Custom Tote Bags for Brands, Shops and Events
By The Velocity Wear Team
Custom tote bags get about nineteen hundred UK searches a month at very low difficulty. Independent bookshops, cafés, clothing brands, museums, conferences and creators all use them. A tote is cheap to produce, useful, and seen by everyone on the bus when your customer carries it.
Why totes work
- People reuse them for shopping, work and the gym.
- They're a large, flat canvas for design.
- They're low cost as merch or a gift with purchase.
- They reinforce a brand's personality.
Fabric weight matters
Thin totes feel disposable and tear. A heavier cotton or canvas tote feels like a proper bag and gets reused far more. If a tote is merch you're selling, go heavier.
Design for carrying
Totes are seen from a distance, on shoulders, in crowds. Bold, simple designs work. Illustrations and witty lines sell well for shops and cafés. Keep the design within the flat area, away from seams and handles.
Handles
Long handles fit over a shoulder, even with a coat on. Short handles are hand-carry only and get used less. Most people prefer long.
Uses by business
- Bookshops and gift shops: sell as merch or a paid bag.
- Cafés and bakeries: loyalty rewards and merch.
- Clothing brands: gift with purchase.
- Conferences: attendee bags.
- Creators: low-cost merch alongside tees.
Pricing
Our totes start from $9 each at 20 pieces with a standard print. Check pounds on the calculator. As a gift with purchase above a spend threshold, totes often lift average order value.
Environmental claims
Reusable doesn't automatically mean eco-friendly. A tote only beats single-use bags if it's reused many times. Under the CMA's Green Claims Code, avoid vague green claims. Make a durable tote people want to reuse, and let that speak for itself.
Mistakes to avoid
- 1Thin fabric that feels disposable.
- 2Short handles.
- 3Designs that run into seams.
- 4Claiming totes are eco-friendly without evidence.
Quick checklist
- Heavier fabric?
- Long handles?
- Bold, simple design?
- Merch, gift or event bag?
- Claims accurate?
Design ideas that sell
- Illustrated local landmarks for gift shops and museums.
- Witty book quotes for bookshops.
- Minimal wordmarks for fashion brands.
- Coffee puns for cafés.
- Event artwork for festivals and conferences.
Totes as packaging
Some boutiques use a branded tote instead of a paper bag for larger purchases. It feels premium, customers reuse it, and it advertises the shop every time it's carried. Factor the cost into pricing or offer it as a paid upgrade.
Selling totes online
Totes ship flat and light, which makes them easy online add-ons. Bundle with a tee or a book, or offer free tote with orders over a threshold. Photograph totes on a shoulder in everyday settings, not just flat.
Colours
Natural cotton is the classic tote colour and suits most designs. Black hides dirt and looks sleek. Brighter colours can suit playful brands but show wear sooner.
Charity plastic bag alternatives
Schools, charities and community groups sell totes as reusable shopping bags and fundraisers. A local illustration or a message about the cause sells well. Keep the price accessible and be clear about what proceeds support.
Print placement on totes
Keep designs centred with a margin from seams and handles. One side printed is usually enough; a second side adds cost.
Get started
Minimum 20 per design, 10 to 15 working days from artwork approval. Tell us the fabric weight and handle length you want when you ask for a quote, since options vary. Mock it up in the design studio or pair it with custom t-shirts.
