Tote bags have enjoyed a boom in popularity in recent years with their simple design and reusable nature. But personalised tote bags combine this timeless but on-trend style with something unique to the wearer.

They’re more than a bag – totes are a fashionable accessory that blend style with practicality and space, allowing you to carry essential items in a stylish way.

Want to know how to create and sell your own personalised tote bags in the UK? Get the know-how with Adobe Express.

Why are personalised tote bags popular?

Totes are simple, over-the-shoulder bags, great for daily use. Let’s break down why they’re so popular:

• Versatile. Tote bags are lightweight and large, meaning they can be used to carry anything from food and baby products to books and laptops.
• Reusable. One of the best things about tote bags is how reusable they are – perfect for grocery shopping one moment and heading to the library the next.
• Durable. They’re made from materials such as canvas, cotton, or recycled fibres, making them stronger.
• Show off your personality. You can add your own touch to display your personality – experiment with your own printed designs or personalise them with crafts.
• Great for brand marketing. Tote bags can promote your business or brand. Give them out at events – they’re the definition of a swag bag.
• Eco-friendly. Because totes are made from cotton rather than plastic, they can be better for the environment – if you use it enough times.
• Style. With so many designs, patterns, and colours, different totes can complement different outfits . Or opt for a minimalist design to suit most wardrobe looks.

How to design and sell your own tote bags.

You can easily learn how to design and sell your own tote bags. Let’s break it down into a few easy steps.

1. Do your market research.

Analyse trends and identify preferences in your market. Choosing a niche means you can cater to a select target audience, which can solidify your brand identity, and help you thrive. Targeting specific needs can enable you to gain competitive advantage as there could be less competition in these niche areas.

2. Build your tote bag business brand.

Branding is more than just visuals – it’s also value, voice, and vision. Having a brand reputation that precedes you makes it easier for your tote bags to get noticed, especially in crowded markets. If you’re able to develop brand loyalty with customers, they’ll keep coming back for more.

3. Select a tote bag to personalise.

Decide on what materials you want to use for your tote bags. Also think about sizes, will you offer just one size, or a range of sizes? You’ll also want to consider the handles – will they be the same colour or will you add a bit of flair?

4. Plan out your designs.

Now it’s time to get creative and work out your tote bag style and designs. What colours do you want to include on your tote bags? Is there a specific theme you want to focus on? Are there going to be images, slogans, or both?

Looking for inspiration? Check out our guide to Unique Tote Bag Design Ideas.

5. Start the production process.

The production process can be vinyl transfers, embroidery, or direct to film (DTF). You can make them yourself at home using an embroidery machine. Or you can have them made for you by a supplier.

If you’re thinking of doing it as a business, you might prefer to try a print-on-demand model or invest in machinery that will let you produce on a larger scale.

6. Create or order samples.

Although not essential, it’s still a good idea to order a sample to check for quality before going ahead with full production of your custom design tote bags. This is especially true if you’re liaising with suppliers, in case of miscommunication. To avoid them misinterpreting instructions, it’s best to order and thoroughly check a sample – prevention is better than cure, not to mention less costly.

7. Choose where to sell your tote bags.

First decide if you want to sell online, in-person, or both. There are online platforms that let you do this, such as Etsy. On there, you can set up your own store and sell your tote bags from it. You can also design your own website to market and sell your products. Running your business online, you can establish stronger branding opportunities with, for example, the use of influencers.

8. Launch your tote bag business.

Use social media platforms like Instagram to promote your tote bags and drive traffic to your stores. If you’re thinking of a physical store, consider where this would be. Is it a shop? Would you need to rent a space? Is it a stand at a crafts fair? You could even consider a pop-up shop to test the waters.

Tips for creating personalised tote bags.

Ready to start crafting your tote bag designs? Here are some top tips to consider before you get started.

Finding a niche will help you stand out.

If you can find a niche for your tote bags you will likely face less competition than if you were targeting the mass market. Look to what you know, for example in popular culture like music, fashion, food and art, to see what people are wearing, what they’re interested in and talking about. Do you see things you could channel with your tote bag designs?

Choose a font that’s easy to read.

If the font is hard to read, it could distort your brand messaging. The rule is to keep it simple and clear. If the words in your designs are important then people should be able to read them from a distance, so prioritise clarity. We’ve got free fonts you can choose for your design. Experiment and see what works for you.

Make sure your images and icons are high-res.

If you use any images or icons with your totes, make sure they’re high resolution to ensure the best quality. If you are using images, try to get a sample of your tote bag with the image printed onto it so you can see how it transfers onto the material. We’ve got a stock photo library for you to choose an image.

Proofread everything.

Proof, proof, then proof some more. If you’ve got words on your tote bag design, make sure they’re correct. If you’re producing a large batch of bags based on one design, a single typo can be embarrassing and costly. Get others to check it for you too – an extra pair of eyes can bring objectivity, helping to spot potential errors you may have missed.

How can Adobe Express help you design personalised tote bags?

Adobe Express offers a range of tools and templates to help inspire your tote bag designs. Try out some of the following ideas for a seamless business process.

1. Create a logo for your tote bag business.

You don’t need to be a professional graphics designer – you can make your own logo using the free logo maker. It’s an easy-to-use interface, giving you full control of the creative process, making logo design a breeze.

2. Make custom labels for successful sales.

Create a custom label in minutes using Adobe Express. Start with one of the editable templates and customise it to your liking. Or you can start from scratch with a blank canvas and make it your own entirely.

3. Plan and schedule social posts.

Want to share your totes with the world? You can design your own Instagram stories or posts using Adobe Express. You don’t need to be at the helm round-the-clock either – use the content scheduler to post at times when you might not be available. This can streamline your social media process, freeing up time to be used elsewhere.

4. Add a “Thank you for your business” card.

Add a thank you card for each customer. This shows you’re grateful for their business, and can go a long way in encouraging them to come back. The card can be digital or physical: it’s the thought that counts.

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Good to know.

Are tote bags in high demand?

Yes, tote bags are in high demand. In 2022, the Business of Fashion (BOF) reported a ‘tote boom’ across price points from high street to couture. Meanwhile, industry data predicts the global tote bag market to go from $2.63bn in 2023 to $3.76bn by 2031 – so it’s definitely one to watch.

How big should a logo be on a personalised tote bag?

The standard size of a personalised tote bag should be around 14x14-16 inches, so try to make your logo big enough to fit within that average dimension. For more information on logo sizes, check out the logo sizing guide on Adobe Express.

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes, our free plan offers many core features, including thousands of templates, photo editing and effects, animation, and 5GB of storage. See our pricing page for details and to compare plans.