Custom Bag Guide: A Bespoke Design Guide
Materials, Printing Methods & Style Guide
Bags are always best selling promotional products because of their practicality and versatility. They’re ideal for employee gifting, business travel, sports sectors and education industries; performing like a walking billboard for your brand. Because of their versatility in daily use, there’s also versatility in their style and branding options. Our brief guide explores the different styles available beyond the standard off-the-shelf range, showing you how far you can customise your branded bag to suit your business style.
Types of Custom Bags You Can Create
Vortex Backpack
Perfect for: • Daily commutes • Employee appreciation • Client gifting • Work and school • Your online store
Toiletry Bags
Perfect for: • Travel Overnight stays • Beauty industries • Airline industries • Client & employee gifting
Sling Bag
Perfect for: • Daily errands • Employee merch stores • Unisex crossbody solutions • Organising essentials • Urban adventures
Cable Organiser
Perfect for: • Tech industries • Employee & client gifting • Your online store • Event marketing & gifting • Travel
Standard Backpack
Perfect for: • Work and school • Event giveaways • Employee appreciation • Cost-effective solutions • Just the basics
Laptop Sleeve
Perfect for: • Client & employee gifting • Tech industries • Your online store • Event gifting & marketing • Everyday commute
Everyday Duffle
Perfect for: • Gym trips and equipment • Overnight stays • Weekend trips • Sports and active industries • Travel
Basic Tote
Perfect for: • Event giveaways • Grocery trips & errands • Employee & client gifting • Cost effective solutions • Entertainment industries
Double Pouch Wristlet
Perfect for: • Client & employee gifting • Travel • Daily errands • Event gifting & marketing • Active lifestyles
Hip Pack
Perfect for: • Day hikes • Daily errands • Gym trips • Essentials and a bit extra • Event marketing and gifting
Cooler Backpack
Perfect for: • Tech industries • Employee & client gifting • Your online store • Event marketing & gifting • Travel
Sprint Cinch Pro
Perfect for: • Gym trips • Day hikes and excursions • Lightweight clothing and gear • Event gifting
• Employee appreciation
We understand creating a product from the ground up can be overwhelming; therefore, these styles are offered as our core range to provide you with a starting silhouette, but you can create something from scratch should you wish. We also offer simplified and more cost-effective versions where you choose the element colours and apply your branding to specific bag models.
Bag printing methods
There’s a wide variety of branding methods available for your bespoke bags; each has its own durability and aesthetic. Whether you’re looking to create something subtle with a deboss or long-lasting with embroidery, we can customise your bags to elevate your logo but also suit your brand image. Methods can be combined without limitations to choosing one option.
Deboss
Woven Tag
Screenprint
Heat Transfer
Embroidered Patch
Jacquard Webbing
Stitched
Digital Print
Embroidery
Metal Logo
Dye Sublimation
Faux Leather Patch
Rubber Patch
Woven Patch
Materials Available
We have over 36 different types of materials available to create your personalised bag. Each material has its own durability and physical feel. We can offer recycled or sustainable materials, should you be looking to create a bag with stronger eco-credentials.
Below are the top 5 core materials used. You can get in touch to find the full list:
600D
Ripstock
Twill
Vinylon
Cotton Canvas
Buckles Available
Centre Bar Metal Belt Buckle
Side-Release Buckle
Cobra Buckle
X Side-Release Buckle
Plastic Top-Release Swivel Buckle
Thin Side-Release Buckle
Straps and Adjusters Available
Chest Strap
Detachable Chest Strap
Metal Tall Oval Grommet
Heat Transfer Welded Trim
Webbing Adjuster
Cord Cinch
Elastic Round Webbing
Metal Grommet
Plastic Webbing Tensioner
Cord Lock
Metal Magnetic Snap
Plastic Adjuster
Flat Round Plastic Stopper
Cord Lock and Cinch
Grab Handle
Metal Snap
Round Bubble Plastic Stopper
The customisation options don’t end there either, you can choose from a range of zippers, clips and hooks to style your bespoke bag. We also offer over 50 Pantone colours to pick from for your trim colours, whether you want to mix and match your bag colours or create a classic, clean style.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to creating a custom keepsake bag. Let us help you bring your visions to life and design a piece of merchandise people will want to wear.
What factors should you consider when creating a bespoke bag?
How long does it take to produce custom bags?
General Timeline and Leadtime
• Mockups: 3-5 days
• Sample Production: 15-20 days
• Production: 45 days
• Boat Freight Shipping: 45 days
• Air Freight: 5-10 days
Approximate lead time is a total of 90-120 days.
What is the minimum order for custom bags?
The standard minimum order quantity varies per style/model of bag. Most start at 250 and 500 while completely bespoke bags start from 1000 pieces.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Whether you have an upcoming marketing campaign, event, or promotional drive, Sycal is here to help.
With decades of experience and success at your disposal, speak to our team of branded merchandise experts today.
Want to see the benefits of promotional merchandise? Click here to find out more.
What Are Custom Branded Bags?
Custom-branded bags are one of the most effective ways to promote your business, elevate your packaging, and create a lasting impression with customers. Whether you’re a retail brand, event organiser, or corporate business, investing in custom bags with your logo helps turn an everyday must-have into a powerful marketing tool. From compact sling pouches to travel toiletry bags, our customisation allows you to align every detail with your brand identity.
Custom vs Bespoke Bags: What’s the Difference?
While the term “custom bags” covers a wide range of options, bespoke bags take things a step further by offering fully tailored design, materials, and finishes. Businesses looking for a more premium or unique result often choose bespoke solutions to create products that stands out in competitive markets. Whether it’s specific dimensions, unique printing techniques, or eco-friendly materials, bespoke branded bags give you complete control over the final product.
Benefits of Custom Printed Bags for Your Business
Choosing custom or bespoke bags isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a strategic branding decision. High-quality custom printed bags increase brand visibility, encourage reuse, and enhance the overall customer experience. For businesses in retail, hospitality, or events, branded bags act as mobile advertising, helping you reach new audiences beyond the point of sale. With growing demand for sustainable packaging, many companies are also opting for eco-friendly custom bags to reflect their environmental values.
How to Design the Right Custom Bag for Your Brand
We hope this guide has helped walk you through everything you need to know about designing custom branded bags, from choosing the right materials and styles to visualising printing methods. Whether you’re exploring custom tote bags, employee gift options, or premium giveaways, this guide was designed to help you make informed decisions and create a bag that delivers real impact.
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MERCHANDISE FULFILMENT AND DROPSHIPPING SERVICES
Organising storage facilities and fulfilment channels shouldn’t need to be a time-consuming or expensive task.
At Sycal, we provide our customers with the opportunity to extend their corporate branding initiatives to ensure their logo and messaging is in front of consumers as efficiently as possible.
We help brands build innovative ranges of promotional products, and host them on bespoke web stores and online fulfilment platforms. With free product storage and distribution options, these online portals help staff, clients, and consumers source your products quickly and conveniently.
Fully integrated for e-commerce, easy user navigation and secure checkouts, getting your products in the hands of your customers has never been easier.
