Cotton Seed Bags for Seed Companies: Sizes, Labels and Bulk Ordering

Seed companies use small cotton drawstring bags, usually 2x3 to 4x6 inches, for retail seed packets and gift sets, and larger 8x10 to 12x16 bags for bulk seed and samples. Cotton breathes, so seed is less likely to sweat than in a sealed plastic pouch, and a printed cotton bag looks like a product people want to buy and keep.

This guide is for seed businesses buying bags in quantity. For home gardeners saving their own seed, see muslin bags for gardening and seed saving. All sizes below are standard cotton drawstring bags, and our cotton seed bags are available in the small sizes seed sellers use most.

Sizes by seed quantity

Always test-fill one bag with your actual seed. Large, flat seed like squash takes up more room than its weight suggests.

Why cotton for seed

• It breathes. Seed is alive. A sealed plastic bag can trap moisture from slightly damp seed and encourage mould. Cotton lets air exchange.
• It is reusable. Customers reuse the bag for next season's saved seed, which keeps your brand in their shed.
• It suits the market. Heirloom and organic growers' customers tend to prefer natural packaging.

Cotton is not a moisture barrier. For long-term storage, seed should be kept cool and dry, and some companies place a paper packet inside the cotton bag or store stock in sealed containers until it ships.

Labeling basics

Seed sold in the US is subject to the Federal Seed Act and state seed laws, which set what must appear on the label, such as the kind and variety, lot number and germination information. Requirements depend on the seed type and where it is sold, so check with your state department of agriculture.

Because the details change with every lot, most seed companies do one of two things:

• Print the brand and variety name on the bag and add a small label or tag with lot and test details.
• Use a plain bag with a full printed label or tag on the cord.

A hang tag on the drawstring is also the neatest place for planting instructions.

Printing your brand

Small bags have small print areas, so keep the design simple: a logo or wordmark in one colour. Canvas gives a sharper print than muslin on very small bags. See our guide to printed cotton pouches for logo sizes on 2x3 to 5x7 bags.

Who buys cotton seed bags

• Heirloom and specialty seed companies.
• Garden centers and nurseries packing their own seed.
• Seed libraries and community seed swaps.
• Wedding and event planners using wildflower seed as favors.
• Farms selling cover crop or pasture seed samples.

Frequently asked questions