J Zachary Diamond J Zachary Diamond

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.

Request a Quote

Sources

Read More