Frequently Asked Questions
- Who wants these bags?
- Are tote bags really environmentally friendly?
- Why should I choose Tote Bag Factory Asia?
- I can get these locally in 5 days, why are you so slow?
- Who are you?
- Who do I deal with?
- What else do you do?
- How long does it take to get my bags?
- I need bags without a logo
- What is the virtual sample tool?
- Why do you offer free samples of your standard designs?
- Can I get a sample with my logo on it before I place an order?
- How do I pay you?
- What currency do you deal in?
- What is the normal order process?
- I have questions, who can I contact?
- What does the price include?
- What other costs are there?
- Artwork: What file format do you want artwork in?
- What is vector artwork?
- I’ve only got the logo as a jpeg, is that OK?
- How will I know how my order is going?
- Who else do you sell to?
- Can you match my fabric color?
- Can you match my fabric weight?
- Why are some things in cm, and some in inches; some in grams and kilos, some in pounds?
- Can you match a print color?
- Are these made by children?
- Can you print photos on bags?
- How much of the surface of the bag can I print?
- Can I get my design of bag?
- Which freight company do you use?
- Can we specify our shipping company?
- How do I know what I’ll be getting?
- What is your minimum order?
- Why don't you do less?
- What effect does the time difference have?
- How does shipping time vary to different cities?
- So, you have these 12 models. I don't want one of them. Can you make the bag I want?
Who wants these bags?
Tote bags are extremely popular for trade shows, and all kinds of promotional giveaways, as well as retail carry bags and packaging.
Are tote bags really environmentally friendly?
They are environmentally friendly in that as a reusable product, they stop the use of plastic bags which tend to be single use. So, they are “green” in how they are intended to be used.
Why should I choose Tote Bag Factory Asia?
Tote Bag Factory is a genuine Chinese exporter, offering world’s best pricing, but with an added benefit - you get a level of service you don’t get from Chinese factories. As someone who has been on both the manufacturer (exporter) side since 1991 and ALSO an Australian importer for 11 years, I know what service you need. I also understand the uncertainties and frustrations you face when your clients depend on you, and you cannot depend on your factories.
We make it easy for you to get prices for your designs, plus we offer pricing on a range of existing designs. Our prices are done in the simplest way possible, including all delivery costs, duty and taxes, right to your warehouse door.
I can get these locally in 5 days, why are you so slow?
There are many stockists of bags in the US with the ability to print your logo within a few days. Often with these bags, the bag itself is great value because they are imported in such large quantities (tens or hundreds of thousands at a time) and the print might cost about the same price as the bag.
The total price is more expensive, but you get the convenience of being able to get them fast. We can’t compete with this timeline because we manufacture bags from scratch. At best, we can make bags with your logo and airfreight them. This saves about 3 weeks, but will still be lower than the locally printed option. The key benefit we offer you is premium quality at incredibly low prices.
Who are you?
You can read the profiles of the business owners here.
Who do I deal with?
All sales and production inquiries will be sent to stuart@totebagfactory.asia. You will be dealing with me, Stuart Gordon, a 16 year veteran of the promotional products industry.
What else do you do?
We only manufacture and deliver tote bags, so we can be the best at it.
We don’t do sports bags, keyrings, baseball caps or drink bottles.
(If you want other merchandise we can refer you to one of our strategic partners.)
Just tote bags.
Our focus on this one line means we can make the best quality, in the fastest time frame, and at the best prices for you.
How long does it take to get my bags?
From start to finish will be around 10-11 weeks.
This will be approx 2-3 weeks for a preproduction sample, then 4-5 weeks for the full production. Then 3-4 weeks for seafreight. Airfreight will save about 3 weeks from this timeline.
If all goes well - your artwork is good and the sample is approved quickly – then 8-9 weeks might be possible.
I need bags without a logo
Sure, just ask for a specific quote. If you are a stockist or printer, let us know about your ongoing usage pattern, and we can give you a quote that suits you. If you are a printer, and would also like to offer your clients a complete custom made solution, ask us.
What is the virtual sample tool?
Technologo is a tool that we offer so that you can upload your client’s logos onto our bag pictures to create a simple layout as a sales tool.
Why do you offer free samples of your standard designs?
If you like our standard designs, it can make it easier to use our samples and secure an order. It is a starting point. You are welcome of course to customize your bag order. Our samples are available in a wide color range, and you can order any bag in any (stock) color, provide us with your FedEx (or other) courier details and we’ll send them out at no charge.
Can I get a sample with my logo on it before I place an order?
A sample with your logo is made as part of our normal ordering procedure. This will be photographed and emailed, and if you need the actual sample, this can be FedExed. If you want a sample without placing an order, we can arrange that for just the cost of the print setup ($65 per color). A sample will then be made in accordance with your design, photographs emailed, and the bag FedExed to you. When you confirm your order, it will be made to match this sample. If there are changes to be made, another sample will be made as a final confirmation.
How do I pay you?
For small orders (less than $5,000) we accept payment by PayPal (online) or by an international money transfer to our Hong Kong-based USD account. For larger orders (between $5,000 and $15,000) we will accept a deposit of 50% with the order, and the balance before the goods are shipped to you. For larger orders (over $15,000) we can use a deposit / balance before shipment or a Letter of Credit. We do not charge any extra for payments made by Mastercard or Visa.
What currency do you deal in?
For simplicity, everything is in USD
What is the normal order process?
Here are the steps to ordering:
- download our free price list
- request a quote
- request a sample
- you send your artwork
- we do a layout
- or you do a virtual sample
- place your order
- make deposit or full payment
- sample is made and photographed, sent
- sample is approved, production occurs
- production report (independent + photos)
- make balance of payment
- goods dispatched to USA by sea or air
- goods delivered to you
I have questions, who can I contact?
Contact stuart@totebagfactory.asia by email or call the numbers on our contact page.
What does the price include?
When you get a quote from us it will specify the terms. We tend to quote including delivery to you (please specify your postcode) and including all freight costs and duty.
What other costs are there?
Generally none. We include all setup cost, freight cost and so on in our quotes. Exceptions will be your FedEx costs for samples (if requested) and setup costs only if you choose to request a custom printed sample without committing to an order. In this case you pay the setup costs of $65 per color to make a one-off sample.
Artwork: What file format do you want artwork in?
Ideally we’d like artwork in Adobe Illustrator format (CS2 preferred). We also use CorelDraw X4. These are both vector artwork files, which are the best for logos.
What is vector artwork?
Vector artwork, also called “Line Art” is the format that most logos are created in. They can be scaled without loss of quality.
I’ve only got the logo as a jpeg, is that OK?
It’s not as good as having vector artwork, however we can redraw it. Note, we do not use any type of “auto trace” programs to do this. They are reconstructed by an artist line by line. This will cost $30-50 for most logos, and we give you back an EPS version for future use.
How will I know how my order is going?
At each step of the way you’ll know what to expect, and how long it will take. We know that often the information about your order is the most important thing, so you can keep your client up to date.
Who else do you sell to?
Our typical customers are US-based importers of promotional products who are already familiar with dealing with China, but are dissatisfied with the pricing and the service they are getting.
Can you match my fabric color?
There are three ways we offer fabrics.
- We have a standard range of colors in our palette, and we try to keep these as consistent as possible over time (about a dozen colors).
- We can source a specific color from a wider range of available stocks. This widens the color choices you have (e.g. if you want “burnt orange” instead of bright orange or “burgundy” instead of red). The minimum order for a custom color is 20,000 pcs
- If you want a specific match we can dye the fabric with a minimum of 50,000 pcs. This gets you as close as possible.
Can you match my fabric weight?
Absolutely. Tell us what you are after and we can make it. We have a range of “standard” models just as a starting point. Making your own designs is no problem at all.
Why are some things in cm, and some in inches; some in grams and kilos, some in pounds?
It’s a crazy mixed up world. As a center for world trade, China does specify things in both metric and imperial. In most cases we’ll specify BOTH to avoid confusion.
Can you match a print color?
No problem. We use the internationally recognized PMS (Pantone) color matching system.
Are these made by children?
No. We employ only adult labor.
Can you print photos on bags?
Yes. We use different methods of print including screen printing (best value, and best for simple logos) through to full color transfers, or coated fabrics with sublimation prints. There will be differences in prices for these types of prints, so send us a note outlining what you need, and we can quote you properly.
How much of the surface of the bag can I print?
Edge to edge. The fabric are printed before they are made up, so you can always get what you want.
Can I get my design of bag?
Absolutely. The best way to get a price is to send either a photo or drawing via email, with the dimensions that you want, and we’ll come back to you within 24 hours with a price.
Which freight company do you use?
We use a company with a worldwide network called Energy Logistics. They are small (so give great, fast, personal service) and have affiliates throughout the world. This lets us control delivery right to your warehouse door, including paying the import duties as the goods land in the US.
Can we specify our shipping company?
Yes. If you want to buy on different terms to our DDP (delivered duty paid) and want to buy on any other terms, specifying your freight company, that is absolutely fine.
How do I know what I’ll be getting?
The process of crystal clear layouts and sampling, means you’ll always see the product before you get the full production. Plus, we use an independent testing and inspection company who send you a full report (including photos) of what you will receive. Our goal is… no nasty surprises. Only nice ones.
What is your minimum order?
5000 bags is the minimum order.
Why don’t you do less?
Our target market is regular importers and specialists in promotional products. For those that are after smaller quantities, they will find that a local stockist in the USA is able to offer a tote bag with a print in a very short space of time. Generally, for those that are importing, 5000 pcs is not a big quantity at all.
What effect does the time difference have?
Actually, it can be a pain in the rear. There is not a big overlap of working hours between Asia and the USA. This can have a positive impact too – you can shoot us an email at the end of your day, and have an answer when you arrive at work the next morning! I am also available at all sorts of weird hours - so email your inquiry and give us a try!
Here is a handy reference so you can work out what time it is in Sydney or Hong Kong. http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
How does shipping time vary to different cities?
USA West Coast (Long Beach, LA, or Oakland) is the fastest – with a sailing time of just 11-15 days from China.
East Coast (anywhere from PA, Texas and Florida) is 26 days… so will be slightly longer - 2 weeks more than West Coast.
Inland – we ship and truck in.
So, the total delivery time is made up of 3 things really.. Sampling time + Production Time + Shipping Time. Sampling is generally 1-2 weeks. Production is 6 weeks and shipping is 3 weeks.
So, you have these 12 models. I don’t want one of them. Can you make the bag I want?
Absolutely. The 12 models we show are just to give you a jump start. You might like to present those designs to your clients (we have samples ready to send you at a moment’s notice!). If you want your bag – something special - send us a photo or a drawing and tell us the dimensions, number of colors in the print… anything you think is relevant (oh, and which city you want them delivered) and we’ll quote within 24 hours.
