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Retail packaging, especially bags that are durable enough to be reused by your loyal customers, are much more than just great advertising. They communicate to your shoppers that you care enough about your merchandise to go above and beyond.

But how do you know which type, style, and branding strategy is right for your store? We’re letting you in on our 4 simple steps to picking out the perfect retail shopping bags for your store or boutique.

The 4 Simple Steps to Picking Out the Perfect Retail Shopping Bag

Step 1: Know the Basics

What is retail packaging? Before you can pick out the perfect bag, you need to get a feel for what custom packaging is, and what it can do for your business. These days, so many business owners are so focused on getting an online presence up and running, they seem to be overlooking the importance of their brick-and-mortar shopping bag. If your shipping boxes are impeccably branded, but you haven’t updated your shopping bag since you first opened your store 5 years ago, it may be time to look at the potential that retail shopping bags offer as part of your branding strategy. Remember, with more options to buy online than ever before, if a customer is making the effort to actually come to your store, the touch of a customized bag can really elevate their shopping experience.

RELATED: 7 of the Most Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Shopping Bags

Step 2: Consider What You’re Selling

Depending on what you’re selling, tossing products into a flimsy, non-recycled plastic bag can be a real turn off for your customer. If you have high-end or gift-type merchandise, it’s important to find packaging that reflects that. When deciding on your customized shopping bag, you don’t only need to consider which type of bag will best hold your products – you also have to make sure your packaging is consistent with your brand. If you’re a clothing store marketing towards teens and twenty-somethings, consider a trendy, frosted plastic euro tote bag with your store’s name hot-stamped on it. If your store specializes in artisan jewelry, a smaller velvet or organza pouch may better suit your needs.

Related: 5 Types of Customizable Bags That Will Make Your Business Stand Out from The Competition

Step 3: Wrap It Up in Style

What makes an impeccable shopping bag? One that doubles as a bag cute enough to use for gift wrap. Nothing is better than walking out of a store with the perfect gift in the perfect bag. The choices are endless…whatever you’re looking for, there’s a bag with your name on it (pun totally intended). Just a couple ideas to get you started:

• Opaque or clear bags – if you want to intrigue anyone who sees one of your customers walking out of your store, a peek at what’s inside the bag may just do the trick. If you want to potentially get more customers through your packaging, an opaque or clear bag may be the perfect option for you.
• Reusable Canvas Bags – canvas totes are great in that they can be essentially a gift for your customer! Everyone loves a great canvas shopping tote, and what could be better than one with your store’s logo printed on it? Now that’s making your marketing dollars work for you.
• Branding: Blatantly branding your customized retail packaging means people know exactly where and who you are. And with the fact that 31% of consumers in the U.S. own a promotional or branded bag, the chance of yours being reused is pretty well-worth it! Customizing your packaging can be a real game changer for your brand identity, so whether you choose a recycled kraft shopper or a decorative shopper, having your logo or name printed on your bags means everyone who sees it gets to know you and your brand a little bit better. You get the idea. Your brand will be getting a lot of mileage around town.

Bonus tip: Keep in mind that presentation really is everything. Consider ordering custom tissue paper with your store’s name or logo on it, or, for an even easier look, add in several sheets in colors that complement the hues of your bag.

Step 4: Remember: Your Bag Is Real Estate!

Advertising budgets can get depleted fast, especially if you’re just starting out or are a small business. Custom shopping bags give you the opportunity to communicate and control what your shoppers know about your store – so make sure you’re taking advantage of the opportunity.

If you’re thinking about custom printing your bags, decide if you’d rather your logo take up a large portion of your bag (if your main goal is building brand recognition) or if you’d rather it be small and centered, using your brand colors as more of a focal point.

Remember, your shopping bags are going to be seen by more than just the people who have patronized you – so take advantage! Who knows? An Instagram celebrity may decide to take a pic of your bag and upload it to her 18,000 followers. Imagine if you had your store’s logo and website printed on it the bag in that picture!

These are just a few of our tips on selecting the perfect custom shopping bag for your business or store. The right bag doesn’t just lend a certain feel, it also shows customers you care about them and your products enough to go the extra mile. Ready to order the perfect bag for your store? Get started today. And keep checking back with us for more ideas, explanations, and how-to’s.