Information on Brag Bags
Brag bags are popular accessories that enable owners to proudly display photographs without needing to carry a small photo album. Photos or images are displayed on the outside of the bag through plastic pouches or transferred to the fabric of the bag. Brag bags can be used for family photos, company promotion or to show off recent events.
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Significance
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Brag bags are totes or purses that are designed to display photographs. These bags can be personalized according to the owner's preferences. Brag bags can be created as a craft project using an existing purse or tote, or purchased from specialty retailers. Brag books were popular among family members such as grandparents to show off family photos (such as those of grandchildren). Brag books expand from this concept to apply creative displays on the outside of totes.
Types
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Brag bags can be customized to incorporate favorite photographs directly on the outside of the bag or contain clear pockets to hold pictures and allow owners to update the arrangements as desired. Brag bags can contain as many or as few pictures as the surface of the purse or tote will permit. Some purses or totes can display a large photo on one side; other designs can display collage arrangement of photos. Brag bags are generally composed of fabric for the sides (such as canvas).
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Features
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Customized brag bags can have a favorite photograph enlarged and transferred to the canvas. Alternatively, a collage of photos can also be transferred to the fabric. Customized brag bags can include screened or embroidered personalized elements, such as "Grandma's Brag Bag." Stock brag bag designs include plastic pockets stitched onto the canvas so that photos can be inserted and protected from normal wear. Protective pouches are usually in standard sizes such as 4" x 6" or 3" x 5" to accommodate standard prints. Stock brag bags with plastic pockets may be available in other materials such as vinyl.
Crafts
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Brag bags can be an economical and personalized craft project. Materials are available from craft and fabric stores such as plain canvas totes, fabric transfer paper (such as iron-on inkjet paper) and plastic pouches. A brag bag can be customized according to the skills of the crafter using supplies such as fabric markers, embroidery or sewing decorations. A brag bag can be designed by experienced quilters using fabric squares and spraying a protective coating on the outside of the bag for durability. A personalized brag bag is a unique and functional gift for birthdays and holidays.
Potential
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A brag bag is not limited to displaying family photos; it can be used to promote a club, company or design. Pockets can be updated to display recent events or hold business cards. Instead of transferring a favorite photo to the canvas, a company logo and information can be used for the image. An image of a painting or artwork can be similarly transferred to the fabric of a bag.
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