A gift bag has a different job from a shopping bag. It is carried once, photographed often, and kept far more than it is thrown away. That shifts the spec: tactile finishes and decorative handles matter more than load rating, and the interior is visible when the bag is opened, so many buyers print the inside face too.

Seasonal timing is the operational reality. Holiday gift bag orders need artwork locked roughly ten weeks before you need stock on the shelf, because Q4 is when every packaging factory is running at capacity. Plan the sample round early and the production round is straightforward.