Calico bags are one of those products that look simple until you have to order 500 of them. Sizes are quoted in millimetres, fabric weight is quoted in GSM, and the handle style changes what the bag is actually good for. Pick wrong and you end up with gift bags too small for the product or carry bags that sag under a load of groceries.
This guide covers the three decisions that matter: size, fabric weight and handle style. It is based on the calico bags range we stock and ship Australia-wide, so every size mentioned here is one you can actually order.
What is calico, exactly?
Calico is a plain-woven cotton fabric, left unbleached and undyed. That is why it has that natural cream colour with small flecks of cotton seed through the weave. It is the same fabric family as canvas, just lighter, and it has become the default choice for reusable retail bags in Australia for a few reasons.
It is a natural fibre, so it biodegrades at end of life, unlike woven polypropylene. It is tough enough to survive hundreds of uses. And it takes screen printing beautifully, which is why so many galleries, bookshops, markets and conference organisers use printed calico as walking advertising. If you are weighing calico against other reusable options, our comparison of paper, calico and NWPP bags breaks down the trade-offs.
Calico bag sizes: what the measurements mean
Calico bag sizes are listed as height x width in millimetres, measured on the bag itself (handles and drawstrings are not included in the measurement). So a 300x200mm drawstring bag is 30cm tall and 20cm wide.
Here is how the common sizes in our range map to real uses:
Small drawstring bags (120x80mm to 210x150mm)
The little ones. A 120x80mm or 200x100mm bag suits jewellery, crystals, dice, coins, soaps, wedding favours and small gifts. The 210x150mm size is a favourite for boutique retail: it fits candles, cosmetics and small homewares with room to cinch the drawstring properly.
Medium drawstring bags (300x200mm to 400x300mm)
The workhorse sizes. A 300x200mm bag holds gift hampers, produce, bread or shoes. Step up to 350x250mm or 400x300mm for larger gift packs, garment storage or product packaging where you want the bag itself to be part of the presentation.
Large drawstring bags (500x400mm and 600x500mm)
These are storage and bulk sizes. Laundry, linen, toy storage, market produce, even santa sacks at Christmas. The 600x500mm is the biggest calico bag we stock and it swallows doonas and pillows without complaint.
Carry bags (380x300mm to 460x370mm)
Handled calico bags run from the classic 380x300mm two handle shopper up to the 420x380mm large carry bag and the 460x370mm backpack style. These are the sizes you want for retail checkouts, trade shows, conferences and tote bag printing.
GSM explained: what fabric weight actually tells you
GSM stands for grams per square metre. It measures the weight, and by extension the density and durability, of the fabric. It is the single most useful number for comparing calico bags from different suppliers, because two bags can look identical in a photo while one is half the weight of the other.
As a rough guide for calico:
- Around 100-120 GSM: lightweight calico. Fine for gift bags, favours and promotional bags that carry light loads. Slightly translucent when held up to light.
- Around 130-150 GSM: the standard weight for quality stock calico bags. This is the sweet spot for shopping bags and printed totes; sturdy, opaque and still economical.
- 160 GSM and above: heavy calico heading toward canvas territory. Choose this weight for bags that will carry books, bottles or groceries daily for years.
A note on honesty in specs: GSM varies slightly between fabric batches because calico is a natural product. Treat any quoted GSM as a nominal figure, and if fabric weight is critical for your use (for example, a printed bag that must survive daily commuter use), ask us for a sample before committing to a bulk order. Exact specs are listed on each product page in the calico range.
Handle styles: drawstring, two handle, shoulder strap or backpack?
Size and GSM settle what the bag can hold. The handle style settles how people use it.
Drawstring bags close at the top, which makes them the pick for gifts, storage and product packaging. Nothing falls out, and the cinched top looks finished without ribbon or tape.
Two handle bags are the classic shopper. Short handles suit hand carrying at retail checkouts and trade shows. Long handles let the bag sit over a shoulder, which customers tend to prefer for anything heavy.
Shoulder strap bags have a single long strap and hang across the body. Popular with markets, festivals and bookshops because they leave hands free.
Backpack style bags close with drawcords that double as straps. A favourite for sports clubs, schools, swim gear and event merchandise.
Here are three popular picks across the range, one from each buying scenario:
Printed calico bags: turning a bag into a billboard
Plain calico does the job, but printed calico does two jobs: it carries the purchase home, then it carries your logo around town for years. Screen printing suits calico's flat weave, and a single colour print on natural calico is one of the most cost-effective branded items you can put in a customer's hands.
Our express custom printed packaging range covers printed calico in 1, 2 and 3 colour options, printed one side or both. Artwork setup is straightforward: solid colours and bold logos reproduce best on the textured natural fabric, while fine gradients are better suited to other materials. If you are unsure whether your artwork will translate, send it through and we will tell you before you spend a cent.
Buying calico bags in bulk
Stock calico bags are sold in packs of 50, which suits most retailers testing a new size. Once you know what works, bulk buying is where the unit price drops. A few practical tips from the warehouse floor:
Order one pack of your shortlisted size first and load it with your actual product. Ten minutes of testing beats guessing from a size chart. Store calico somewhere dry; cotton absorbs moisture and can develop mildew spots in a damp storeroom. And if you are ordering for an event, allow lead time for printing rather than paying for rush freight.
For orders beyond standard pack quantities, use our request a quote page and we will price the volume properly. We ship Australia-wide from Brisbane (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and regional included), dispatch same day on weekday orders placed before 12pm, and back it with a 5% price-beat guarantee. Questions? Call 1800 555 343.
Frequently asked questions
What GSM should a calico shopping bag be?
For a bag that will carry real shopping loads regularly, look for roughly 130-150 GSM or heavier. Lighter calico around 100-120 GSM is better suited to gift bags, favours and promotional giveaways with light contents.
What size calico bag do I need for gifts?
For jewellery and small favours, 120x80mm to 200x100mm works well. Candles, soaps and cosmetics suit 210x150mm. For hampers, clothing or larger gift packs, go for 300x200mm up to 400x300mm in a drawstring style so the top closes neatly.
Are calico bags washable?
Yes. Cold machine wash or hand wash, then line dry. Expect a small amount of shrinkage on the first wash, as with any untreated cotton, and wash printed bags inside out to protect the print.
Are calico bags eco-friendly?
Calico is unbleached, undyed cotton, so it is biodegradable and holds up to hundreds of uses, which is where reusable bags earn their environmental keep. The biggest factor is reuse: a calico bag used weekly for years beats any single-use option. See our full reusable eco-friendly bag range for calico and other options.
Can calico bags be printed with my logo?
Yes. Screen printing in 1 to 3 colours, on one or both sides, is available across drawstring, two handle and shoulder strap styles. Solid, bold artwork reproduces best on the natural weave.
How are calico bags different from paper bags?
Calico costs more per bag but survives hundreds of trips, so cost per use is low. Paper bags are cheaper per unit and suit high-volume checkout use where bags rarely come back. Many retailers run both: paper at the counter, calico as a premium or branded option.
Ready to Stock Up on Calico Bags?
Dispatched Australia-wide with same-day dispatch before 12pm, backed by our 5% price-beat guarantee.
Shop calico bagsRequest a bulk quote