The Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Purchasing custom made travel bags

If you're searching for the perfect customized bags for your business, you're probably finding it tricky knowing where to start. With Merchology you can get just about any type of bag, luggage item, or travel accessory from all the most popular luggage brands decorated with your company logo, all in one spot. That's just one way we seek to make it easy for you to buy custom bags. Follow along with this guide for even more help on choosing the right bags for your application.

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Popular Custom Bag Brands

At Merchology we're all about your logo + brands you love. That's why we take pride in offering industry-leading brands for every type of bag. Backpacks from OGIO and The North Face. Suitcases from Samsonite and TUMI. Sports bags from Under Armour and Nike. You get the picture, right?

Custom Bag Styles

Custom luggage and promotional bags come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes to fit the intended application. There's bags intended for every day use like backpacks, computer bags, and duffel bags. There's bags designed for promotional purposes like totes and drawstring bags. Then there's bags made specifically for travel like suitcases, carry-on bags, and travel bags. Whatever you're looking for, you'll find something that works perfectly for your business here.

Custom Backpacks

Backpacks are far and away our most popular custom logo bag style with our customers. Sure, part of this is because we carry all the most popular backpack brands like OGIO, The North Face, Patagonia, Under Armour, and Nike. However, part of this is also due to the fact that backpacks are quickly replacing briefcases as the go-to choice for everyday use for business and education alike.

Custom Duffel Bags

Duffel bags are truly one of the most versatile bags out there. They make excellent gym bags or sports team bags when you add a team logo. They also make great promotional bags when you add a corporate logo. Plus, you can fit more into these duffels that just about any other every day bag.

Promotional Totes

Tote bags make ideal promotional bags because they're affordable, easy to decorate, and can hold all your other promotional products that you might get or giveaway at a tradeshow or conference. They're also frequently made out of sustainable materials like hemp and they make great reusable grocery bags too!

Custom Suitcases & Luggage

Custom luggage and personalized suitcases make great corporate gifts for your whole team, especially around the holidays. They also make your suitcase instantly more recognizable from the hundreds of other suitcases when it's on the baggage carousel. Why not show your staff appreciation with some sweet new luggage? 

Custom Carry-On Bags

When you're traveling for business you almost always are working within a strict time frame and having to wait for your bags after a flight can be an unnecessary delay that you simply don't have time for. That's where these personalized carry-on bags come into play. They're designed to fit into airline regulations for carry on bag sizes and your embroidered logo will make them stand out from all the other bags in the overhead compartment.

Custom Laptop Bags & Briefcases

If you're traveling with just your laptop and other essentials then this might be the bag style for you. Custom briefcases and messenger bags almost always feature extra padding and weather resistance to keep your computer safe and dry. Just the way you need it.

Custom Golf Bags

Did you think that custom bags and luggage were all work and no play? That's not the case! Adding your custom embroidered company logo to a personalized golf bag immediately makes it a top-tier corporate gift or rewards incentive prize for your sales team. You can even add individually personalized names!

Personalized Cooler Bags

Another bag for the good times. Personalized coolers and insulated bags are great for the company BBQ, a day at the lake, or anywhere else where you want to keep some beverages cold. Smaller size cooler bags are also perfect as an every day lunch bag for work too!

Custom Drawstrings & Cinch Sacks

Custom drawstring backpacks and cinch sacks make great promotional bags for two main reasons. First, they're super affordable, especially when you order in bulk. Secondly, they typically feature a large and uninterrupted space for your custom printed or embroidered company logo!

Personalized Toiletry Bags & Cosmetic Bags

When you're customizing your luggage and travel bags, why stop with large bags? With Merchology you can personalize every part of your business trip down to fine details like luggage tags or in this case, toiletry kits, makeup bags, and cosmetic kits.

Custom Tool Bags

Need a bag that can take a beating? We've got you covered on heavy duty work bags and custom tool kits and tool belts from top workwear brands like Carhartt and THULE. You deserve a bag that works as hard as you do, your embroidered logo is just the cherry on top.

Custom Purses

Personalized purses, clutches, and handbags are also hot corporate gifts and incentive rewards prizes. Choose from top fashion bag brands like kate spade and Kenneth Cole and then add a personalized metal tag with a laser engraved company logo or name.

Accessories for Your Personalized Bags

Travel accessories work great as standalone corporate gifts or as gifts paired with a customized bag. That can be something as obvious as a personalized luggage tag for a suitcase or something as unique as custom luggage scale.

Custom Luggage Tags

Custom luggage tags are a cheap alternative to ordering fully customized suitcases, but they also look great in addition to a personalized suitcase as well. If you're ordering the same custom suitcase for a large group that's traveling together don't forget to order these to avoid confusion!

Personalized Passport Wallets

Passports are precious cargo when you're traveling internationally. Protecting them with a custom passport wallet with your debossed or engraved company logo is always a smart idea.

Custom Logo Travel Scales

There's nothing worse than arriving at the airport only to get hit with an extra fee for having a bag that's too heavy. These custom luggage scales will ensure that you never have to deal with that headache again.

Custom Packing Cubes

Organizing your suitcase with custom packing cubes both protects your items and makes unpacking more efficient. Another added benefit of using packing cubes is that they help you to not forget anything when you're packing!

What are Some Applications for Custom Logo Bags & Luggage?

The easy answer to this question is getting your stuff from one place to another. However, there are a few ways that you can use custom logo bags and luggage to grow your business too.

Corporate Gifts

Gifting custom logo luggage, backpacks, and gifts is always a good idea. You don't have to spoil the gift by tracking down everyone's size and everyone could use a new backpack or suitcase, especially around the holidays when everyone is traveling.

Recruiting Events

Cheaper bags like totes and cinch sacks make great promotional items for college recruiting events! Much of your target audience is likely still in school, so backpacks are also ideal for these types of events.

Trade Shows

Same concept applies with trade shows as recruiting events. Promotional bags are also great vessels for all of the other custom swag you'll inevitably receive at a trade show or conference.

Business Travel

If you are planning on taking a large group of employees on a business trip or if you have staff that travels for work regularly then providing custom luggage is almost more of a common courtesy than a luxury. You don't want to just assume that your staff has the right equipment for airline travel!

New Employee Welcome Gifts

Are you noticing a theme here? Customized backpacks, luggage, and bags make great corporate gifts for just about any occasion, new hire onboarding gifts are just another example of that. Make your newest team member feel at home with a personalized backpack, tote, or duffel bag.

How to Customize Bags & Luggage

Our product decoration experts here at Merchology are capable of adding your corporate logo or custom design to products using more than ten different customization techniques. Some of these techniques don't make sense for bags and luggage, but here's a look at the most popular methods that do.

Embroidery

Our most popular decoration method for customizing bags and luggage, embroidery works great because it's an extremely durable customization technique.

Screen Printing

Screen printing is probably the most well-known customization method in the world. We use it for customizing bags less that we do for clothing, but it still is an affordable decoration method for custom bags, especially cinch sacks.

Heat Transfer

Heat transfer printing is typically used in place of screen printing when you want to achieve a design with more colors or greater detail. It's essentially an advanced and eco-friendly way of adding a permanent decal to your custom bags.

Next Steps

When it comes to promotional apparel, sometimes you have to think outside the box... in fact, sometimes you have to think so far outside the box that you wind up thinking inside the bag.

  The value of a custom bag      

Whether it's backpacks, messenger bags, or even tote bags, there's a higher perceived value around custom bags than most other promotional products.

Part of this appeal comes from the fact that many bags feel more expensive than custom t-shirts or custom hoodies. However, on a pragmatic level, bags tend to be longer-lasting than most kinds of apparel (just about the only thing that might last as long are custom jackets ).

(And, by the way, if you're looking to buy screen-printed drawstring or tote bags, you'll find them under custom bags . If you're looking for upscale embroidered bag, check our embroidery section .)

 Types of custom bags      

While there are many kinds of bags, only a handful are popular for customization. These include:

• Backpacks
• Messenger Bags
• Duffel Bags
• Tote Bags
• Drawstring Bags

Backpacks, messenger bags, and duffel bags tend to be the more expensive side. As such, they're more of a premium item (meaning that they're less likely to be used for giveaways).

Meanwhile, tote bags and drawstring bags are far more affordable -- in fact, they're a LOT cheaper than most people assume (often costing about as much as a custom t-shirt) -- which makes them a great choice for giveaways. )

So, which type of bag is best for your uses? Here's an overview of each type of bag and how they might be used.

  Custom backpacks      

Even among custom bags, backpacks are a higher-end product -- basically a premium item among premium items. However, that added cost comes with a LOT of added value.

Custom backpacks are durable and offer a lot of storage space (including specialized storage space in the form of pockets). And, for certain activities (including school and camping), they're absurdly practical. The odds of a backpack being used are far higher than that of custom t-shirts. On top of that, backpacks are much more likely to be saved (and cherished) than t-shirts.

(Note: For a less-expensive option, you might consider drawstring bags .)

  Occasions for using a custom backpack      

-Custom school backpacks    

Regardless of age, children generally need backpacks for school and what better option than a custom backpack with the school's name or logo?

For public schools, you might consider selling custom backpacks as part of a fundraiser (taking the orders before buying the backpacks). However, if you run a private school, the cost of a backpack could be baked into the tuition.

Are you interested in learning more about custom made travel bags? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

-Custom retreat backpacks    

We all need a break sometimes, an opportunity to refresh and/or reconnect. If you organize men's retreats, church retreats, wellness retreats, etc, custom backpacks can be a great way of commemorating the occasion and then keeping these events in attendees' minds.

-Custom camping backpacks    

Whether summer camps, Bible camps, music camps, or any other kind of camp, attendees often need backpacks and a branded backpack just makes sense.

And, if you regularly hike or camp with a group, custom backpacks can be neat for showing an extra bit of camaraderie.

  Custom messenger bags

Remember briefcases? Once an omnipresent item in offices, briefcases have increasingly fallen out of favor ever since professional settings started to become more casual. Nowadays, you might be more likely to see a messenger bag than a briefcase.

In terms of convenience, a messenger bag often makes more sense than a briefcase. After all, you're getting the same amount of storage space while trading sturdy handles for a sturdy strap, which makes carrying your essentials a lot easier.

If you're outfitting a sales force or other employees in a public-facing role, custom messenger bags emblazoned with your company logo will help you project a more consistent brand image.

What can you fit in a messenger bag? A laptop, for starters. Papers. Pens. Any number of items you (or employees) may need in a professional setting.

Pictured above is Port Authority's BG305 Messenger Bag (available in 4 colors), a reasonably-priced option that can be used to outfit a sales force without breaking the bank. Another cost saving option, Port Authority's B304 Messenger Bag (available in 4 colors) is even more affordable, but doesn't offer nearly as much specialized storage space. (Namely, the BG304 messenger bag just offers a large, zippered main compartment and then an open pouch on the outside.)

For a higher-end option, there's the more expensive OGIO Corporate City Corp Messenger Bag (available in 3 colors ). It features more pockets, pouches, and specialized compartments (including a zippered exterior pocket on each side). More importantly, the padding is thicker, offering better protection for a laptop.

  Custom duffel bags (a.k.a. custom duffle bags)      

Where messenger bags are geared for professional settings (although they're a great casual choice, too), duffel bags fall on the personal side. They're a great option for overnight travel or a trip to the gym.

"Is it duffel or duffle?"    

Although both spellings are correct, you're more likely to see "duffel" used in American English and "duffle" is more common when it comes to British and Australian English.

Best uses for a customized duffel bag?    

• Sports teams (whether they're pro, semi-pro, or youth/kids/school)
• Gyms
• Team-building exercises
• Anything related to athletics or fitness

  Custom tote bags      

Unlike some of the other options seen so far, custom tote bags are extremely budget-friendly -- in fact, they can be cheaper than custom t-shirts!

Custom tote bags are also extremely practical. Most use a strong enough material that they can carry heavy items and, in many cases, are even good with sharp objects. Whether totes are taken shopping or to the beach, they're super-popular bags that are sure to be seen.

What are some of the best uses for promotional tote bags?

-Conferences and trade shows (ie, custom swag bags)    

Conference attendees need something to carry all of their conference swag and what better way to make an impression than with a custom tote bag? Your logo tote bags will be on display as attendees walk from booth to booth (or between attending events) and, as a result, lure potential customers right to your booth.

-Formal celebrations (ie, custom gift bags)    

Custom totes are a great added gift for wedding parties, baby showers, and other special events where guests need something to help bring home their party favors and other goodies. And a guest might hold onto a quality custom tote bag much longer than anything contained within that bag.

A tote is effectively a gift that can hold gifts. How cool is that?

-Luxury businesses (ie, custom goodie bags)    

If you own a spa, hair salon, or other business providing a service seen as a luxury, custom totes can be a great way to either promote your business (as a low-cost freebie that other people will see) or to bundle products for sale (ie, a gift bag). Keep in mind when ordering in bulk, tote bags can be   very inexpensive... while still feeling like a nicer promotional item.

-After-the-fact usage (ie, custom reusable bags)    

Considering that totes are reusable bags, they tend to get used time and time again (which is super-eco-friendly, if you're interested in saving the planet). While you might focus on the initial usage for your custom tote bag, keep in mind the repeated use is where you'll likely get the most attention for your brand, cause, or event.

And, with state and local governments increasingly banning single-use plastic bags (ten states have a ban so far, and many smaller municipalities have rules ), totes and other reusable bags are only going to become more relevant.

(Looking for custom tote bags FAQs? Be sure sure to check out our full guide for buying custom tote bags! And see more custom tote bags by checking out our full collection for Printed Tote Bag Collection or Embroidered Bags Collection.)

  Custom drawstring bags (a.k.a. custom cinch bags)      

Drawstring bags tend to be made using thin, flexible materials giving you a large, adjustable storage space that's cinched at the top with a drawstring. Although some models also contain a zippered pocket, many just have one large storage space.

"How does a custom drawstring bag stack up against a custom backpack?"    

While there's some similarity between drawstring bags and backpacks -- since both are carried on a person's back with the help of shoulder straps -- the difference in quality is immediately apparent.

Backpacks tend to use a thicker, sturdier material (meaning there's less give, but more protection). They have many dedicated storage spaces, most of which can be sealed with a zipper. A backpack's shoulder straps tend to be thicker and padded, which makes carrying heavy objects more comfortable (where drawstring cords can "bite" your shoulders).

However, drawstring bags are much cheaper (for example, the BPNWBP -- available in 10 colors -- can be even less expensive than totes).

When are customized drawstring bags useful?    

Custom drawstring bags work well as low-end promotional items for a giveaway. They make the most sense when it's something related to athletic activities (like a gym, marathon, or sports team) or for a younger crowd (ie, children). ( And, if you have any drawstring bag questions, be sure to check out our full guide.)

  5 tips for choosing the perfect custom bag

So, which custom bags are right for you? Here are 5 things to think about.

#1 - The customized bag's purpose    

90% of the time, the best bag will be decided by how you plan on using it.

• Giveaway at a conference? You want customized tote bags.
• Giveaway at an athletic event? Usually drawstring bags.
• Outfitting a sales team? Messenger bags give give you a more professional look.
• Using them for a spa or resort? Usually tote bags.
• A nice end of the year giveaway to a youth soccer team? Well... that's a bit trickier. Drawstring bags will work, but so will duffel bags and backpacks.

#2 - How big of a budget do you have for custom merchandise?    

Custom bags can be expensive... or, if you're going with custom tote bags, they be cheap. Depending on your budget, your best option might be determined by how much you're either willing or able to spend.

However, if you're reselling the bags, cost is less of an issue because your expenses can be passed along to customers. (And a higher-end bag might help you sell those bags for a higher price.)

The other consideration is going to be the number of recipients. While Bolt Printing has a minimum order quantity (meaning you need to order at least 12 bags), there's no maximum -- meaning you can order any number of bags. Need 200 bags? We have you covered. A thousand? Awesome. Two-thousand? It's getting to be a bit much, but cool. Three-thousand? Okay, this hypothetical is getting big. However, whatever you need, we'll provide. (But, if you need thousands of bags, we probably won't be able to offer next-day turnaround times!)

Best of all, you stand to save a LOT of money on bulk orders -- the cost per-item for 144+ branded tote bags is almost HALF the price they'd be if you were sticking with the minimum quantity. And, whether ordering a few or a lot, the BP7LHT ( seen above and discussed earlier) is a great option that can stretch your marketing dollars.

#3 - Screen printing vs embroidery    

Most promotional bags can be embroidered, however not every bag is good for printing.

The benefit to screen printing is you can get a very large decoration on a bag at a low cost, which makes it great for custom tote bags and drawstring bags. (In fact, printed tote bags can be ridiculously cheap -- making them a better choice than custom tees for small businesses looking to build their name.)

Embroidery, on the other hand, gives you the choice of lots of colors (at no extra cost), but -- since the cost of embroidery is driven by stitch count -- larger designs are more expensive.

Why not just print everything? Because printing works best on a flat, rigid surface, something not offered by a lot of bags -- on top of the customization area often being on the small side.

In short, the type of bag may determine the customization available. However, when there's a choice, printing will work best if you want a large design. Beyond that, it's a matter of preference where one method might look better than the other depending on the design and bag.

#4 - Product color (and how it impacts your custom design)    

What color bags will you choose? Depending on the color, your design may either pop or get lost. (And, as seen above with the Liberty Bags , some bags are available in a LOT of colors -- this particular style has 15 options! )

Likewise, certain bag colors might be a better fit for your organization than others -- and could appeal more to certain customers. (For example, pink drawstring bags might appeal to a sorority... but most fraternity members likely won't use them.)

#5 - Longevity (ie, you'll get more use from a durable custom canvas bag)    

Depending on the quality of a bag, it can last a very, very long time. And that's a good thing, if you're trying to build awareness for your business or cause. However, if you don't need to keep your name out there five or ten years down the road, how long a bag lasts may be less of a consideration.

 Keep in mind that logo tote bags can be seen by a lot of people when running errands (at grocery stores, malls, or even farmers markets). It's also worth noting that cotton canvas tote bags are environmentally friendly -- using them to carry groceries reduces plastic waste.

  Whatever type of bag (or customized apparel) you need, Bolt Printing has you covered      

The cat's out of the bag! When it comes to custom bags, Bolt has everything you need. (We even offer reusable grocery bags & cooler/lunch bags !)

Contact us to discuss your requirements of luggage manufacturer. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.