Promotional Bags and Totes: Choosing the Right Style for Your Brand
Posted by High Quality Promo on 1st Feb 2026
If there is one promotional product category that delivers unbeatable brand visibility, it is bags. A branded bag is carried everywhere — to work, to the shops, to the gym, on holiday — putting your logo in front of hundreds or even thousands of people over its lifetime.
But with so many styles available, choosing the right bag for your brand can be overwhelming. Should you go with a classic cotton tote or a premium laptop backpack? A drawstring bag or a cooler bag? The answer depends on your audience, budget, and marketing objectives.
At High Quality Promo, bags are one of our most popular categories. This guide will help you navigate the options and choose the perfect promotional bag for your brand in 2026.
Why Promotional Bags Are So Effective
The statistics make a compelling case for branded bags:
- Bags generate an average of 3,300+ impressions over their lifespan
- Bags are kept for an average of 11 months — longer than most promotional products
- 50% of consumers are more likely to do business with a company that gave them a promotional bag
- Large print area — Bags offer more branding real estate than almost any other promotional product
A bag is not just a giveaway — it is a mobile billboard for your brand.
Bag Styles: A Complete Comparison
Cotton and Canvas Tote Bags
The classic tote bag is the most popular promotional bag in Australia — and for good reason.
- Best for: Shopping, conferences, retail, everyday use
- Materials: Cotton, organic cotton, canvas, recycled cotton
- Price range: $2.00–$10.00 per unit
- Branding: Screen printing, digital printing, heat transfer
- Pros: Affordable, eco-friendly, large print area, universally useful
- Cons: Limited structure, not waterproof
With single-use plastic bags banned across Australia, cotton totes have become a daily essential. A branded tote used for grocery shopping is seen by dozens of people every week.
Non-Woven Bags
Non-woven polypropylene bags are a budget-friendly alternative to cotton totes.
- Best for: Events, trade shows, retail, mass giveaways
- Materials: Non-woven polypropylene (often recyclable)
- Price range: $1.00–$5.00 per unit
- Branding: Screen printing, full-colour digital printing
- Pros: Very affordable, lightweight, available in many colours, water-resistant
- Cons: Less premium feel than cotton, shorter lifespan
Drawstring Backpacks
Drawstring bags (also called gym sacks or cinch bags) are hugely popular for events and youth-oriented campaigns.
- Best for: Sporting events, festivals, schools, gyms, youth marketing
- Materials: Polyester, nylon, non-woven
- Price range: $2.00–$8.00 per unit
- Branding: Screen printing, digital printing
- Pros: Affordable, lightweight, hands-free, popular with younger demographics
- Cons: Limited capacity, not suitable for heavy items
Backpacks
A branded backpack is a premium promotional product that recipients use daily for months or years.
- Best for: Employee gifts, corporate onboarding, premium giveaways, tech industry
- Materials: Polyester, nylon, recycled materials
- Price range: $15.00–$60.00 per unit
- Branding: Embroidery, screen printing, heat transfer, patch application
- Pros: High perceived value, daily use, excellent brand visibility, long lifespan
- Cons: Higher cost, bulkier to store and ship
Laptop Bags and Sleeves
With most professionals carrying laptops, branded laptop bags and sleeves are highly practical gifts.
- Best for: Corporate clients, tech companies, employee onboarding, B2B gifting
- Materials: Neoprene, polyester, vegan leather
- Price range: $10.00–$40.00 per unit
- Branding: Embroidery, screen printing, debossing
- Pros: Professional appearance, daily use, protects valuable equipment
- Cons: Niche use case, higher cost
Cooler Bags
Insulated cooler bags are perfect for the Australian lifestyle — beach days, BBQs, picnics, and sporting events.
- Best for: Food and beverage brands, outdoor events, summer campaigns, hospitality
- Materials: Polyester with insulated lining
- Price range: $5.00–$25.00 per unit
- Branding: Screen printing, heat transfer
- Pros: Highly practical, seasonal appeal, great for outdoor Aussie lifestyle
- Cons: Seasonal usage, bulkier
Duffel and Sports Bags
Branded duffel bags are popular for sporting clubs, gym promotions, and travel-related campaigns.
- Best for: Sports clubs, fitness brands, travel companies, employee gifts
- Materials: Polyester, nylon, canvas
- Price range: $10.00–$35.00 per unit
- Branding: Screen printing, embroidery
- Pros: Large branding area, practical for active lifestyles
- Cons: Bulky, higher cost
Wine and Bottle Bags
Branded wine bags and bottle carriers add a touch of class to corporate gifting.
- Best for: Wineries, hospitality, corporate Christmas gifts, events
- Materials: Non-woven, jute, cotton, felt
- Price range: $2.00–$10.00 per unit
- Branding: Screen printing, digital printing
- Pros: Elegant presentation, reusable, affordable
- Cons: Niche use
Choosing the Right Bag: Key Questions
Ask yourself these questions to narrow down your options:
- Who is your audience? — Corporate professionals want laptop bags and backpacks. Festival-goers want drawstring bags. Shoppers want totes.
- What is your budget? — Totes and non-woven bags suit mass giveaways. Backpacks and duffels are for premium campaigns.
- How will it be used? — Daily commute? Weekend shopping? Sports? Travel? Match the bag to the use case.
- What message do you want to send? — Eco-friendly cotton says sustainability. A premium backpack says quality. A cooler bag says fun and lifestyle.
- How large is your branding? — Bags offer generous print areas, but the shape and material affect what is possible.
Branding Tips for Bags
- Keep it clean — A simple, well-placed logo is more effective than a cluttered design
- Consider contrast — Ensure your logo colour stands out against the bag colour
- Use both sides — On tote bags, print your logo on one side and your website or tagline on the other
- Add a QR code — Direct people to your website or a special landing page
- Think about placement — Centre-front is standard, but consider subtle placement on straps or inner lining for premium bags
Sustainability Considerations
In 2026, sustainable bag options are more available than ever:
- Organic cotton — Grown without synthetic chemicals
- Recycled PET — Bags made from recycled plastic bottles
- Jute and hemp — Natural, biodegradable fibres
- Recycled cotton — Made from textile waste
Choosing a sustainable bag option reinforces your environmental credentials every time the bag is used.
Find Your Perfect Promotional Bag
From budget-friendly non-woven totes to premium branded backpacks, the right bag can become one of the most visible and effective promotional products in your marketing toolkit.
Browse our complete range of promotional bags and totes, or contact the High Quality Promo team for expert advice on choosing the perfect bag for your brand, audience, and budget in 2026.
