What is a calico bag.
A calico bag is a tote made of calico, plain-woven cotton left unbleached in its natural cream colour. That is the meaning in Sydney or London; in New York, calico means cotton printed with small flowers. This page explains the fabric, how it compares with canvas, and what a printed calico bag involves.
The short answerA calico bag is made of calico, a plain-woven cotton fabric left unbleached, so it keeps a natural cream colour. In Australia, New Zealand and the UK, calico means this plain cotton. In the US the word means cotton printed with small flowers.
Where the name comes from
The cloth was first woven in Calicut, a port in what is now Kerala in India, from the 11th century. It took its name from the city.
Calico and canvas
Both are plain-woven cotton. Calico is lighter and less coarse. Canvas is thicker and heavier, so it holds its shape and carries more.
On a bag, calico suits light loads and giveaways, and canvas suits groceries and bags meant to last for years. Our cotton bags run from 100 to 320gsm, so a light calico and a heavy canvas both sit in the range.
Calico bags printed with a logo
Calico takes screen print and embroidery. Its cream colour warms light inks, so dark logos read clearest.
Our calico and cotton bags are printed with your logo from 1,000 units, about three weeks after you approve a printed sample. Sizes start at 25 × 30 cm flat, and every bag can be made to your size.
Calico bags are allowed in every Australian state, including Western Australia, South Australia and the ACT, which ban plastic-laminated paper shopping bags. They travel duty-free into Australia under ChAFTA.
Questions
Is calico the same as cotton?
Calico is a cotton fabric: plain-woven and unbleached. All calico is cotton, but most cotton fabric is not calico.
What is the difference between calico and canvas?
Both are plain-woven cotton. Calico is lighter and less coarse; canvas is thicker and heavier.
Why is it called calico?
After Calicut, the port in Kerala, India, where the cloth was woven from the 11th century.
Can I order calico bags with my logo?
Yes, from 1,000 units, screen printed or embroidered, with a free digital mockup first.
Written by the Bag Bureau production team. Last updated October 2026.