Apparel & Bags Buyer’s Guide: Sizes, Printing, Materials, and Best Use Cases

Choose promotional apparel or bags by starting with the recipient, intended use, carrying or wearing requirements, material, branding area, quantity, and distribution plan not just the product's appearance or price.

Apparel and bags are promotional products designed to put a brand, organization, event, or message into everyday use. The category includes wearable products such as shirts, caps, beanies, bucket hats, jackets, and visors, as well as carrying products such as backpacks, tote bags, duffel bags, drawstring bags, fanny packs, lunch bags, messenger bags, and paper bags.

Apparel & Bags

Shop Apparel & Bags

Explore the main Apparel & Bags category and select the product type that matches your audience and campaign.

Bags & Carrying Products

• Custom Backpacks
• Custom Drawstring Bags
• Custom Duffel Bags
• Custom Fanny Packs
• Custom Lunch Bags
• Custom Messenger Bags
• Custom Paper Bags
• Custom Tote Bags

Wearable Apparel

• Baseball Caps
• Custom Beanies
• Custom Bucket Hats
• Custom Jackets
• Custom Shirts
• Custom Visors

Quick Picks: Which Apparel or Bag Is Best for Your Use Case?

Start with the job the product needs to perform.

• School and student programs: Backpacks, shirts, baseball caps
• Trade shows: Tote bags, backpacks, messenger bags
• Sports teams: Duffel bags, shirts, caps, drawstring bags
• Employee welcome kits: Backpacks, shirts, jackets
• Outdoor events: Fanny packs, visors, caps, drawstring bags
• Travel programs: Backpacks, duffel bags, messenger bags
• Food and lunch programs: Lunch bags
• Retail packaging: Custom paper bags
• Casual promotional giveaways: Tote bags, drawstring bags, caps
• Cold-weather campaigns: Beanies, jackets
• Warm-weather campaigns: Visors, baseball caps, bucket hats

The key is to match the product to the way the recipient will use it after receiving it.

Apparel & Bags Product Types and Variants

How to Choose the Right Apparel or Bag

Step 1: Identify the Recipient

Determine who will receive the product.

Common buyer audiences include:

• Businesses
• Employees
• Students
• Athletes
• Customers
• Event attendees
• Volunteers
• Community members
• Travelers
• Retail shoppers

A product that works for employees may not be the right fit for young students or sports participants.

Step 2: Define the Main Job

Ask what the product needs to accomplish.

Is it primarily for:

• Carrying?
• Wearing?
• Storing?
• Distributing materials?
• Protecting personal items?
• Supporting an event?
• Creating team identity?
• Providing an everyday promotional item?

This narrows the category quickly.

Step 3: Determine the Required Size

For bags, estimate the contents before choosing the product.

For apparel, determine the expected size range before ordering.

Do not select a product based only on its empty appearance.

Step 4: Consider the Activity

Think about what recipients will do while wearing or carrying the product.

For example:

• Walking → hands-free options can be useful
• Sports → lightweight and activity-friendly products
• Travel → storage and portability become important
• Trade shows → easy access and distribution matter
• Outdoor events → weather and activity exposure matter
• School → daily utility and organization matter

Step 5: Select the Material

Material affects the product's feel, appearance, durability, weight, and intended use.

Consider:

• Indoor vs. outdoor use
• Expected frequency of use
• Load requirements
• Weather exposure
• Cleaning requirements
• Desired appearance
• Budget

Do not assume that a more expensive material automatically makes a product more appropriate. Match the material to the job.

Step 6: Review Branding Requirements

Determine where your logo or artwork needs to appear.

Consider:

• Front vs. side placement
• Visible vs. concealed areas
• Available imprint size
• Artwork complexity
• Product color
• Decoration method

Step 7: Plan Quantity and Distribution

Before ordering, calculate the actual number of recipients.

Then account for:

• Additional participants
• Replacement units
• Late registrations
• Size changes
• Damaged units
• Event-day requirements

Step 8: Consider Post-Event Use

Ask one final question:

Will the recipient still have a reason to use this product after the event?

Products connected to everyday activities can continue exposing the brand after the original campaign ends.

Decision Table: Product Selection by Use Case

Apparel vs. Bags: Start With the Activity

The biggest distinction in this category is whether the product is primarily worn or carried.

Choose Apparel When:

• The goal is team identity.
• Participants need coordinated clothing.
• The campaign is built around visible brand representation.
• The product will be worn at an event.
• Seasonal clothing is relevant.

Choose Bags When:

• Recipients need to transport items.
• The campaign includes materials or merchandise.
• The product should serve a practical carrying function.
• Participants will travel or commute.
• The bag can become part of everyday use.

Some campaigns benefit from both.

For example, a sports organization could provide a branded shirt for team identity and a duffel bag for equipment.

Bag Size and Capacity

Capacity should be based on actual contents.

Small Loads

For a few lightweight essentials, consider:

• Fanny packs
• Drawstring bags
• Small totes

Moderate Loads

For documents, supplies, apparel, or personal items, consider:

• Backpacks
• Messenger bags
• Larger totes

Larger Loads

For sports equipment, clothing, or travel gear, consider:

• Duffel bags
• Larger backpacks

Specialized Loads

For specific items, use a product designed around that purpose.

Examples include:

• Lunch bags for meals
• Paper bags for retail packaging
• Messenger bags for document-focused carrying

The important measurement is not just the bag's advertised size. Consider the shape, opening, compartments, and contents together.

Apparel Sizing

Apparel requires a different planning process from bags.

Before ordering, identify:

1. Expected recipients
2. Available size range
3. Expected distribution by size
4. Whether recipients can select sizes
5. Whether replacements will be needed

For an event where sizes are collected in advance, ordering can be more precise.

For an open public giveaway, size planning is less predictable, so additional inventory may be needed.

Do not treat every apparel order as one-size-fits-all.

Materials and Durability

Material selection should follow the expected environment and frequency of use.

Lightweight Materials

Useful when:

• Distribution volume is high
• Recipients carry light contents
• Portability matters
• The product is primarily event-focused

More Structured Materials

Useful when:

• The product will carry heavier or more varied contents
• Organization matters
• Repeated use is expected
• A more substantial feel is desired

Apparel Materials

For shirts, jackets, caps, beanies, and other wearable products, consider:

• Season
• Activity
• Comfort
• Expected frequency of wear
• Care requirements
• Desired appearance

The exact material specification should always be checked on the individual product page.

Branding and Printing Tips

Your artwork needs to match the product surface.

Keep Logos Legible

Avoid overly detailed artwork when the available imprint area is small.

Consider Viewing Distance

A logo viewed on a hat from several feet away needs to remain recognizable.

Use Product Color Strategically

The product color should provide enough contrast for the artwork to remain readable.

Check Decoration Specifications

Before final artwork approval, verify:

• Imprint location
• Maximum imprint dimensions
• Print method
• Number of colors
• Artwork format
• Product-specific restrictions

Think About Placement

For apparel, visible areas such as the front, chest, sleeve, or other available decoration zones may create different branding effects.

For bags, the most visible exterior panel is often more valuable than a hidden or frequently covered area.

Always follow the decoration specifications for the exact product.

Quantity Planning

Use a simple baseline:

Required quantity = Intended recipients + reserve

The appropriate reserve depends on the campaign.

Small Controlled Group

For an employee or team program, quantity can usually be calculated closely from the confirmed participant count.

Large Public Event

For an event with uncertain attendance, calculate the intended distribution quantity rather than automatically matching total attendance.

Apparel

For apparel, reserve planning should also consider:

• Size distribution
• Late registrations
• Exchanges
• Damaged pieces

Bags

For bags, reserve units can be useful for:

• New participants
• Replacements
• Unexpected distribution
• Future additions

Storage, Transport, and Distribution

The product should work operationally as well as visually.

Before ordering, ask:

• How much storage space is available?
• Will products arrive before the event?
• How will they reach the venue?
• Will they be pre-packed?
• Who will distribute them?
• Are sizes being sorted?
• Will recipients collect them individually?

Apparel

Sort apparel by size before the event when possible.

Bags

Pre-filling bags can speed up distribution, but test the finished package before the event.

Paper Bags

Keep paper bags protected from moisture and excessive compression during storage and transport.

Operational planning can prevent an otherwise successful promotional campaign from becoming difficult on event day.

Good, Better, Best Selection

Good: Match the Product

Choose a product that performs the basic job.

Better: Match the Experience

Consider:

• Comfort
• Capacity
• Access
• Activity
• Material
• Branding
• Distribution

Best: Match the Full Campaign

Consider the entire lifecycle:

Audience → Product → Size → Material → Branding → Quantity → Storage → Distribution → Post-event use

This approach helps avoid selecting a product that looks good but performs poorly in actual use.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Choosing by Appearance Alone

A product may look attractive but fail to match the recipient's needs.

Fix: Start with the intended use.

2. Ignoring Capacity

A bag that is too small creates frustration.

Fix: List the expected contents before choosing.

3. Ordering Apparel Without Size Planning

A total quantity alone is not enough.

Fix: Build a size distribution plan.

4. Ignoring the Imprint Area

Artwork may not fit the selected decoration location.

Fix: Confirm imprint specifications before finalizing artwork.

5. Choosing the Wrong Seasonal Product

Beanies and jackets may not fit warm-weather campaigns, while visors and lightweight caps may be less appropriate for cold-weather programs.

Fix: Match the product to the season and environment.

6. Forgetting Distribution

Large quantities require storage, sorting, and transportation planning.

Fix: Plan the complete distribution process before ordering.

7. Overloading Lightweight Bags

A lightweight product is not automatically suitable for heavy contents.

Fix: Match construction and capacity to the expected load.

8. Using Complex Artwork on Small Imprint Areas

Small details can become difficult to reproduce clearly.

Fix: Simplify artwork when the available imprint area is limited.

9. Ordering Too Late

Production, artwork approval, shipping, and sorting all require time.

Fix: Build a timeline with enough margin before the event or campaign.

10. Ignoring Post-Event Use

A product may have limited value once the event ends.

Fix: Choose products that remain relevant to the recipient's normal routine when long-term visibility matters.

FAQs

What are the most popular promotional apparel and bags?

Popular options vary by audience and use case. Common choices include shirts, caps, backpacks, tote bags, drawstring bags, and other practical carrying products.

How do I choose between a promotional shirt and a promotional bag?

Choose a shirt when wearable visibility and team identity are the primary goals. Choose a bag when recipients need to carry items or when practical everyday utility is more important.

What bag should I use for a trade show?

Tote bags, backpacks, and messenger bags can all work. Base the decision on the amount of material attendees need to carry, access requirements, and expected post-event use.

What promotional bag is best for school programs?

Backpacks can work well for everyday school use. Drawstring bags may be useful for lighter activity-focused programs.

How many promotional products should I order?

Start with the intended number of recipients and add a reasonable reserve. Apparel also requires size-based planning.

How should I choose apparel sizes?

Estimate the recipient size distribution using available registration or participant information. For uncertain public events, allow additional inventory for unexpected demand.

What should I consider when choosing promotional bag material?

Consider expected load, frequency of use, environment, appearance, portability, and cleaning or care requirements.

How large should my logo be?

The logo should fit the available imprint area while remaining legible at the expected viewing distance. Always follow the product's decoration specifications.

Are promotional bags useful after an event?

They can be, especially when the bag fits an everyday activity such as commuting, school, travel, shopping, or fitness.

Can I combine apparel and bags in one campaign?

Yes. Combining products can create a more complete promotional kit. For example, a team may use shirts for group identity and duffel bags for equipment.

Explore Apparel & Bags Categories

Bags

• Custom Backpacks
• Custom Drawstring Bags
• Custom Duffel Bags
• Custom Fanny Packs
• Custom Lunch Bags
• Custom Messenger Bags
• Custom Paper Bags
• Custom Tote Bags

Apparel

• Baseball Caps
• Custom Beanies
• Custom Bucket Hats
• Custom Jackets
• Custom Shirts
• Custom Visors