Custom Tote Bags for Events and Teams: Canvas, Cotton or rPET?
Compare canvas, cotton and rPET custom tote bags for events and teams: sizes, print methods and ordering tips for Canadian planners and marketers.
The tote bag is one of the easiest promotional products to say yes to and one of the easiest to get wrong. Order a thin bag with a stretched-out logo and it ends up in a drawer. Order a sturdy one with a clean mark and it goes to the grocery store, the gym and the office for years.
Most of the difference comes down to three choices: the material, the size and construction, and how the logo is applied. This guide walks through each one in plain terms, with a few numbers from industry research, so you can order the right tote the first time.
Why totes keep earning their place
Bags are one of the categories people hold on to. PPAI's 2025 consumer research ranked bags and travel items second among the most kept and used branded products, at 47%, behind apparel at 55%. ASI's 2026 Ad Impressions study (ASI is the promotional products industry's other major trade group) estimates that bags average nearly 5,000 lifetime impressions, second only to outerwear, at roughly a tenth of a cent per impression for a branded tote.
Usefulness is the common thread. In an earlier PPAI survey of 5,674 end users in the U.S. and Canada, 75.4% said the main reason they kept a promotional product was that it is useful. A tote is useful in an obvious, repeatable way, which is why it travels beyond the event it was handed out at.
One caution: those are industry surveys, and results vary by audience and item. Treat them as a reason to choose carefully, not as a promise.
Canvas, cotton or rPET: choosing a material
There is no single best tote material. There is a best fit for your audience, budget and message. Here is how the common options compare.
Cotton and cotton canvas
The classic. A guide from Custom Ink (a seller of custom products, so read it as one supplier's view) describes cotton canvas in the 8 to 12 oz range as an all-around choice for screen printing, because it takes ink well and can be washed. It is a natural fibre, it feels premium in the hand, and it suits bookstore-style totes for conferences, retreats and gifts for speakers. The trade-offs are that it is not water resistant and that heavier canvas costs more.
rPET (recycled polyester)
rPET fabric is made from recycled plastic, typically post-consumer bottles. It gives you a recycled-content story, often at a lower price point than heavy canvas, and it comes in woven and non-woven forms. If sustainability is part of the reason you are ordering, ask your supplier what percentage of the bag is recycled content and whether it comes with certification, rather than relying on the label "eco" alone.
Non-woven polypropylene
The budget workhorse for high-volume handouts. Custom Ink's guide notes the textured surface limits fine detail, so keep artwork simple and bold. It is a good fit for trade show aisles and large attendee counts, less so for something you want people to carry for years.
Polyester canvas and specialty bags
Polyester canvas resists water better than cotton, and zippered, insulated or gusseted styles add function for lunches, gym kits and travel. They cost more, so they suit smaller, higher-value groups such as speakers, volunteers or staff.
Size, handles and construction
A tote is a carrying tool, so the details that make it comfortable matter as much as the print.
Size: A flat tote around 15 by 16 inches is a common general-purpose size and fits a laptop, a binder and a water bottle. Go larger for conference materials, smaller for a single item or a gift set.
Gusset: A gusset (the folded side panel) adds depth for groceries or gear, but it also narrows the flat print area on the front.
Handles: Short handles (roughly 14 to 18 inches) suit hand carry, while longer handles (about 24 to 26 inches) let people wear the bag on a shoulder, even over a winter coat. In Ontario, that last detail is worth thinking about.
Reinforcement: Look for stitched, reinforced handle attachments. Weak handles are the quickest way for a bag to end up in the bin.
Closure and pockets: A zipper or an inner pocket helps for travel and office use, and adds cost.
How the logo gets on the bag
The decoration method affects how your logo looks, how long it lasts and what it costs.
Screen printing: The standard for cotton and canvas. It is cost-effective for simple, bold artwork in a few colours, and it holds up well in the wash.
Heat transfer or sublimation: Better suited to full-colour artwork and to polyester-type fabrics.
Embroidery: Adds a premium look on heavier canvas, best for small, simple logos.
Dark bags: Printing light ink on a dark fabric typically needs an extra step (a white underbase), which can add cost.
Two-sided printing: It increases visibility but also price. One supplier's guide puts the increase at roughly 25 to 40%. Ask for a quote on your own design to see the real difference.
Whichever method you choose, keep the design clean. In PPAI's 2025 research, 44% of consumers preferred subtle branding over big, bold logos, and about 90% said design influences whether they keep an item. A simple one-colour mark on a well-made bag often beats a busy full-colour print.
Match the tote to the job
Conferences and workshops: Mid-weight cotton canvas or a sturdy rPET bag, sized for materials and a laptop.
Trade shows: A bold, simple print on an easy-to-carry bag that is visible across the aisle. Non-woven works if volume is the priority.
Volunteers and event staff: A durable, shoulder-friendly bag, often with a zipper or an inside pocket.
Team and department welcome packs: Cotton canvas or recycled-content options that new team members will reuse beyond day one.
Fundraisers and community events: A budget-friendly bag in a standout colour, so that people carrying it become walking signage.
A quick sustainability check
PPAI's Product Power 2026 study (more than 5,000 U.S. respondents) found that 68% name recycled or reusable materials as their top sustainability preference, and 49% say a brand's eco commitment directly affects how trustworthy they find it. Separately, ASI's 2026 study reports that 86% of consumers would view an advertiser more favourably if it gave a sustainable bag instead of a standard one.
A bag is only sustainable if it gets reused. A well-made tote that someone carries for years does more good than a recycled-content bag that is used once. Choose durability first, then look at materials, and order the quantity you need rather than a pallet of extras.
Checklist before you order
Who will carry it, and what will they put in it?
Which material fits your budget, your message and your timeline?
Is the size right for the contents, and are the handles comfortable?
Is the artwork simple enough to print cleanly on this fabric?
Do you need a light logo on a dark bag, and have you budgeted for it?
Does the quantity match your headcount, with a small buffer?
Have you asked about recycled content or certification, if that matters to you?
Is the in-hand date early enough to pack and distribute the bags?
Frequently asked questions
What is the best material for custom tote bags?
It depends on the job. Cotton canvas feels premium and prints well, rPET offers a recycled-content option, and non-woven polypropylene keeps costs down for large handouts. Start with how long you want people to keep and use the bag.
How big should a promotional tote be?
A flat tote around 15 by 16 inches suits most events, as it holds a laptop, a notebook and a bottle. Choose a larger bag for conference materials and a smaller one for gift sets.
Is rPET really eco-friendly?
It can be a good choice because it gives recycled plastic a second use, but it is still a plastic fabric. Ask your supplier about the recycled content and any certification, and choose a bag people will reuse.
Can we print a full-colour logo on a tote?
Often, yes. Heat transfer and sublimation suit full-colour artwork, and screen printing works best with a few solid colours. Your supplier can recommend the method that fits your fabric and design.
How far ahead should we order custom tote bags?
As early as you can. Artwork approval, production and shipping all take time, and firm dates for an event leave less room for surprises. Tell your supplier the in-hand date you need when you ask for a quote.
Planning custom tote bags? Let's find one people will carry
GiftGuru is an Ontario-based promotional products company serving organizations across Canada. Put your logo where it belongs: on something awesome.
Tell us your quantity, timeline and what the bag needs to carry, and we'll suggest options and handle artwork, production and delivery.
Sources
PPAI, Product Power 2026: What Consumers Want Next, December 8, 2025 (more than 5,000 U.S. respondents)
PPAI, Top 5 Most Kept and Used Promo Products infographic (PPAI Consumer Research 2025)
PPAI, New PPAI research shows why consumers take and keep promo products, November 30, 2021 (5,674 end users in the U.S. and Canada)
Print & Promo Marketing, ASI's 2026 Ad Impressions Study: Bags, June 16, 2026
PPAI, The 5-Second Impact, 2025 (44% subtle branding; design and keeping items), ppai.org
Custom Ink, Custom tote bag guide (published by a seller of custom products)
Event Swag That Gets Kept: A Planner’s Guide to Promotional Products for Events in Canada
Choose event swag attendees actually keep. A Canadian planner’s guide to promotional products for conferences, trade shows and corporate events.
Every planner has been handed the swag bag that disappears before the shuttle ride home: a flimsy pen, a stack of flyers, a keychain nobody asked for. Every planner has also seen the opposite: the tote bag people carry for years, or the bottle that shows up on desks long after the event.
The difference is rarely budget. It is intention. This guide covers what current research says about event swag, which products earn their place, how to plan around deadlines, and how to measure whether your giveaways worked.
Why promotional products still matter at events
Events are where people are most open to taking something home. Industry research from PPAI (the Promotional Products Association International) shows that branded items still land well when they are chosen carefully:
Roughly 83% of consumers say receiving a promotional product makes them feel appreciated, and 90% say it improves their perception of the brand (PPAI, Product Power 2026 study).
About 65% say they are very likely to keep a branded product for six months or longer, and 73% use branded bottles or tumblers daily.
More than half (54%) still have the last promotional product they received, and 61% clearly remember the brand that gave it to them (PPAI, 5-Second Impact study, 2025).
The catch is quality. PPAI's research also found that nearly 90% of people say design influences whether they keep an item, and the leading reasons merch feels cheap or forgettable are low durability, poor design and irrelevance. In PPAI's words, consumers don't want more products, they want better ones.
For planners, that means the question is not "should we do swag?" It is "what would our attendees actually use?"
What event attendees actually keep
Two patterns show up across the research and across what planners tell us.
Useful beats clever. In PPAI's consumer research, usefulness is the top reason people keep an item, followed by style and quality. Items that solve a real problem during the event, such as carrying materials, staying hydrated or keeping a phone charged, get used on the day and kept afterward.
Subtle beats shouty. In PPAI's 2025 research, 44% of consumers preferred subtle branding over big, bold logos. A tasteful one-colour mark on a well-made item tends to travel further than a billboard-sized logo on something people feel awkward using.
Event swag ideas that earn their place
Tote bags and carry gear
A good tote is the workhorse of event merchandise. Attendees need something to carry materials, and a durable bag keeps working for your event long after the doors close. Recycled-content (rPET) and canvas options give you a sustainability story without a premium price. For multi-day conferences, backpacks and sling bags work well as higher-value gifts for speakers and VIPs.
Drinkware
Stainless steel bottles and tumblers remain a top pick for conferences, retreats and outdoor events because people use them every day. Stemless silicone and insulated options are popular for appreciation events and outdoor programs. Choose one with a quality finish and keep the imprint clean.
Tech accessories
Power banks, wireless chargers, cable organizers and Bluetooth speakers solve a problem every attendee has by mid-afternoon: a dying phone. Tech items also sit on desks and in bags, so your brand gets seen again and again. They suit trade shows, conferences and client appreciation events.
Apparel and headwear
T-shirts, hoodies, toques and caps remain the most requested category in consumer surveys, and they work well for events with a shared identity: fun runs, fundraisers, team events and festivals. Retail-style fits and subtle decoration help people actually wear them. In Ontario, a branded toque or hoodie also has a long seasonal life.
Notebooks and stationery
Despite all the tech at conferences, attendees still jot notes by hand. A quality journal with a pen is a modest, genuinely useful gift that pairs well with a tote.
Match the swag to the event type
Conference: tote or backpack, journal and pen, power bank. They carry, take notes and stay charged.
Trade show booth: drinkware, tech accessories, a quality tote. Worth the stop, and used afterward.
Fundraiser or fun run: apparel, caps, bottles. Wearable pride that stays visible after the event.
Corporate retreat: insulated drinkware, hoodies, outdoor gear. Comfort and everyday use.
Client appreciation: premium drinkware, tech, curated gift sets. Quality signals care.
Plan swag in tiers
Not everyone at your event needs the same gift. A tiered approach lets you invest where it matters most:
VIPs and speakers: premium, personal items such as a quality backpack, insulated drinkware or a gift set.
Staff and volunteers: wearables that make them easy to spot and make the event feel polished.
General attendees: your highest-volume item, so make it practical, portable and well designed.
Sponsors and partners: a thank-you item that matches the quality of your event.
One strong attendee item plus a few well-chosen upgrades usually beats a bag stuffed with small things.
Build sustainability into the plan
Sustainability is a real buying factor in Canada. PPAI and the Promotional Products Professionals of Canada (PPPC) found that sustainable products made up 17% of Canadian promotional product sales in 2024, ahead of the U.S. rate. Practical ways to do it well:
Choose reusable items over single-use ones.
Pick recycled or organic materials where quality holds up.
Skip event-date branding where you can, so leftover stock can be reused at your next event.
Order the right quantity. Leftover boxes are waste too.
Timing and ordering early
Planning for swag late is the most common mistake we see. Production, decoration, shipping and artwork approvals all take time, and sourcing across borders can add uncertainty, so earlier is almost always easier.
What that means for your planning:
Start the swag conversation as soon as your event date and budget are set, not after the programme is finalized.
Ask your supplier about Canadian-friendly sourcing and in-stock options when timelines are tight.
Lock in quantities and artwork early, and build in a buffer for shipping.
Be flexible on colours and styles if stock is limited.
A simple checklist before you order
Audience: who are they, and what would they use in a normal week?
Moment: when will they receive it, and what will they need right then?
Quality: would you use it yourself?
Branding: is the logo clean, readable and not overpowering?
Quantity: does it match confirmed registrations, with a small buffer?
Delivery: is it arriving early enough to pack, stage and distribute?
Follow-up: can you tie the item to a next step, such as a QR code or landing page, so you can see who engaged?
How to tell whether your swag worked
Most event teams never measure swag. A few simple habits change that:
Add a QR code or short URL on the item or packaging that leads to a relevant page.
Ask a swag question in your post-event survey: what did you keep, and what did you use?
Watch for the item showing up on social media or in offices after the event.
Note which items run out first at pick-up tables.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best promotional products for events?
The best ones are useful, well made and relevant to the audience. Tote bags, drinkware, tech accessories, apparel and quality notebooks are consistent performers at conferences, trade shows and corporate events.
How much should we budget for event swag?
It depends on your goals and audience. Many planners tier their spending, with a higher per-person budget for VIPs and speakers and a practical, cost-efficient item for general attendees. A supplier can show you options at several price points and quantities.
How far ahead should we order event merchandise?
As early as possible. Decoration, production and shipping all take time, and tight timelines limit your choices. Share your in-hand date up front so your supplier can tell you what is realistic.
Can we order smaller quantities for a small event?
Often, yes, though minimums and pricing vary by product and decoration method. Ask for a few options at your actual quantity.
What is the most sustainable event swag?
Reusable items made from recycled or durable materials, ordered in the right quantity and designed to be kept. The most sustainable item is the one that does not end up in the trash.
Planning an event? Let's find swag your attendees will keep
GiftGuru is an Ontario-based promotional products company serving events and organizations across Canada. Put your logo where it belongs: on something awesome.
Tell us your event date, headcount and budget, and we'll recommend options and handle artwork, production and delivery.