When it comes to useful everyday items, bags are invaluable as an item that’s both universally used and versatile. Not only can bags go from day to night, they’re present in all walks of life from going to school or work, to daytime leisure, to hiking and adventure, to evening occasions. This is why branding bags as a means to boost your brand’s visibility is a great idea that will pay dividends.
In this article, we present 7 different types of bags and practical applications for using them as branded merchandise.
The versatile tote bag
The popularity of minimalist, simple canvas tote bags is on the rise, and for good reason. These bags are easy to fold and store, they can be grabbed at a moment’s notice, and you can have a few waiting in your car or even within a bigger backpack for a last-minute shopping need. Moreover, as more shops reduce their sales of plastic single-use bags in an effort to cut down on harmful environmental impacts, having a few tote bags with you at all times becomes extremely practical.
So, what branding opportunities are there with a tote bag? The sky’s the limit! From playing around with colours to putting your brand’s logo, name, and even a slogan on them, tote bags are literally a blank canvas you can use to get your name out there.
Associating your brand name with a reusable, eco-friendly item that’s practical and loved by many is a great way to create some positive associations for your company, too.
Backpacks for adventure
For brands with an outdoor connection or if you just want to support the nature-loving lifestyle of your employees, branding some practical and versatile backpacks that can be used for hikes and long days out of the city is a great idea. Good hiking backpacks can come in a variety of sizes and accommodate a large array of interests beyond a walk in the mountains. They could even just be a weekend travel bag that’s easy and convenient to carry in public transport.
You will have a choice of colours and textures, and we advise going for a simple design where you can add your logo and perhaps company name on the back of a backpack. These will make great gifts for your team to take away and spread brand awareness out of the office.
Take your name to the beach
After the regular shopping tote bag, the larger canvas or cotton beach hold-all bags are the next big thing to use all summer long. These bigger bags, with our without inner compartments and with comfortable thick shoulder straps, can be used for just about any purpose: from carrying all your beach items to walking around town on a summer’s day, to grabbing all the kids’ toys when hurrying to meet some friends.
The great thing about big beach bags is that they give you a lot of space to add your branding elements, from quotes and mottos to just your logo and company name. You can also personalise these so they’re in your brand colours, which gives them an added special touch.
Food delivery and takeaway bags
There is no denying that food delivery has really taken off during the pandemic-induced lockdowns, but it’s also a trend that’s here to stay. With it, lots of options for packaging food have developed too, from keeping it hot to cool bags for cold drinks and for transporting perishable food items. Moreover, these bags aren’t just for delivery drivers: you can take advantage of using them in daily life, whether going to visit friends and bringing a cooked meal, or setting off for a picnic and wanting to take with you cool drinks.
There is an opportunity to brand cool bags and hot meal delivery bags with your name and brand colours, and you’ll love the association of food with your company for those using these bags in a casual fashion.
Sports for all
In an Olympic year, what better way to capitalise on everyone’s love of sport than to put your name and colours on some easy-to-use, universally appealing drawstring bags? These are great for hitting the gym, storing wet apparel after a swim, even for going to the beach with just the bare necessities.
Drawstring backpacks can come in any colours and designs and they’re extremely versatile for customising fully. You could even print out a full-size custom picture to showcase what your company does.
Don’t neglect the smaller bags
Maybe not so obvious, but absolutely ubiquitous, are the small cosmetics and make-up bags that we all pack when we go away on holiday. They may not have the biggest surface, but they’re excellent for a subtle branding exercise and can be carried pretty much anywhere.
If you’re offering these as free gifts to your employees or if you give them away as a freebie with product purchases, they’ll do a great job of keeping your logo or brand name front of mind for your customers.
Classic suitcases
Rounding out the list are, of course, the classic suitcases in all sizes and colours. Whether travelling for work or leisure, we all have at least one and it would be an extremely useful free branded gift for any employee.
Add your logo to the centre of a suitcase for a subtle marketing touch, or go all out and personalise your suitcase with colours and even printed designs if you wish to. You’ll get international notoriety when your bag rolls through the next airport, so make the most of it!
