Custom Drawstring Bag Sizes: Small vs Standard vs Large Which Should You Choose?

The best size is the smallest drawstring bag that fits your “must-carry” item list most buyers should choose a standard size for adults and a small size for kids.

Size decisions aren’t about “bigger is better” they’re about fit, comfort, print readability, and whether seams/corners survive the weight you’ll put inside.

Drawstring Bag

Still learning the basics? Use the buyer guide:

Quick comparison table

Choose SMALL (youth) if…

• Your audience is kids/teens or you need a bag that won’t hang too low.
• The kit is light: a few small items, snacks, flyers, or a thin tee.
• You want less wasted fabric (bag doesn’t look floppy/oversized on children).
• You’re printing simple, bold branding that doesn’t need a huge canvas.

Reality check: small bags disappoint when you expect them to hold shoes, hoodies, or tall bottles.

Choose STANDARD (adult) if…

• You want the safest “fits most” option for mixed audiences.
• The kit is typical event weight: shirt, brochures, light bottle, small giveaways.
• You care about balanced branding: enough front panel for readability without massive wrinkling.
• You want fewer complaints about “it doesn’t fit” and fewer durability issues from overfilling.

Choose LARGE (oversized) if…

• Your must-carry list includes bulk: hoodie, towel, shoes, thicker notebook stacks, multiple items.
• You need a bag that can double as a swag bag (more like a lightweight gear sack).
• Your design goal is high visibility and you want a larger imprint canvas.

Large-size warning: oversized bags increase the chance that people overload them. If you go large, prioritize heavier fabric and reinforced corners so the cord pull doesn’t tear seams.

The 8 decision variables that actually change the right size

Use these like a checklist if 3+ push you one direction, choose that size.

1. Audience body size (kids vs adults vs mixed)
2. Must-carry item (shirt vs hoodie vs shoes vs laptop if laptop, consider backpacks)
3. Bottle height (tall bottles force larger bags or awkward bulge)
4. Weight expectation (light handouts vs repeat use with gear)
5. Wear time (5-minute walk vs all-day carry; cords dig in when heavy)
6. Brand readability needs (big logo vs small detail)
7. Distribution method (grab-and-go favors standardization; pre-packed kits can vary sizes)
8. Durability tolerance (one-day event vs months of reuse)

If the kit is heavy or needs organization, compare to backpacks: 

Best use cases (mapped to the right size)

• Elementary school events / kids’ camps → Small
• 5K packet pickup / fairs / street teams → Standard
• Trade show handouts (brochures + light swag) → Standard
• Gym welcome kit with shoes/towel → Large (or backpack if structured carry needed)
• Employee kit with lunch container + bottle → Large, or consider lunch bags:
• Sports team light practice kit → Standard; bulky gear → duffel: 
• Retail-style giveaway with easy access → tote instead:

Branding & imprint considerations by size (avoid unreadable prints)

Small

• Keep art simple: big icon, short brand name.
• Avoid long URLs/taglines they’ll shrink too much.

Standard

• Best balance for logo + short line of text.
• Use high contrast; don’t rely on thin lines.

Large

• Resist the urge to fill the whole panel.
• Large solid ink coverage can highlight wrinkles use bold shapes with breathing room.

Operational factors (packing, distribution, and returns)

• Standardizing on one size speeds distribution and reduces “can I swap?” interactions.
• Mixed audiences: choose Standard and keep a smaller subset of Small if the audience includes many kids.
• Large bags take more room per unit; plan staging space at events (especially booths).

For events that need signage/booth infrastructure, browse:

FAQs

What size should I pick if I don’t know what people will carry?

Choose standard size because it fits most adults and covers the widest range of light-to-medium kits.

Do small drawstring bags work for adults?

They can, but they feel undersized and often don’t fit typical “event kit” items comfortably.

When is large a mistake?

Large is a mistake when the material is thin and the kit is heavy it increases seam stress and tearing risk.

How do I decide based on the main item?

Pick size by the biggest must-carry item (hoodie/shoes push large; shirt/brochures fit standard; kid kits fit small).

Will my logo look better on large?

Only if you keep it bold and don’t over-ink bigger panels wrinkle more and can make detailed prints look messy.

If I need pockets, should I size up?

No choose a backpack instead of sizing up when organization is the problem:

What’s best for trade shows?

Standard is usually best for fast booth handouts: 

What if my kit is food-oriented (lunch + snacks)?

A lunch bag may outperform a drawstring bag for insulation/structure: