Anatomy of a Reusable Bag

When you know the anatomy of a reusable bag, you’ll be able to discuss and measure gussets, trim, and other reusable bag parts like a pro.

Anatomy of a Reusable Bag

Front & Back Panels: The large fabric panels where customized logos and graphics are placed. Print space is usually the space between the handles. Handles can be sewn to the top for wider graphics.

Handles: Handles are measured in net length from the top of the bag on one side to the top of the bag on the other. Handles with 50 cm net length fit over the shoulders of most men and women.

Trim: A finished ribbon called trim used to attach front panels to the gusset. The trim piece gives the bag crisp corners and reinforces strength. Usually trim matches the bag color and material, but it can contrast for artistic effect.

Gusset: A separate piece of fabric between the front and back panels to allow the bag to extend and fold. Not all bags have a gusset. Some bags, like cotton bags, use seams on the bottom to allow the bag to open.

Top Hem: The stitching for the fold at the top of the panel. For most reusable bags, the top hem is about one inch below the top of the bag.

Bottom Insert or Stiffener: A piece of plastic placed inside the bag for added stability and durability.

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I’ve Been Using Them for 12 Years!

I see your best seller guarantees 2 years of regular use – OMG – I’VE BEEN USING THEM FOR 12 YEARS! And still using them. I’ve used them weekly to go grocery store and washed them quarterly since I purchased them in 2004!! I haven’t purchased another bag since I bought yours.

I still use it to this day

I bought my first 1Bagatatime bag in 2005 from a local produce stand, Kordell's in Lake Oswego, OR. I still use it to this day in 2015 on a weekly basis. I thought it was a great idea then, and look, now every store asks "Do you have your reusable bags with you?"

The bags are exactly what we wanted

Every Earth Week, we give away 20,000 free custom reusable bags. 1 Bag at a Time is attentive and responsive and offers us great customer service! The bags are exactly what we wanted (and come in right on budget) and our customers look forward to them every year.

Allison Weinhagen

Director of Community Engagement / City Market, Onion River Co-op

The quality of the bags is so good

The Mountain Lodge Telluride has been purchasing top quality bags from 1 Bag At a Time for the past 5 or 6 years. We use the bags as a marketing tool for our Lodge and give them away in each room upon arrival so our guests can use the bags for local shopping and therefore cut down on plastic bags contaminating our planet. The quality of the bags is so good people take them home and re-use them. We have images of our property along with our name and website. I have seen our bags in Australia, Europe, South America and all over the United States. They are very popular and the marketing value is unbeatable.

Neil Hastings

Director, Sales and Marketing / Mountain Lodge Telluride

Excellent service

We’ve been a customer of 1 Bag at a Time for approximately 10 years and have always received excellent service, competitive pricing, and a top-notch product. Lisa is very responsive and great to work with

Norma Angel

Sr. Administrative Analyst / Santa Monica Public Library

We love our 1 Bag at a Time

We (here at LifeSource Natural Foods) love our 1 Bag at a Time reuseable grocery bags. Because we change our color combination and/or design with each order, our customers collect them and use them whenever they shop elsewhere. And, the customer service is great, too!

Roxanne Magnuson

Marketing and Outreach Director / LifeSource Natural Foods

Excellent customer service – with 1 Bag at a Time

At Harvest Co-op Market, we have been repeat customers for 10 years. We not only wanted a good quality, long lasting bag for environmental reasons, but we also wanted to be sure that workers were treated responsibly. We found both - along with excellent customer service - with 1 Bag at a Time

Christopher Durkin

Director of Membership and Community Relations / Harvest Co-op Market