Tote bags are one of the most commonly used and appreciated accessories that can be used to deliver a convenient way to carry items and at the same time help market something, whether it is a business, an event, or a cause. As marketed by many companies, promotional totes effectively serve as mobile advertisements for clients as the logo, message, or imagery of the company is brought around by the customer every time they use the tote. It is recommended to order a tote bag with special logo to be used during conferences, fundraising events, business fairs and other occasions.
Promotional totes are easy to promote since they are versatile and can be used by a wide range of individuals for their various needs.
The application of custom tote bags for marketing and branding has potentials and benefits for many businesses and nonprofits. Some key benefits include:
- Repeated Exposure – A tote with an imprint that is prominent and catchy is exposed to many people as customers use it to cart their belongings around. The frequent brand exposure also assists in raising awareness of and recognition for your company.
- Utility – A tote bag will be used for almost any occasion, from carrying books or files in school/office, groceries, beach items, packing for trips, etc. This is because it is important and versatile that many people carry them and thus are exposed to more people.
- Longevity – tote bags may take time to wear out, which will ensure that your printed logo and message will be seen both in the short run and the long run when the tote bag is being used in day to day activities.
- Flexibility – The use of apparel promotions such as t-shirts and polos to a certain extent may end up in the wardrobe since they may only be used occasionally while tote bags can be used each and every day since they are portable. This mobility takes marketing beyond your immediate domain.
- Useful, attractive and practical tote bags are valuable for the recipients as they are more likely to keep and continue using the tote bags and be reminded of the company’s brand as they use them repeatedly.
It all starts with choosing your custom tote bag.
Several aspects have to be considered when designing and developing your promotional tote bag for your business or nonprofit organization. Consider aspects such as:
- Size – Depending of the fabric used the standard tote sizes available are 12” x 12” to 18” x 20” although tote bags for bulkier items are also available. Customers will use the tote for something and, therefore, it is important to select the right size of the tote that will be used by customers.
- Fabric – The polypropylene or canvas fabric is preferred as a material since it is light and can easily be carried around. Other firms use more costly fabrics such as cotton, leather, recycled material or thick canvas among other products.
- Handles – Tote should be long handled to enable one hang over the shoulder. Some have removable/adjustable straps. Carrying handles may be rope, leather or stiff canvas, it is easier if the container is made of metal.
- Pockets & Closures – Additional features such as internal /external pockets, zippers, and Velcro compartments add practicality. While they may serve to boost output, they can also raise production expenses.
- Imprint Area – increase the size of the imprint area to also ensure that logos, messages, telephone numbers, events, etc. can be printed boldly on the tote bags Many tote bags have the imprint both on the front and on the back.
- Imprint Method – This method is best done through screen printing and embroidery to produce imprints that are bold and in bright colors. Other choices available are dye sublimation or debossing/heat stamping.
Customizing Totes for Events
Using custom totes for conferences, company picnics, fundraisers and any other occasion they become more than just the ordinary need, they become a souvenir. In this case, instead of providing attendees with items they are likely to throw away, provide them with items that are of use, with the event logo imprinted on them so that they will be able to retain them for quite some time.
Great events for ordering custom tote bags include:Great events for ordering custom tote bags include:
- Trade Shows – Trade show tote bags are effective promotional items because people take them with them throughout the trade show to accumulate all the business cards, brochures, samples and other flyers they receive. Stall No, Company name, Slogan etc should be imprinted on the bag.
- Conferences – Where the meeting spans across a few days, make available bags that attendees can carry their materials or any products bought at the meeting back home. Specify the name, the date, and the location of the conference and major sponsors.
- Fundraising & Charity Events – It is also fun to have branded bags to look forward to during fundraisers. ” They are quite useful as follow up gifts to thank your sponsors at various levels of sponsorship. Other ideal occasions include launch parties, or any appreciation events you might be involved with.
- Company Picnics & Employee Appreciation Events – In company picnic events, the bags can be used for the obstacles course apparatus, sack races, collection of items to be taken home during awards/giveaways, food and drinks for outings, beach items, and souvenirs for reminders of the event.
Making Custom Bags Affordable
It is important to note that while ordering totes with screen printing or embroidery in most cases come at a higher per item cost than when purchasing plain generic bags in large quantities. Here are tips for keeping custom bags affordable:Here are tips for keeping custom bags affordable:
- All products should be directly associated with volume discounts and the minimum order quantities should be set at 100-250 bags. This is useful when have lots of stock for a large event or having inventory distributed over a number of sponsorships.
- Partner with vendors or local business to help fund bags in exchange for the logo to be placed in the bag or on the packaging.
- Some of the most affordable options to use for creating the bags are the simple clear plastic ones or canvas material. It is advisable to reserve better quality bags for special occasions and, therefore, reward the company’s top performers.
- The product should be kept basic by avoiding additional features or add-ons that will add to the cost of producing the bag.
Custom Tote Bags – How to Start a Good Impression
Such items can easily become worthless trinkets that are hardly ever used or used only for a short time before being thrown away. However, custom tote bags are as handy and have practical utility designs that people adore. To avoid boring your clients and making your event memorable, why not give out great totes at your next event to your clients, while ensuring that your brand exposure is done through the useful branding takeaways customers will be proud to have for years. Consider having custom totes made with catchy slogans for your next conference, fundraiser, corporate gathering or your exhibition stand. They are an effective and inexpensive means to raise popularity and awareness among the wider public!
