How to Choose the Perfect Custom Tote Bag

Displaying custom tote bags and other promotional products for giveaways.

Ideal for carrying groceries or collecting marketing material at a trade show, a simple custom tote bag holds immense branding power.

While environmental awareness has pushed tote bags into the spotlight as an eco-friendly replacement to plastic shopping bags, custom tote bags serve many purposes beyond the grocery store. Personalized tote bags are commonly provided as giveaways by exhibitors at trade shows, used to hold swag at corporate events, to create new employee welcome packages, as shopping bags at high end retailers, and are even used for party and wedding favours.

Printing your logo on a reusable tote bag is an inexpensive way to boost your company’s brand recognition. With so many style, size and colour options, it’s easy to get carried away with custom tote bags!

When printing your logo on a customized tote bags, there are three main considerations to finding the right bag for your needs.

1 - Material Choice

Entripy offers custom tote bags in two main materials: cotton and non-woven polypropylene. The best material for your custom tote bag will depend on your budget and the bag’s intended use.

Cotton tote bags are made from a mid-weight 100% natural material that’s heavier than a t-shirt. Cotton is extremely durable and is an eco-friendly choice, but it does cost more. Cotton is also washable material, making it a great choice as a shopping tote that’s sure to get re-used many times. Because of its perceived higher value, cotton tote bags are a popular choice for high-end retailers and special event favours.

Non-woven polypropylene is made from molten plastic, recycled from plastic bottles and is processed into thread-like fibers that are bonded together, rather than woven. The durability of this material will depend on the gram count. A 100-gram non-woven polypropylene custom tote bag will be stronger than a 70-gram bag.

Cotton custom tote bag for storing larger items.

Polypropylene costs less than cotton, but because it’s made partially from recycled plastic bottles, is still an eco-friendly material. This material is still a durable choice for repeated use. Polypropylene bags come in a wider variety of colours than cotton tote bags, making them a popular choice for free giveaways at conventions and trade shows. Laminated polypropylene bags have a water-resistant and wipeable surface, making them a great option for a custom tote bag that will stand the test of time.

2 - Size

The size of bag you select will come down to how you want to use it. Are you using your custom tote bags to hand out marketing material at a trade show? Do you want recipients to store your custom tote bag in their car trunk and re-use it time and time again for grocery shopping?

A small tote bag such as the Mini Non-Woven Tote Bag makes gifting easy. Ideal for holding small gift items, mini custom tote bags are commonly used for wedding or party favours or at corporate functions to hold exit gifts.

A mid-size tote bag such as this conveniently named Mid-Size Tote is a great option for small gifts, brochures, or small items such as a notebook and pen. A top choice for trade shows, the Non-Woven Convention Tote is ideal for carrying marketing brochures, magazines and conference swag items.

Black jumbo custom tote bag with measurements of length and width.

A large tote such as this Jumbo Non-Woven Tote Bag or the Large Cotton Canvas Tote feature enough space to hold your groceries and are sure to be re-used time and time again.

3 – Features

Because you’re printing your logo on this bag, you want it to have the right features to add value to recipients.

Some tote bags have shoulder straps for carrying while others such as the Small Cut-Out Handle Tote Bag feature a cut-out handle for carrying small gifts. Then there’s the Diamond Fashion Personalized Tote provide two ways to carry – a cut out handle or a self-material shoulder strap.

Some tote bags provide convenient storage options, such as the Folding Tote Bag that folds into a small pouch when not in use.

Then there are custom wine totes, Mini totes for gift bags, travel totes for taking to the beach and fashion totes that can double as laptop bags. Whatever your custom tote bag needs, Entripy has the right personalized tote bag to suit your needs.