Wholesale gift bags: the smart way to scale (without the stress)
Wholesale gift bags are trade-priced packs or cartons supplied to businesses that need consistent quality, reliable branding, and predictable costs. You’ll usually work with minimum order quantities (MOQs), approval samples, and a clear print specification — but get that right once, and you can roll the same bags out across seasons, events, and locations.
In short: one solid spec, one trusted supplier, and no last-minute “why do these look different?” moments.
Looking for gift bags?
Why buy gift bags wholesale?
If you’re ordering gift bags regularly, wholesale isn’t just cheaper, it’s calmer.
The big wins
- Lower unit costs, especially on repeat lines
- Consistent branding across shops, markets, pop-ups, and partners
- Stronger brand impact with the right print methods and finishes
- Stock security, including buffers for Christmas or busy spells
- Credible sustainability, from FSC paper to recycled content
- Fewer headaches: one locked spec, one reliable partner
What actually counts as “wholesale” (and what doesn’t)
Wholesale usually means
- Ordering full cartons or agreed pack sizes
- Buying at trade pricing
- Working to MOQs
- Signing off a formal spec (size, material, handle, print, finish)
You’ll often see tiered pricing, where the unit cost drops as volume increases.
What isn’t wholesale?
Loose retail packs, mixed clearances, or one-off odds and ends. Useful for testing, not ideal for rolling out a branded range.
Common wholesale pack formats
- Cartons: typically 100–250 bags, depending on size and material
- Inner packs: 10–25 bags for easy store or event distribution
- Mixed size sets: usually bespoke, often used by boutiques
Specifications that really matter
Lock these down early and you can compare quotes like-for-like.
Sizes
Always specify width × height × gusset (mm). Example: 250 × 330 × 100 mm.
Materials
- Kraft (uncoated): 120–200 gsm, natural, recyclable, prints beautifully
- Luxury laminated: 170–230 gsm, gloss, matt, or soft-touch finishes
- Recycled / FSC: State recycled % and certification clearly
Handles
Twisted paper, flat paper, cotton or PP rope, ribbon. Specify length, thickness, and end finish.
Finishes
Foil, screen ink, spot UV, emboss/deboss, lamination, varnish.
Size & material comparison (at a glance)
| Use case | Material | Typical gsm | Handle types | Print friendliness | Look & feel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate staples | Brown/white kraft | 120–170 | Twisted / flat | Excellent for 1–2 colours | Clean, minimal |
| Premium retail & events | Luxury laminated | 190–230 | Rope / ribbon | Strong for foil + solids | Polished, luxury |
| Eco-led campaigns | Recycled kraft | 140–200 | Twisted / flat | Great for bold single colour | Honest, sustainable |
Branding & print methods (plain English)
Your artwork, colour count, and coverage affect both cost and lead time.
| Print method | Best for | Min run* | Set-up | Colours | Typical UK lead time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot foil | Metallic logos on luxury bags | 250–500 | Foil block per size | 1 colour per pass | 2–4 weeks |
| Screen print | Bold logos on kraft | 250–1,000 | Screen per colour | 1–3 spot colours | 1–3 weeks |
| Digital | Short runs, full colour | 50–250 | Minimal | CMYK | 1–2 weeks |
*Guides only. Varies by supplier.
Trade-offs to know
- Foil looks stunning but needs a one-off block
- Screen is ideal for bold solids and cost control
- Digital is flexible but higher per unit
Tip: Ask for plate or block costs separately. They’re spread over repeat orders.
Need to know lead times for gift bags?
Read our article on lead times for gift bags
Samples & approvals (when to use what)
- Plain sample: Size, board weight, handle feel
- Printed PPS: Colour, foil, registration, finish
- Proofing: Digital or paper proofs; short tests for digital
Recommended flow: Plain sample → artwork sign-off → printed PPS → production
MOQs & lead times (what to expect)
| Route | What it means | Typical MOQ | UK lead time | Offshore lead time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Off-the-shelf | 1 carton+ | 1–5 days | — | Speed, top-ups |
| Semi-custom | Stock bag + your print | 250–1,000 | 1–3 weeks | 4–6 weeks | Proven sizes |
| Bespoke | Made to spec | 500–5,000+ | 2–4 weeks | 6–10+ weeks | Full control |
Christmas briefing guide
- UK runs: September–October
- Offshore: July–August
Comparing quotes fairly
Ask suppliers to complete the same worksheet and calculate landed cost per bag.
Watch-outs
- All-over ink coverage
- Multiple sizes (each needs its own plate)
- Split deliveries without call-offs
- Emergency couriers instead of planned stock
Sustainability you can stand behind
- Specify FSC certification and recycled % clearly
- Request documentation (e.g. FSC certificate code)
- Discuss recycled PP rope options
- Stick to single-material designs
No vague claims, just clear, provable choices.
Supplier checklist (before you commit)
- Proven reliability with similar UK clients
- Clear QC and PPS process
- FSC Chain of Custody where required
- Ability to hold call-off stock
- One named contact who knows your spec
Pilot → scale (the low-risk way)
- Trial: 250–500 bags
- Review: colour, scuffing, handle comfort
- Lock spec: freeze size, material, artwork
- Scale: call-off or multi-drop orders
Mini case studies
Seasonal retail (semi-custom)
A UK boutique ordered 1,000 matt-laminated bags with copper foil for Q4. A printed PPS caught a small foil alignment issue before production.
Corporate event (stock + overprint)
An events team needed 300 branded kraft bags in one week. We screen printed stock and delivered in four days.
Ready to spec your wholesale gift bags?
Send us your size, material, handle choice, and artwork, and we’ll return a clear, like-for-like quote.
Small enough to care. Big enough to cope.
Looking for gift bags?