Custom Printed Canvas Drawstring Bags: Logo Placement, Ink and Ordering

Canvas is the best cotton to print a logo on: the tight weave holds fine lines and small text that would blur on muslin, and the bag is sturdy enough that people keep it. Custom printed canvas drawstring bags start at 100 pieces, and the price depends on quantity, bag size and the number of ink colours.

This guide covers the decisions that shape a printed canvas order. If you are still deciding which fabric to use, start with our plain cotton drawstring bags and the comparison in when to choose canvas drawstring bags.

Why canvas prints better than muslin

Muslin has an open weave, so ink sinks between the threads and edges soften. On canvas the threads are packed tight, so ink sits on a flat surface and edges stay crisp. In practice that means:

• Text down to a small point size stays readable.
• Thin lines in a logo do not break up.
• Solid areas look solid rather than speckled.
• The print lasts as long as the bag, even with washing.

If your logo is a simple bold mark, muslin can work. If it has fine detail or a small tagline, choose canvas.

How big can the print be?

The print area is smaller than the bag, because the cord channel at the top and the seams at the sides cannot be printed. As a working rule, leave about an inch clear on each side and below the cord channel. Our drawstring bag logo size chart lists the maximum print area for every size, and it applies to canvas as well as muslin.

Ink colours on natural canvas

Natural canvas is a warm off-white, not a bright white. That changes how ink looks.

• Black, dark green, navy and deep brown print cleanly and look premium on natural canvas.
• Mid tones like red, orange and teal work but look slightly warmer than on white paper.
• Pale colours and white have little contrast against natural fabric and are best avoided unless the bag itself is dyed.

Each extra ink colour adds a screen and a press pass. One strong colour usually looks better on canvas than three, and it is the cheapest option on small runs. The reasons behind the 100-piece minimum and how colours affect cost are explained in what 100 bags actually buys.

One side or two?

A print on the back doubles the press work but not the screen setup if the artwork is the same. It is worth it for bags that will be carried, such as event bags, because people see both sides. For packaging that sits on a shelf, one side is usually enough.

What to send for an accurate quote

1. Size of the bag, or the product that goes inside it.
2. Quantity, and whether it is a one-off or a repeat order.
3. Artwork as a vector file (AI, EPS, PDF or SVG). A PNG is fine to start the quote.
4. Ink colours, with Pantone references if you have them.
5. Deadline, so we can confirm it before you commit.

We send a digital proof before printing. Nothing is printed until you approve it.

Canvas or a canvas pouch?

For very small items such as jewelry, tea samples or keepsakes, a small printed pouch may suit better than a standard bag. Our custom drawstring pouches cover those sizes in cotton and muslin.

Frequently asked questions