You can start a tote bag brand with one bag style, two or three prints and an order of 50 pieces. The work is mostly in the design and the selling, because the bag, the printing, the label and the packing can all come from one white label order.
This post sets out how to start tote bag brand production with us, step by step, from the first decision to the first reorder. It is written for new brands, artists, shops and online sellers who want a bag with their own name on it.
Step 1: decide what your tote is for
Every later choice follows from this one. Ask who buys the bag and why.
- A design-led tote sells on its artwork. The buyer wants the print.
- A brand tote carries your name and works as an everyday bag or a shopping bag.
- A practical tote sells on its build: a zip top, a pocket, a strong base.
Write one sentence that describes your buyer and the bag. For example: “A sturdy natural canvas tote with a bold illustrated print, sold online and at weekend markets.”
Step 2: choose a style and fabric
We make four styles: canvas tote, printed tote, zip tote and drawstring bag. For a first collection, one style is enough.
| If your tote is… | Start with | Fabric to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Design-led | Printed tote | Cotton canvas for a crisp print |
| A brand or shopping bag | Canvas tote | Heavier cotton canvas, or jute-cotton for a natural look |
| Practical daily carry | Zip tote | Cotton canvas, with a pocket or lining |
| Part of a kit or gift pack | Drawstring bag | Cotton canvas |
Bag width, height, gusset and handle length are agreed for each style and confirmed at quotation. Tell us what the bag will carry and we suggest a size and handle style.
Step 3: design prints that work on fabric
A tote is a simple canvas, which suits strong graphics.
- Keep shapes bold. Thick lines and solid areas print cleanly by screen print.
- Count your colours. Screen print uses one screen per colour, so fewer colours keep set-up simple. Heat transfer can carry more colours or finer detail.
- Size the artwork to the bag. The print area depends on the bag size.
- Decide one side or both. A print on each side adds interest for shop display.
- Prepare vector files where you can. A clear, high-resolution image also works.
If you prefer a quiet logo, a small embroidered mark on canvas gives a raised, retail finish.
Start with two or three designs on one bag. That gives you a small range to test without spreading your order too thin.
Step 4: add the brand details
Labels and packing are what make a printed bag feel like a product from a brand.
- A woven or printed label in the side seam or inside.
- A hang tag with your logo and a price space for shops.
- Folding and bagging for online orders, with a barcode sticker if you need one.
- Care and other wording for your destination. Labelling requirements vary by country and are confirmed at quotation.
Our guide to tote bag labels, tags and packaging explains each option.
Step 5: quote, sample and first order
Our process is the same for every order: enquiry, quotation, sample, advance payment, production, quality check and dispatch.
- Enquiry. Send the style, fabric, size, colours, quantity, artwork, branding method and packing.
- Quotation. We quote per style, by fabric, quantity and branding. Lead time, shipping method, terms and documents are confirmed in the quotation.
- Sample. You check the bag, handles, stitching, print and label before bulk.
- Production. An advance starts production, and the balance is paid before dispatch.
The minimum is 50 pieces per style. Within that, you can split colours and mix print colours, with the split confirmed at quotation. For a new brand, 50 pieces in one style is a manageable first run.
Step 6: launch and reorder
With stock in hand, put the bag in front of buyers.
- Online. Photograph the bag in use, give the size and handle drop in the listing, and pack to the specification of your shop or marketplace.
- In person. Markets, pop-ups and local shops let people touch the fabric, which helps a first sale.
- Track what sells. Note which print and colour move fastest.
Reorder the sellers in the same fabric, colour and print. Change or drop slow designs on the next order, and keep your approved artwork, label and tag files together so each reorder matches the last one exactly. When the first tote is steady, a zip tote or drawstring bag can extend the range.
Look at the styles and options on our white label tote bags page. Then send us your style, fabric, colours, quantity, artwork and packing, and we will prepare a quotation. We take enquiries from buyers worldwide.