Someone emailed us last week asking for a quote on “500 bags.” Nothing else, just that.
Turned out, once we asked what was going inside, she needed something for individually wrapped soap bars not totes at all. A tote would’ve swallowed them whole and looked half empty on the shelf.
That happens more than people realise. When most buyers sit down to plan a bags wholesale order, totes are the first thing that comes to mind. Big, printable, easy to picture. But if what you’re actually packing is small jewellery, a sample product, a gift set a big open tote is honestly the wrong tool.
We get this conversation a lot. A brand comes to us wanting “bags,” and once we ask what’s going inside, small cotton drawstring bags end up being the better call almost every time. So let’s talk about why this size gets skipped, and when it’s genuinely the smarter order.
Why Totes Get Picked First, Even When They Shouldn’t
Totes are the obvious choice because everyone already has a picture of one in their head. Shopping bag, giveaway bag, event freebie easy to visualise, easy to order.
Drawstring styles don’t get the same attention, even though they solve a problem totes just can’t. Put something small inside a big bag and it feels lost the moment the customer opens it. Not exactly the impression you’re going for.
A cotton drawstring bag closes properly, for one thing. It holds the shape of whatever’s inside rather than letting it slide around loose in a bag that’s too big for the job.
Where This Size Actually Shines
Jewellery’s the obvious use, but it’s nowhere near the only one.
We’ve made these for gadgets, chargers, small cosmetics, wedding favours, gift sets, even sports accessories that need to stay together in a kit bag. Drawstring styles work well anywhere a full-size tote would feel like overkill.
Because it’s cotton, it’s soft against whatever’s inside no scratching, no snagging on packaging. And they fold flat when empty, so a bulk order doesn’t eat up half your storeroom either.
The Sizing Mistake That Causes Most Reorders
This is the bit people skip, and it’s usually why they end up reordering within a month.
Not every cotton drawstring bag is built the same size. One made for a small trinket won’t fit a phone charger set properly, and something sized for sports kit will look oversized wrapped around a single ring.
Measure the actual product before you order not what “small” sounds like in your head. We keep a range of sizes for exactly this reason, because “small” genuinely means something different depending on what’s going inside it.
Fitting This Into a Bigger Order
Most brands don’t need just one bag type, and honestly, that’s completely fine.
A setup we see a lot totes for the main giveaway, a smaller drawstring run alongside it for a premium or delicate line. Ordering both together usually costs less than placing two separate small orders down the line, which a few of our customers only figured out after the fact.
If your brand sells more than one kind of product, it’s worth thinking this through upfront rather than realising halfway through that half your range doesn’t actually suit a tote.
Where Small Bag Orders Usually Go Wrong
Assuming one size covers everything. It doesn’t. A bag sized for jewellery won’t work for something bulkier check the dimensions before committing to a bulk number.
Picking colour without thinking about print space. Small bags have less surface to work with, so a bold, simple design usually reads better than something detailed and busy.
Skipping the sample. This matters even more here than with totes, since the closure and the actual fit are hard to judge from a photo.
Not testing the cord. A drawstring that’s thin or slips loose defeats the whole point of the bag. Worth checking before you commit to the full run.
Before You Place the Order
If what you’re packing is small, don’t force it into a tote just because that’s the default. A properly sized drawstring bag protects the product better and, frankly, looks more considered once it’s in a customer’s hands.
We manufacture small cotton drawstring bags alongside our wider bag range, from 100% natural cotton sourced sustainably. Not sure which size or style fits what you’re packing? Send us the details and we’ll point you to the right one before you commit to anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are small cotton drawstring bags typically used for? Jewellery, small cosmetics, gift sets, phone accessories, and wedding favours mostly, since the closed top keeps small items from shifting around.
Can I get a cotton drawstring bag custom printed with my logo? Yes. We print on drawstring bags the same way as our wider printed cotton range, so the branding stays consistent across the whole order.
Is there a minimum order quantity for a bags wholesale order?
It depends on the size and print method you go with. Best to confirm that directly before you lock in a budget.
Are small cotton drawstring bags reusable?
Yes — they’re washable, durable cotton, so customers tend to keep using them well past whatever they arrived with.
What size should I pick for a small product?
Measure the actual item first, then check it against a proper size chart rather than guessing based on the word “small” alone.