HERO Custom Calico Tote Bags - Custom or Plain - Recycled Cotton
per unit
Tax included
Product Description
Give your brand or event the moment it deserves. The Hero Calico Tote is sustainable, customisable and super duper cute.
Thick 120gsm weave, built to be reused.
Place your logo or artwork on the bag.
Ethically handmade and printed with water-based inks.
Equally at home as e-commerce inner packaging, a shopping tote, gift bag, or event giftbag, the Hero Calico Tote is the kind of packaging customers actually keep. Tuck one inside a Heropack mailer, pair it with custom tissue paper, or let it stand on its own as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic. Made from 100% recycled cotton and printed & dispatched from our Sydney warehouse, Australia-wide and internationally.
"The crew at Hero Packaging couldn't be nicer or more efficient. The sample bag was delivered promptly and is great quality — which means we'll be ordering 200 more!"
Specifications
| Material | 100% recycled cotton, unbleached natural calico |
| Weight | 120gsm - thick and durable |
| Size | 38cm × 42cm (W × H) |
| Handle | 84cm edge-to-edge, 30cm top-to-bottom (new longer handle) |
| Colour | Natural unbleached calico |
| Finish | Handmade. Minor variations are part of the charm |
| Minimum order | 25 bags, or a single printed sample |
| Printing | Colour printing, one side standard, both sides on request. Note: Colours may turn out softer than on screen |
| Care (plain) | We don't recommend washing the bags. |
| Care (printed) | Spot clean only, inks are not washable |
| Shipping from | Sydney, Australia, delivering Australia-wide and internationally |
Pricing at a glance
Per-bag pricing becomes more favourable as your order scales. All prices in AUD, tax included.
Savings shown are on custom-printed bags versus the 25-pack per-unit price. Prefer to test first? A single printed sample is $15, or a plain sample is $2.50.
"My order arrived very quickly and the quality is wonderful. I used them for Cyanotype printing and they turned out so well. I will be back!"
How custom printing works
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01
Place your order
Choose your quantity, select "YES - add my logo", and upload your artwork at checkout. No artwork yet? Email us after ordering at hello@heropackaging.com.au.
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02
Share your placement
Use our Canva placement template to show us exactly where to position your artwork on the bag.
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03
Receive your PDF proof (if you need one)
We email your digital proof within 2–3 business days for sign-off. Changes? Reply with notes!
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04
Order a printed sample (optional)
Want to hold the real thing before your bulk run? Add a single printed sample unit to your order. Dispatched within 2–3 business days of approval.
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05
We print and ship
Your full order is printed to spec at our Sydney facility and dispatched to your door. See exact dispatch times below.
"Super fast turnaround and easy to work with. The printing came out beautifully on the recycled calico — exactly what we wanted for our brand."
Printing & dispatch times
Times below begin after your PDF proof is approved. Allow an additional 2–3 business days to receive your proof.
| Order quantity | Print & dispatch |
|---|---|
| 1 printed sample | 2–3 business days |
| 25–100 bags | 3–4 business days |
| 250–500 bags | 5–6 business days |
| 1,000+ bags | 7–10 business days |
Event on the horizon? We may be able to prioritise your order. Contact the team or call (02) 8006 1283.
Before you order custom printing
- We can't print in white. Our eco-friendly inks don't support white. White backgrounds will drop out (showing natural calico); white logos and text will be converted to black.
- Colours may look softer than on-screen. Recycled cotton absorbs ink differently than paper — blacks can appear as deep grey, and saturated tones a touch more muted. If exact colour matching is critical, order a printed sample first.
- Double-sided printing is available on request. Email us at hello@heropackaging.com.au for a quote before ordering.
- Printed bags are not machine washable. Gentle hand-washing may be possible but test first — the inks are not waterproof.
- Handmade means no two are identical. Expect slight variations in measurements and fabric tone between batches. It's part of what makes them special.
Questions about your order? We're here to help.
Our team replies fast on business days.
Custom Tote Bag FAQ
What’s the minimum order for custom printing?
Just 25 bags which is one of the lowest minimum order quantities in Australia. You can also order a single printed sample unit before committing to a bulk run. If you want 5 or 10, just let us know and we can do that for you.
Can I order a printed sample before my full order?
Yes. Choose “1 – SAMPLE UNIT” as your quantity with “YES - ADD MY LOGO.” We’ll print one bag with your artwork so you can see it in hand before committing. This is $15.
What file format should I upload for my artwork?
We recommend high-resolution PDF, AI, EPS, or SVG for vector logos, or PNG/JPG at 300dpi or higher. Vector files always produce the cleanest print result.
Can you print on both sides of the bag?
Yes - double-sided printing is available on request. Please email hello@heropackaging.com.au for a quote before placing your order.
Will my brand colours match exactly?
We do our best to match, but recycled cotton absorbs ink differently than paper, so prints can look slightly softer than on-screen. If precise colour matching matters for your brand, we strongly recommend ordering a printed sample first.
Can I print my design in white?
Not currently. Our eco-friendly inks don’t support white printing. White backgrounds in your artwork will drop out, appearing as natural calico, and white logos or text will be converted to black automatically.
How long until I receive my PDF proof (if I want one)?
Allow 2–3 business days from your order for the digital proof. Changes are welcome before final approval.
Please note:
- The more changes you make, the longer it will take for production to begin
- One change is included. Any further changes incur a cost of $20 per change
- If you choose to get a refund after the approval, you will be refunded the order amount minus $20
Are these bags washable?
Plain, unprinted bags can be gently hand-washed in cold water to prevent shrinkage. Printed bags should not be washed, as our eco-friendly inks aren’t waterproof and colours may run.
How sustainable are these bags, really?
Very. They’re made from 100% recycled cotton, handmade by ethical manufacturing partners, and printed by Hero Packaging, a proudly certified B-Corporation based in Sydney, Australia. Designed to be reused for years, they replace dozens of single-use plastic alternatives over their lifespan.
Do you ship outside Australia?
Yes. We ship Australia-wide and internationally to New Zealand, Canada, the USA, the UK and other countries. International standard delivery is typically 5–20 days, while express is 3–7 days. Import duties may apply in the destination country.
What if my artwork upload fails at checkout?
No worries, place your order and leave a note at checkout, then email your artwork and placement template to hello@heropackaging.com.au. We’ll match it to your order and move straight to proofing.
Can you help me if I don’t have print-ready artwork yet?
Yes. If your artwork isn’t quite ready, you can still place your order and send through what you have. Our team can review it and let you know if anything needs to be adjusted before proofing.
If you need design help, we can also help with this. Please email us for a quote.
Where on the tote bag can my logo be placed?
Your logo can usually be placed on the front of the bag in a standard print area. If you have a specific layout or placement in mind, you can use our placement template to show exactly how you want it to appear.
Do you do block colours?
While we can do that, we typically recommend no big block colours. This is to ensure the best printing quality.
Are these tote bags suitable for events and conferences?
Yes. They’re a great option for conferences, welcome bags, product launches, PR gifting, retail events and branded activations. They’re especially popular because people actually keep and reuse them after the event.
Can I use these as product packaging for customer orders?
Absolutely. Many brands use calico tote bags as premium inner packaging or as part of a gift-with-purchase experience. They’re a simple way to make an order feel more elevated and memorable.
Do you offer plain tote bags as well as custom printed ones?
Yes. If you don’t need printing, plain calico tote bags are also available. They’re ideal if you want a simple reusable bag or plan to customise them yourself.
Can I reorder the same design again later?
Yes. If you come back for another order using the same artwork, the reorder process is much easier. Just let us know it’s a repeat order and we can work from your previous design setup if nothing has changed.
What types of businesses use custom calico tote bags?
They’re popular with fashion brands, retailers, event agencies, PR teams, skincare and wellness brands, bookstores, florists, gift businesses and corporate teams looking for practical branded merchandise.
How much weight can the tote bag carry?
These tote bags can easily carry up to 5kgs.
Can I order these for a tight deadline?
Absolutely! If you have a a tight deadline, we can get these done for you. There is a rush order fee of approximately 15-40% depending on how quickly you need them.
REVIEWS
Shipping & Returns
Dispatch Times - In-Stock Products
Dispatch Times - Custom Printed Orders
Delivery Times & Information - Australia
Delivery Times & Information - International
General Shipping Information:
DISPATCH TIMES:
SAME-DAY DISPATCH BEFORE 12PM AEST/AEDT on business days (holiday trading hours may differ).
All orders are shipped the next business day (holiday trading hours may differ).
AUSTRALIA: Australia Post is currently delivering as normal, but please choose Express Post in checkout if you need products quickly. Take note of the estimated delivery times in checkout. For Sydney-based customers, we also have same-day delivery options in checkout.
INTERNATIONAL (outside Australia):
There may be some delivery delays for non-Australian orders. Please allow more time for your order to arrive and check your tracking link for the latest information before contacting us. Take note of the estimated delivery times in checkout. If in doubt, contact the shipping carrier directly to obtain further information. When ordering mailers, it's best to keep additional buffer stock to avoid running out.
Contact us for urgent orders: If you are in urgent need of compostable mailers, we can provide a separate shipping quote for non-Australian orders using other shipping carriers such as DHL Express who will be delivering faster than our usual carriers. Please contact us if this is an option for you and we can assist.
Dispatch times:
READY TO SHIP PACKAGING (NON-CUSTOM)
Please note that unforeseen events such as natural disasters can impact dispatch times. Check our website for the most up to date information.
CUSTOM
Custom Printed Boxes:
Full-Colour Printing (available here): Dispatched in 3-7 business days
Bulk orders:
Logo (Basic) Printing (available here):
25-100 units --> 3 to 4 business days
250-500 units --> 5 to 6 business days
1000+ units --> 7 to 10 business days
300+ units --> These can be split into 2-3 deliveries to keep our production line moving along smoothly. We will always contact you when this occurs.
Custom Printed Calico bags/totes and paper mailers:
25-100 units --> 3 to 4 business days
250-500 units --> 5 to 6 business days
1000+ units --> 7 to 10 business days
Have an event or urgent deadline? We might be able to prioritise your order. Please contact us, live chat or phone (02) 8006 1283.
Delivery times:
Australian orders:
Delivery times: In general, please allow 2-8 business days (standard shipping) and 1-3 business days (express shipping) for delivery once your order has been shipped. For Sydney Metro customers, we do also offer warehouse pick-up and have same-day shipping options on our website. Please note that unforeseen events such as natural disasters can impact delivery times. Check our website for the most up to date information.
International orders:
Delivery times: We offer both International Standard and International Express shipping options for New Zealand, Canada, USA, UK and other countries. In general, please allow 3-7 days for express international shipments, and 5-20 days for standard international shipping delivery. Delivery times vary from country to country and estimated shipping times will display in checkout once you’ve entered your shipping address. Please note that unforeseen events such as natural disasters can impact delivery times. Check our website for the most up to date information.
Import duties: Orders placed outside of Australia will be classed as an import in the recipient country. As such, you will need to pay the associated import duties and taxes required to clear customs in your country. The shipping carrier assigned to your shipment will contact you using the details on your order when placed. If import duties are not paid by the recipient as required, the shipment will be diverted to commercial composting facilities for disposal and cannot be returned. No refunds will apply in these cases either.
Returns:
Change of mind: If you have purchased the wrong size, or no longer need your mailers, you may be able to return them for a store credit within 14 days of purchase. Due to the renewable ingredients used and shelf life of our mailers, no change-of-mind returns can be accepted under any circumstances after this period. We have a strict returns process to ensure all returns are received correctly and can be re-sold to other customers. Change of mind returns are also subject to handling and restocking fees and the original shipping cost being deducted from any store credit. For custom orders which have not been printed yet, a sampling/setup fee between $15-$50 will also be deducted from any change of mind returns for custom orders. If a custom order has already been printed, no change of mind returns will be accepted. If you need to return your product(s), please contact us for further instructions.
Pre-Order Information:
Occasionally, our products could be out of stock and move to a pre-order listing. This will be noted when purchasing the products and will also be noted in your order confirmation alongside any pre-order items.
No Split Shipments: Please note that if pre-order items are purchased together with regular items which are in stock, the entire order will be on hold until the pre-order stock is available for shipping (we cannot partially ship orders). If you wish to place a pre-order as well as purchase available items, it's best to purchase separately to avoid delays in shipping your order.
You will receive a shipping tracking notification as soon as your order has been dispatched. If you have any questions, please message us for assistance.
