Custom photo bags - show off your personality

Expressing yourself is an American pastime. We often make a lifestyle out of self-expression, and so we search for ways to accomplish this goal.

American women look for ways to adorn themselves to achieve a particular look or style. This look or style is part of their self-expression and can be seen in the choices they make for jewelry, handbags and shoes as well as their typical clothing selections.

One of the more popular trends is the photo handbag, which is personalized by the owner’s choice of a personal photo or a photo of a memento.

PHOTO HANDBAG STYLES

Tote bags are the most practical of handbags. They can be used as a portable office, make-up center, locker room, travel companion, library or family resource. They are usually easy to add a photo to because they are pliable and soft. Some come with a stable bottom plate and others are sewn with a knifepoint edge that makes the bag slim. These soft totes are not meant for heavy use but instead for quick hauling. Still other totes are used for common uses such as grocery shopping or delivery of goods.

­ Clutches also come in a variety of sizes from small to large. They require a bit more skill when adding a screened photo. Clutches usually have a stiff shape to them and a tight clasp to keep them secured. They are carried in all types of situations from evening to casual events.

­ The fashion bag is generally an up-scaled version of the tote bag. It is given a recognizable silhouette that usually fits the trends of the season. The means of carrying a fashion bag vary. Some fashion bags require the user to carry them over the shoulder and others come equipped with a handle for easy carrying.

GETTING A PHOTO HANDBAG MADE

Any of the three handbag styles can be made into a photo handbag. The makers of these bags vary from the local silkscreen company to a high fashion photo bag from a known handbag retailer or manufacturer.

Here is what you need to do to get a photo handbag made.

1. Decide what you want by choosing the style of bag and the photo you want to display. This is where your personality can shine through. Choose a topic that you are enamored with, a family member you cherish or an object or a scene that holds meaning for you. Have fun with this but know that your kitten photo on a tote bag is probably not the best choice if you are headed out to dance in a local club on Friday night. Choose well. You can always have more than one made. In fact, you can collect them.

2. Locate a manufacturer of photo bags or a screen printer. Screen printers will typically require you to supply the bag. Not all screen printers will be able to handle all types of handbags for printing so check and investigate what the printer you are considering can accomplish. Bring them a sample of the bag for verification before allowing them to print on it if they seem unsure of your request.

Look on the web for the handbag manufacturers that make photo handbags. If you have custom requests find the right person to assist you with your needs by inquiring and gathering information.

Some of your local retailers may have the ability to have custom bags made as well, so keep your eyes open for evidence of photo bag items and ask your sales clerk what the possibilities are.

3. Choosing your photograph is the most important part of the photo handbag process. Ask the printer what they need to make a clear and precise print to your handbag. Consider the following when choosing the photo.

­- The size – going larger for reduction is better than choosing a small photo for enlargement. Small photos that are enlarged lose crispness and clarity and can sometimes appear fuzzy.

­- Horizontal choices will less likely be cropped whereas vertical photos will probably always be cropped to fit a handbag, especially a clutch.

­- Choose a photo that has a focus. Photos with too much detail, no main subject or with a main subject that is less than an inch will be hard to read or not very memorable.

Have fun with creating your photo handbag and be ready for questions and reactions to your choices. People will want to know the who, what, when, where and how of your new masterpiece.