Bags are one of the most requested — and most misunderstood — promotional products we quote. Everyone asks for “totes,” but the right bag for a trade show handout is rarely the right bag for an employee gift or a school fundraiser. Picking the wrong style means a pile of giveaways that never leave the box. Here’s how to choose between the main types and get one that actually gets carried.
Here’s what we walk customers through when they come to us for branded totes, drawstring packs, and cooler bags.
The Short Version
Match the bag style to how it’ll be used: canvas totes for everyday carry and retail-style gifts, drawstring cinch packs for events, schools, and gyms, and insulated cooler bags for anything food- or drink-related. Pick a size and fabric that fits your budget and your logo, keep the decoration simple so it reproduces cleanly, and order with enough lead time for the busy fall and holiday season. Get those right and the bag keeps working long after the event is over.
Types of Bags to Consider
“Bag” covers a lot of different products, and each one fits a different moment:
- Canvas and non-woven totes — the classic carry-all; great for retail, conferences, and client gifts, and roomy enough to double as a swag bag for other items.
- Drawstring cinch packs — lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to wear on the back; a go-to for schools, camps, gyms, and 5K-style events.
- Insulated cooler bags — soft-sided coolers for lunches, tailgates, and summer giveaways; they keep food and drinks cold and tend to get reused for years.
- Duffel and backpack styles — a step up for staff gear, team travel, or a premium client gift.
- Drawstring produce or wine bags — smaller specialty bags for restaurants, wineries, and gift packaging.
Material and Size
What the bag is made of drives both the feel and the price. Cotton canvas feels substantial and upscale, ideal for a tote people will actually reuse at the grocery store or the office. Non-woven polypropylene is the budget workhorse — lightweight and perfect for ordering in bulk for a trade show or giveaway. Insulated linings with a foil or foam interior are what turn a basic tote into a cooler bag. Size matters too: a compact cinch pack costs less in bulk, while a full-size tote or duffel reads as a bigger gift. Spend on canvas for a gift people keep; go non-woven for mass reach at an event.
How Bags Get Decorated
Bags print differently than apparel because the surface is often textured, seamed, or curved around a gusset. Screen printing is the standard for canvas totes and non-woven bags — crisp, durable, and cost-effective at quantity. Heat transfer works better on smaller panels or multi-color designs that would need too many screens. Keep logos simple and away from seams, zippers, or handles, since those spots can distort a design. A clean one- or two-color logo almost always reproduces best on a bag’s flat front panel.
Matching the Bag to Your Goal
The right pick depends on what you’re trying to do. For event giveaways, a drawstring cinch pack or non-woven tote keeps cost per unit low while still passing the “will people actually use it?” test from our guide on promotional products that actually get used. For client and employee gifts, a canvas tote or insulated cooler bag feels more considered — an easy addition to our corporate holiday gifts lineup, and a natural carrier for a custom water bottle or tumbler if you’re building a gift bundle. If bags are something you order often, they’re a good candidate to keep stocked in a company store so your team can grab one anytime.
Ordering: Minimums and Getting Started
Bags usually carry minimum order quantities that vary by style, and popular colors can run low heading into the busy fall and holiday season, so it pays to plan ahead rather than order the week of your event. To get an accurate quote quickly, come with your quantity, your logo file, and a rough idea of the bag style and color you want; our rundown of what information you need before requesting a quote applies just as well to bags as it does to apparel.
Final Thoughts
A branded bag only earns its cost if someone actually carries it. Pick the style that matches how it’ll be used, choose a material and size that fit your budget, keep the decoration simple, and order ahead of your deadline. Do that, and your logo ends up slung over a shoulder or packed for the weekend instead of sitting in a closet.
Thinking about branded totes, drawstring packs, or cooler bags? Get in touch and we’ll help you pick the right bag and get it decorated to look its best.
