OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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COMMERCIAL
At Virobag we specialise in the manufacture of reusable bags to the trade industry.
Our clients industries include:
• Supermarket chains, department stores and retailers
• Boutique stores
• Independent fashion & décor brands
• Promotional and event companies
• Hospitality industries
We categorise our bags into two main categories according to production methods:
Multi-colour Digital Virobags
Limitless print design – Currently 7 different bag styles available.
Our digitally printed Virobags are our most popular bag styles as we are able to cover all our customer’s reusable bag needs. With limitless digital design and print we are able to print small or large production runs any design our customer requires be it for their brand, season, campaign, or event.
Uni-colour Budget Virobags
Simple – functional & reusable – Plastic bag alternative -
These reusable budget friendly bags are bulk manufactured in our automated plant and have less variety in terms of print design, branding and fabric colour. Budget Virobags provide larger retailers with an economic single-use plastic bag alternative.
They may be less impressive visually, but due to their designed price point, strength, size and reusability are true hero’s in terms of their statistics in both recycling plastic bottles and reducing single-use plastic bag consumption on a grand scale with medium to large FMCG retailers.
For more info enquire with us on info@virobag.co.za.
Yes, we supply both big chain retail as well as small independent retailers and stores.
Our production methods, and teams have been designed to cater for both smaller bespoke minimum order runs, as well as large retailer continuous supply runs via distribution centres.
We want all stores and brands regardless of their size, to be able to offer an alternative to single-use plastic bags, by providing an environmentally friendly reusable bag made from local recycled PET bottles. It also helps that the bags are fully customizable to the customers brand and message!
We pride ourselves in offering the lowest minimum order quantities in the industry.
For our multi-colour digital bags; minimums start as low as 250 units per bag and on first orders we accommodate a further reduction on this quantity, allowing you to test your markets response and ultimately getting more brands onboard in offering alternative sustainable packaging options.
For our uni-colour budget bags, due to the production methods higher minimum orders are required and discussed upon enquiry.
Our pricing is scaled on volume per order.
This allows our larger retail clients to enjoy the benefits of economies of scale needed in a competitive retail environment.
All Virobags including Digital bags and Budget bags are made 100% in South Africa from South African post-consumer recycled PET.
We do not import any raw materials used in the manufacture of Virobags.
Yes we supply various retailers within neighbouring African countries, Indian ocean islands as well as Europe and beyond.
Our team is experienced with export orders, so don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any enquiries!!
Once you have gone through our product page and have an idea of which bag types would suit your retail outlet or brand please continue to our contact section and complete the fill-in form here and with as much information as possible.
Our team will get in contact with you the next working day and answer any immediate queries you may have including options and pricing or request further information so as to be able to assist you as soon as possible.
Yes we do!
Our design department loves nothing more than to assist in the creation of the perfect bag design for your brand or campaign.
Our design service is free provided the bags proceed to order and are manufactured.
We create bag designs from scratch as well as partner up with full corporate creative teams in finalising bag designs.
- Yes, please send us the logo(s), artworks and/or photographs (see artwork specifications) and a description of layout and we will design it accordingly for digital review via e-mail.
• Can you design from a mood board, or pictures from other brands and designs?
- Yes we can, all supplied images and examples will give us a good idea of the design signature you are looking for and we will endeavour to create a bespoke design for your brand.
- We also recommend and make use of royalty free image sourcing platforms such as: www.shutterstock.com in sourcing of stock photography and design to assist in the creation of your design.
• We have existing or previous bags (plastic/paper/etc) but do not have the design on file – can you copy this design?
- Yes we can, for sizing accuracy and colour we do suggest you send us a physical sample (we can also work of photograph but this may be less accurate).
• We have seasonal, holiday or launch campaigns – can you come up with designs around our campaigns?
- Absolutely – please provide us with as much detail as possible, we will also peruse all your current content (online) develop a signature style in-line with your brand and perhaps have a phone call or meeting to fine-tune the design direction. We will then present you with a variety of design options tailored to your brand.
• We have our own designer(s) / Agency – can you send us layout templates?
- Absolutely – our team has all templates ready to send.
- We can also assist in reviewing and finetuning any supplied artwork on Virobag templates.
• We have specific corporate colours – can you print those?
- Yes we recommend using the Pantone Colour Process Guide if corporate colours are to be maintained.
- Note that we print using CMYK values which cover 80% of the pantone library but not all colours can be matched, and will be matched as close as possible.
- We can also colour match to physical colour samples and swatches
| Artwork file types accepted: | Not accepted: | Please note for vector artwork: | Please note for raster artwork: | Pantone: | Templates: | Approval: |
| Adobe full suite incl. .AI / .EPS / .PDF / .PS as well as .JPG / .TIFF | Coreldraw / Freehand | Please imbed or expand all fonts / expand all shapes. | Minimum 150DPI at true size (300 DPI recommended for smaller/compressed files) | If applicable please select Pantone Coated only. | We provide all templates as PDF files at true size. | All provided artwork will be reviewed and a layout approval form will be sent for written artwork approval. |
All approvals must be checked for design, size, quantity, colours and spelling. Once written approval is received, Virobag (PTY) Ltd. will not be responsible for and discrepancies thereafter. (see full T&C) .
All orders received will follow the following manufacturing steps:
• Bag type(s) are selected & pricelist is quoted and accepted
• 48-72 hours ex factory : Design Dept receives supplied artwork or commences creation of artwork.
| Artwork is sent to client for review and is edited until digital approval and written approval confirmation.
• 48-72 hours ex factory : Sample Dept.| Sample is made on request (*master sample) and sent to client for final approval.
• Production Dept.| Printing of order o Manufacturing of order
• Quality & Packaging Dept.| Quality control & packaging of order
• Dispatch Dept.| Collection by client or o Local or international shipment on service requested by client.
Order lead times are volume dependent, however for example an order of 2000 bags will take 4-5 working days from receipt of official order and approval on sample.
We have an extremely efficient supply chain that can deliver to warehouses, stores, or any destination address provided. Just name the location and we will quote you upfront.
A dedicated Virobag representative will manage your order from start to finish and communicate the status to you.
We have developed 7 different bag styles to suit many end-uses and all of our bags have designed to Spec to be the most economical and waste-sensitive.
We can assist with custom-sized bags however this does come at a high MOQ and will be dependant on the type of bag you are needing. We are more than happy to assist but note that going the custom size route will not always be more economical due to wastage and set-up fees.
Please feel free to enquire with our sales team here.
We can definitely assist with samples and your first batch of sampling is free of charge. Please fill our the enquiry form on our bags page and a Sales representative will be in-touch
Virobags are made from recycled plastic waste bottles which is not done in house, we form part of a supply chain in which the waste collecting and recycling gets done by a local Supplier.
Despite being recyclable , there are no local facilities that will re-recycle the printed RPET fabric into new products as this technology is not yet available locally.
The fabric can however be up-cycled to create dog beds and blankets and as the fabric is durable this can be re-made into other reusable products.
We have a social conscious too! Virobag assist in numerous projects yearly and sets a budget to helping respective causes, by donating bags to those in need.
We are set on sustainability throughout our business.
Should you have an enquiry please get in-touch here and we can discuss further.
ENVIRONMENTAL
All RPET bags are made from South African post-consumer waste plastic (PET) bottles.
*The fresh produce netted bags are made from new polyester fabric due to the wash fastness required and the availability. Added to this the polyester mesh is high durable and unlike cotton, they are resistant to water and mildew.
This term describes material made using recycled PET plastic.
PET or “polyethylene terephthalate” is used as a raw material for making packaging materials such as bottles and containers for packaging a wide range of food products and other consumer goods. Examples include soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, detergents, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products and edible oils. PET is one of the most common consumer plastics used in South Africa.
In South Africa and for Virobag our most common source of PET is from beverage bottles.
RPET stands for recycled polyethylene terephthalate, or recycled PET. By taking post consumer waste, and converting it into a valuable resource, recycled PET far surpasses virgin PET bottles in the sustainability race.
As a result of the above, the use of RPET plastic is on the rise. It also helps that it has a low carbon footprint (saving raw materials by requiring less energy), has high recyclability (reducing waste), and strong environmental credentials.
The magic of recycled polymers, is that they instinctively replace virgin polymers.In doing so, energy, greenhouse gas emissions and cost gain an added advantage.
• RPET leads to a greater conservation of raw materials and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 65%
• Transport costs are diminished, as the packaging is lightweight and more compact. Less weight, less fuel.
• It takes 27 pounds of glass versus 2 pounds of plastic to deliver 1,000 ounces of a beverage.
• rPEt plastic means a reduction in breakage and damaged goods compared to glass packaging.
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR VIROBAG
• You can wash your recycled reusable bags with warm soapy water, and simply hang on the washing line after. Make sure to scrub the inner and outer seams where dirt particles can collect.
• Make sure your bags are completely dry before using them. Otherwise a musty smell may happen.
• Don't store unwashed bages in your car, as the sunlight beaming down on it may increase bacteria production.
A Virobag reusable bag can last up to four years. This is taking into consideration how frequently it is used, and what items are carried within it.