Books and reading
World Book Day bags
World Book Day is usually the first Thursday in March, and a printed book bag is one of the few things from the day that gets used all year. We print tote bags for bookshops, libraries, schools and PTAs in Leeds, in 1 to 4 spot colours. Every bag in a run carries the same design, so the best book bags have one shared print: your school or shop name and a design about reading.
Book bags
The mini tote takes a paperback or two. The 38 x 42 cm totes take picture books, hardbacks and an A4 reading folder. The Recycled Cotton Tote Bag is the one to pick when you're buying for a whole school.
Mini Cotton Tote Bag
Printed from £1.20 +VAT
Sample £0.58 +VAT
Available colours
BlackNaturalOrangeWhiteFrench Navy
Recycled Cotton Tote Bag
Printed from £1.22 +VAT
Sample £0.60 +VAT
Available colours
BlackNaturalOrangePurpleWhiteNavyplus 6 more colours
Cotton Tote Bag Long Handle
Printed from £1.42 +VAT
Sample £0.77 +VAT
Available colours
BlackBottle GreenBurgundyCornflower BlueCranberryKelly Greenplus 42 more colours
Recycled Cotton Marl Tote Bag
Printed from £1.28 +VAT
Sample £1.50 +VAT
Available colours
NaturalGreen MarlOrange MarlRoyal MarlRed MarlSky Blue Marlplus 2 more colours
Premium Recycled Cotton Tote Bag
Printed from £1.64 +VAT
Sample £0.95 +VAT
Available colours
BlackNatural
Will a book fit?
The Mini Cotton Tote Bag is 26 x 32.5 cm. Add a hardback or an A4 book, or switch to a bigger bag.
- A4 brochureFits
- Hardback bookFits
26 cm wide, 32.5 cm tall, about 4 litres. See this bag
When to order for March
Aim to have your bags a week or two before the day, so there's time to fill them and hand them out. Check next year's date on the World Book Day website before you plan back from it.
Turnaround counts in working days from approved artwork. Orders placed after 13:00 count from the next working day. Allow a day for us to check your artwork and send your proof.
Next working day +20% express fee
Express range only, up to 500 per bag
Order byThu 18 Febbefore 13:00
2 working days +15% express fee
Express range only, up to 500 per bag
Order byWed 17 Febbefore 13:00
3 to 4 working days +10% express fee
Express range only, up to 500 per bag
Order byMon 15 Febbefore 13:00
5 to 6 working days +5% express fee
Express range only, up to 500 per bag
Order byThu 11 Febbefore 13:00
7 to 10 working days
Order byFri 5 Febbefore 13:00
One design for every reader
Screen printing puts the same print on every bag, so a school can't give each pupil their own name. What works well is one design everyone shares: the school or library name with a stack of books, a line about reading, or every class's favourite book title printed on the back.
A design competition works well too. Print the winning drawing on every bag. Ask for it in thick black pen on white paper, then scan it at high resolution, and we'll check the file for free.
World Book Day is run by a charity of the same name, and we're not connected with it. Design your own artwork around reading rather than using their logo, unless you have their permission.
A class, a year group or a school
Live prices for the Mini Cotton Tote Bag, per bag ex VAT with the screen charge spread over the run.
| Quantity | 1 colour | 2 colours |
|---|---|---|
| 30 bags | £2.53£75.88 total | £4.11£123.38 total |
| 60 bags | £1.86£111.76 total | £2.78£166.76 total |
| 120 bags | £1.53£183.52 total | £2.11£253.52 total |
| 250 bags | £1.36£339.00 total | £1.77£441.50 total |
| 500 bags | £1.28£638.00 total | £1.61£803.00 total |
Live prices for the Mini Cotton Tote Bag in Natural, printed on one side, ex VAT. Each price includes the one-off £40.00 screen charge per colour, spread across the order. Delivery is added in the basket.
Before you order
- Check the date. World Book Day is usually the first Thursday in March, but confirm next year's on its website.
- Watch out for February half-term. Have the bags delivered before or after it, not while the school is shut.
- Count bags per class, then add spares for new starters, staff and the ones that go missing.
- Schools can pay by purchase order and invoice. See how it works.
- Send the artwork early so there's time for a proof. Free artwork check
- Bookshops selling bags on the day: price a heavier tote alongside. Merch tote bags
Bookshop and reading bags
One amber ink on black recycled canvas 
One cream ink for a library friends group
Questions people ask
When is World Book Day?
In the UK and Ireland it's usually the first Thursday in March. The charity that runs it confirms each year's date on its website, so check before you plan your order.
Can each child's name go on their bag?
No. Screen printing puts the same print on every bag in a run. Go for one design that everyone shares, such as the school name and a reading line, or a pupil's winning drawing.
What size bag fits a book?
The Mini Cotton Tote Bag, at 26 x 32.5 cm, takes paperbacks and an A4 book. For picture books and hardbacks, a 38 x 42 cm tote such as the Recycled Cotton Tote Bag has more room.
Can we use the World Book Day logo on our bags?
Only with the charity's permission. We're not connected with World Book Day, so design your own artwork around reading instead.
Can a school pay by invoice?
Yes. Schools can pay against a purchase order and invoice: ask us before you order. Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay and bank transfer work too.
When should we order?
Our turnaround is 7 to 10 working days from approved artwork. Ordering in January leaves room for proofs and half-term. Use the planner above to see your last order date.
Planning for March?
Send us the design and rough numbers. We'll check the file for free and confirm the dates.