will be in contact regarding your artwork proof.
All quotes for custom printing include up to 3 digital proofs (initial proof + 2 sets of amendments) per design. If any additional proofs are required, then this is charged at £30+VAT per set of 3 additional proofs. Please see our terms and conditions for more information.
What is the best format for my artwork file?
If you can provide your artwork as a vector file (.ai, .pdf or .eps) this will always be the best format as it can be scaled very easily to the appropriate size. Alternatively, please provide an image file (.jpg, .png or .tiff) at minimum resolution of 300 dpi at a size as close as possible to the size it is to be printed.
If you're not sure whether the artwork file you have meets these guidelines, please get in touch. We can easily check the file for you and advise accordingly.
Can I order a sample of the printed product?
If you are looking for a sample of your design printed onto our product prior to placing a larger order, please follow the steps to request a quote for a single unit and note in the comments box that this is a sample for a larger order, and the expected quantity of the larger order. This process is known as ordering a "strike off". Please ensure you include your artwork in the quote request and we will then ensure the strike off is printed using the same method as the bulk order.
Delivery
When will I receive my order?
Orders of plain (unprinted) items are despatched as soon as possible after payment is received. This is usually within 1-2 business days.
The delivery options you are shown at checkout will indicate the expected delivery time from the date we despatch your order. For most UK address, this is no more than 3 working days.
For printed items, the delivery time stated at checkout is in addition to the print lead time. If you require printed items to be despatched by a specific date, please contact our customer service team to discuss as our lead time does vary throughout the year.
How long will it take to despatch my order?
For custom printed items, our print lead time is measured from approval of artwork proof to the date of despatch from our workshop. Orders are despatched the same day as printing is complete, or on the next working day if the order is completed after the courier has collected from us.
Please note that at busy times it may take a little longer for our studio team to prepare and send your artwork proof. If you require the goods for a specific date, please ensure this is discussed and agreed before placing your order.
Orders of plain (unprinted) items are despatched as soon as possible after payment is received. This is usually within 1-2 business days.
Do you deliver to Europe?
Yes, we can deliver to businesses in Europe. Please contact our customer service team to discuss your needs as we will need to process your order via telephone and email rather than through the website.
In order to ship your order to the EU, we will need the VAT and EORI number of the Importer of Record, as well as contact details for the importer if this is different from the delivery address. For non-EU countries we will need the VAT number of the importer unless VAT is not applicable in the destination country.
Please note that in all instances, it is the importer's responsibility to pay import duties and VAT, these are not included in the prices quoted by us. We are able to supply commodity codes for our products if required.
Do you deliver internationally?
Yes, we can deliver internationally, provided the destination country does not have any regulations preventing the import of our goods.
Simply place your order through the website, selecting the appropriate country when entering the delivery address.
Please note that in all instances, it is the importer's responsibility to pay import duties and VAT, these are not included in the prices quoted by us. We are able to supply commodity codes for our products if required.
In some instances, the website will show a message to contact us. This does not mean that we cannot deliver to your country, just that we have not yet entered delivery prices to our site. Please call or email our customer service team and we'll get things set up for you as quickly as possible.
Can I use my own courier?
For shipments to UK addresses, if you have a preferred courier and wish to arrange the shipment of your order yourself you may do so.
Please select the "Collect in Person" delivery option during checkout. Once your order has been picked & packed you will receive notification from our website that your order is complete. Please do not make arrangements with your courier until you have received this notification.
Once you have booked the collection with your courier, contact us to confirm which courier will be collecting the parcel and when. For data security reasons the collecting driver will not have access to the delivery information you entered and so we will not know which parcel to give to the driver if you have not informed us which courier to hand it to.
If you require any information such as weight of the parcel, please contact us requesting these details.
For international shipments using your own preferred courier, we can ship to your UK address and you can arrange onward shipping from there.
What delivery options do you offer?
We offer a variety of delivery options depending on delivery address, size of order etc. Please see our Delivery information page for further details.
For online orders with an ex. VAT value over £150 and shipped to a UK mainland delivery address we offer a free 2-3 working day delivery option.
Products
Where are your products made?
We work with a number of different manufacturers in the UK, Europe, India and China. If you require information on country of origin prior to purchase please contact our customer service team with details of the specific products you are looking to purchase.
For further information on how we source our products, please see our Sustainability information page.
What are the Accreditations / Certifications mentioned in some product descriptions?
These are international standards used to show compliance with desired practice in different areas within the textile and garment industry.
OEKO-TEX 100 is a safety standard showing that a textile product is free of harmful substances.
BCI Cotton BCI certified cotton is produced in a sustainable manner.
amfori BSCI provides a means of monitoring human rights, environmental protection, and other social compliance issues throughout the supply chain.
Are your products compostable?
Yes they are! If you want to put it in your compost heap, just be sure to remove any zips, buckles, eyelets or other non-compostable components that might be on the bag (e.g. anything metal).
The best way to ensure the bag composts quickly is to cut up the fabric into small squares, or better yet, by shredding it into threads. The smaller the pieces, the better! Be sure to add the fabric scraps alongside fresher, 'wetter' items such as food waste or garden clippings to help them break down quicker.
If you do not have a compost heap available please take the bags to a recycling facility or, if they are still useable, a clothing bank or charity may accept them.
How long will the products last?
We have had reports and feedback from customers that our cotton bags have lasted them well over 12 years.
With all textile items, their useful lifespan is dependent on storage conditions, frequency and heaviness of use, as well as the materials used in construction. If well looked after, textile products will last for years to come.
Our paper products are likewise designed to be more than single-use items - although paper bags are often used as such, they can easily be re-used for storage around the home or even as an outer layer of gift packaging. Our paper mailers are frequently re-used by our customers and if re-sealed well will protect their contents on more than one journey through courier networks.
Can I resell the products?
Yes of course! Whether custom printed or not, once you have bought and received the products from us they are yours to do with as you wish.
Many of the custom printed products we produce for our customers are sold as retail items in their own right, and a sizeable proporation of our customers buying unprinted goods do so to print and re-sell the products themselves.
We do ask that you do not use images from our website or social media channels when reselling products sourced from us. Please create and use your own promotional imagery for any products you sell.
Can I wash the products?
Natural Bags & Cushion Covers (Product Codes Ending in NL)
To maintain the natural lustre of the untreated cloth, washing is not recommended. As the fabric has not undergone any bleaching or dying process, the product will shrink. We suggest a gentle sponge clean.
Coloured Cotton, Canvas Bags & Cushion Covers
Hand wash gently, pull to shape, and dry flat. Iron only on the reverse of the printed cloth with a warm iron.
Tea Towels & White Aprons
Gentle warm wash, gentle spin, pull to shape and dry flat. Iron only on the reverse of the printed cloth with a warm iron.
Coloured Aprons
Very gentle wash, cool rinse, reduced spin, pull to shape and dry flat. Iron only on the reverse of the printed cloth with a warm iron.
