How to Design Reusable Bags Your Customers Will Love

Custom reusable bags can be a great marketing tool for your business. With reusable bags gaining in popularity as more people turn to them to reduce waste and live more sustainably, handing out your own custom branded bags is kind of a no-brainer. Customers will carry these bags to the grocery store or farmers market, department store, library, or anywhere else they need a reusable bag. And everyone who sees your logo on that bag will get some exposure to your brand and be a little more aware of it going forward.

Of course, none of that will happen if your customers shove your reusable bags in a drawer at home and never use them again. You need to design reusable bags that customers will love and use over and over again. A stylish design, durable fabric, and beautiful artwork can make your company’s reusable bags a real hit with customers.

Get Stylish

If you want your customers to carry your bag with them everywhere — and you do — you need to choose a stylish design that they’ll want to show off. A simple square tote may not be enough to appeal to customers who want to look cute and fashionable while running errands. Check out some of the stylish reusable bags on the market today to get an idea of what bag styles and designs your customers might prefer.

Of course, you should also think about how your customers will be using their reusable bags. Do you cater to busy working parents or professionals juggling packed schedules? They might prefer a foldable bag that can be easily stowed in a handbag, pocket, or car console. Totes with multiple pockets are perfect for customers with busy lifestyles or those who want to use their bags for shopping. Backpack-style bags are perfect for young parents; professionals commuting to work via bike, bus or train; or students who might not have a hand free to carry a tote. Don’t be afraid to choose multiple bag styles to meet the needs of different customers, especially if you cater to a large consumer base.

Choose Quality Fabric

Fabric choice can be one of the most important elements of designing your own custom reusable bags. Choose the highest quality fabric that you can afford for your bags, so that they last a long time — the more use customers get out of your bags, the more they’ll be spreading your brand messaging around their communities. 

And, depending on how elite your brand is, customers may want branded bags made out of high-quality fabrics, like canvas or unbleached cotton. Totes made with cotton or canvas will far outlast those made with nonwoven fabric made from recycled materials. Again, consider how you want the bags to be used when choosing fabric — durable woven fabrics can stand up to heavier use, but nonwoven fabrics may be best saved for quick trips to the store.

Make the Most of Bag Art

Bag art and fabric colors offer you the opportunity to make your custom reusable bags into conversation pieces that will catch the attention of anyone who sees them and generate buzz regarding your brand. Start by choosing complementary colors for your bag fabric and art. You don’t necessarily have to break out a color wheel, but it’s not a bad idea, especially if you’re going for a really creative look. At the very least, make sure that there’s sufficient contrast between your fabric color and your logo color so that viewers can easily see the logo and messaging. And if you’re going for particularly colorful bag art, you should use a neutral color, like beige or off-white, for your bag fabric.

Include your primary logo on your reusable bag, but it doesn’t have to be the primary bag art. You can infuse some humor into your bag art if you’re the kind of company that invites levity. Use your bag art to reflect your company values or to showcase new product offerings. Choose a bag style that’s big enough for customers to carry that product advertised thereon, and ideally, some additional purchases, too.

Reusable bags are a great promotional tool — they can really get your business name and logo out to a much wider audience in your community, especially if you design a bag that customers will reach for every time they need to run an errand. Design your reusable bags carefully, and you may soon find that customers are shopping with you just to get their hands on one of your trendy bags.