Custom Tote Bags vs Custom Drawstring Bags: Which Should You Print?

For most promotions where you want repeat use and a large, readable logo, _Custom Tote Bags_ are the better choice; choose drawstring bags when you need lightweight, hands-free carry for active or quick-grab events.

Start with the two category pages (then use the rules below to decide):

• Totes: Custom Tote Bags
• Drawstrings: Custom Drawstring Bags

Quick comparison (fast decision table)

Choose Custom Tote Bags if…

• You want bigger imprint impact: a typical tote front panel can fit a larger mark (often roughly 8–10" wide artwork zones on many styles, product-dependent).
• Your audience will carry mixed or boxy items (brochures + swag, retail purchases, daily essentials).
• You expect repeat use for commuting, shopping, office days, or campus life.
• Your artwork relies on clean readability (logo + short line of text) more than “pattern coverage.”

Best match: Custom Tote Bags

Choose Custom Drawstring Bags if…

• You need hands-free movement (walks, runs, stadium entry lines, volunteer days).
• The load is light to moderate (shirt, towel, shoes, small kit)—not boxy or heavy.
• You’re distributing at high volume and want an easy pack-and-handout flow.
• Your logo can stay readable even if the fabric gathers—meaning bold shapes, limited small text.

Best match: Custom Drawstring Bags

Best use cases (what fits each product better)

• Trade show swag bag (brochures + extras): Tote (flat front + better for papers)
• Retail pop-up shopping bag: Tote (shopping behavior match)
• Employee onboarding kit: Tote (daily-use carry)
• Campus orientation / student giveaways: Tote or Drawstring
• tote if it must carry folders/notebooks
• drawstring if it’s meant for gym/shoes
• Fun run / fitness event / team practice: Drawstring (hands-free)
• Beach day / outdoor activities: Drawstring for light kits, Tote for bulkier carry
• Food-specific carry: skip both and use Custom Lunch Bags

Best-for pages (Layer C, publish next):

• Best Custom Tote Bags for Trade Shows and Conferences
• Best Custom Tote Bags for Retail Shopping and Pop-Ups

Branding & imprint considerations (what keeps logos readable)

Tote bags: what works

• Large centered logo with minimal text reads best while walking.
• Keep critical elements off seams, pockets, and gusset folds.
• If the tote fabric is textured, increase line thickness and simplify detail.

Drawstring bags: what works

• Treat the top area like a “no-go zone” where fabric gathers; keep artwork lower and centered when possible.
• Use bold shapes; avoid tiny text because fabric ripples reduce micro-contrast.
• Designs that rely on perfect flatness (fine outlines, micro type) often underperform visually.

If you want a deeper print-method rules page:

• Custom Tote Bags Buyer’s Guide: Sizes, Printing, Materials, and Best Use Cases
• Tote Bag Printing Methods: Rules, Examples, and Common Mistakes

Operational factors (stuff buyers discover too late)

• Event distribution speed: drawstrings are fast to grab, stack, and hand out; totes take more carton space.
• Storage and transport: drawstrings compress better; totes “ship as air” and need more staging space at venues.
• Outdoor performance: both work outdoors, but drawstrings flap and ripple more, which can reduce logo clarity in photos.
• Load comfort: if you expect heavier carry (multiple items), tote handles are usually more comfortable than drawstring cords.

How to choose between tote bags and drawstring bags (5-step rule)

1. List the typical contents (papers? shoes? boxed items?).
2. If it includes papers or boxy items, pick tote.
3. If it’s meant for hands-free movement, pick drawstring.
4. If your logo includes small text, prefer tote (more stable print zone).
5. If you’re still split, choose based on where it will be used most: daily errands → tote, sports/gym → drawstring.

FAQs

Are tote bags or drawstring bags better for trade shows?

Tote bags are usually better for trade shows because they carry brochures flat and keep a larger logo readable in crowded aisles.

Which is better for a 5K or fitness event?

Drawstring bags are usually better for fitness events because they’re hands-free and match athletic use.

Which one has a bigger print area?

Tote bags typically have a larger flat print area because the front panel stays flatter than a drawstring bag that gathers at the top.

Do drawstring bags make logos look distorted?

They can, especially near the top where fabric gathers. Place artwork lower and use bold shapes to reduce distortion.

Which option do people reuse more?

Tote bags are more often reused for errands and commuting, while drawstrings are reused more in sports/gym contexts—reuse depends on the audience’s routine.

What if I need an insulated carry option?

Use a dedicated lunch bag instead of forcing insulation into a tote/drawstring choice. See Custom Lunch Bags.

What if I need something more “commuter/business”?

Consider messenger bags or backpacks for structured daily carry. See Custom Messenger Bags and Custom Backpacks.

Can I use full-color artwork on both?

Often yes, depending on the product and imprint method, but high-detail art will generally look cleaner on flatter tote panels than on gathered drawstrings.