Custom tote bags: which bag should you choose, for which use and at what price?
It is often assumed that a tote bag costs the price of its fabric, and that the fabric weight makes the difference. On our product pages, it is the construction of the bag that sorts the prices: gusset, closure, zipped pocket, lining. On the lightest bags, it is even the branding that weighs most in the budget. The amounts, bag by bag, and how to choose according to use.
At a glance
At 100 pieces, a tote bag from our range costs €1.28 to €38.25 excl. VAT per piece before branding, a gap of 1 to 30. Taken from our product pages on 14 September 2026, across 15 bags, selling prices excl. VAT. A sixteenth, a brand-name tote sold from 10 pieces, is not counted.
What makes the gap comes down first to the construction of the bag: closure, zipped pocket, insulated lining, shoulder strap. The fabric weight, for its part, is stated on only 6 of our 16 tote bags. And on the cheapest bags, the branding can cost more than the bag.
How much does a custom tote bag cost?
From €1.28 to €3.07 per piece for a light bag, from €4.73 to €9.12 for a heavier or larger bag, and from €11.25 to €38.25 for a bag with a closure or a zipped pocket, at 100 pieces, before branding.
| Price at 100 pieces | Bags | Bag weight | What their product pages describe |
|---|---|---|---|
| €1.28 to €3.07 | 4 | 69 to 162 g | no closure or pocket stated |
| €4.73 to €9.12 | 6 | 145 to 240 g | gusset, 330 or 400 gsm canvas, corduroy; a zipped closure on one model only |
| €11.25 to €38.25 | 5 | 250 to 540 g | a closure or a zipped pocket on all five; an insulated compartment, a shoulder strap |
The bag weight sorts the prices better than the fabric weight, without explaining them on its own: above €10, it is closures, pockets and linings that are added.
Does the fabric weight set the price?
Not enough to rely on it in our range. Only 6 of our 16 tote bags show a fabric weight, from 140 to 400 gsm. And at equal fabric weight, the price can vary twofold: two recycled canvas bags of 400 gsm cost €9.12 and €17.07 at 100 pieces, the second larger and fitted with a zipped pocket (currently unavailable).
The only comparison at an almost identical size is found in our recycled cotton line: the 145 gsm bag costs €2.73 and the 330 gsm one €5.06, that is 1.85 times the price for 2.3 times the fabric weight.
What does branding a tote bag cost?
At 100 pieces, branding a logo comes to €1.03 to €4.67 per bag in transfer, €1.10 to €2.82 in screen printing and €3.61 to €3.86 in embroidery, set-up costs spread over the quantity. Selling prices excl. VAT, one artwork on one placement.
| Technique | Bags offering it | Colours max | Largest area | Cost per bag at 100 pieces |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen printing | 1 | 3 | 280 × 310 mm | €1.10 to €2.82 |
| Transfer | 7 | 6 | 250 × 280 mm | €1.03 to €4.67 |
| Embroidery | 7 | 12 | 170 × 170 mm | €3.61 to €3.86 |
On the cheapest bags, this amount comes on top of a bag price of the same order. For 100 recycled cotton shopping bags of 7 litres, the bags cost €128 and the screen printing €110.50 to €281.80, set-up costs included: the branding makes up 46 to 69% of the total. For 100 T-shirts, it makes up 13 to 28%, see how much 100 custom T-shirts cost.
What budget for 100 branded tote bags?
From €238.50 for the simplest bags to €2,428.80 for the cooler bag, bags and branding of one logo included, for the tote bags whose product page details a technique.
| Bag, price at 100 pieces | 100 bags | Branded budget | Share of branding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recycled cotton shopping bag 7 L, €1.28 | €128 | €238.50 to €409.80 in screen printing | 46 to 69% |
| Recycled cotton tote bag with gusset, €2.73 | €273 | €376.30 to €739.80 in transfer | 27 to 63% |
| Recycled cotton tote bag, €2.94 | €294 | €397.30 to €760.80 in transfer | 26 to 61% |
| Heavy recycled cotton tote bag, €5.06 | €506 | €609.30 to €972.80 in transfer | 17 to 48% |
| Recycled canvas tote bag, €9.12 | €912 | €1,015.30 to €1,378.80 in transfer | 10 to 34% |
| Zipped recycled tote bag, €9.12 | €912 | €1,015.30 to €1,378.80 in transfer | 10 to 34% |
| Recycled cooler tote bag, €19.62 | €1,962 | €2,065.30 to €2,428.80 in transfer | 5 to 19% |
Embroidery is offered on the same six bags, the 7-litre bag aside: for 100 pieces, it adds €360.80 to €385.80 to the price of the bags.
Which bag for which use?
Each use points to a price band in our range, because it calls for a different construction.
- Handing out in large numbers, at a trade show or in an onboarding kit: a light bag, from €1.28 to €3.07 at 100 pieces. On these, the branding can cost more than the bag.
- Items to keep closed in: a model with a closure or a zipped pocket, from €9.12 for the zipped recycled tote bag.
- Meals or shopping kept cool: the recycled cooler tote bag, the only bag in the range with an insulated compartment, €19.62.
- Carrying on a shoulder strap: the washed cotton messenger bag, the only one in the range, €38.25.
- Large artwork: screen printing up to 280 × 310 mm on the 7-litre bag, or transfer up to 250 × 280 mm.
- Detailed logo in several colours: embroidery, up to twelve thread colours, on an area of 170 × 170 mm at most.
Why do some product pages say “Marking to be agreed together”?
Because the technique for these bags is settled with the quote, not in advance on the product page. That is the case for 7 of our 16 tote bags, including the five in GOTS certified organic cotton.
The price of the bag, for its part, is shown there by tier, as on the other product pages. The cost of the branding comes with the quote, sent within 24 to 48 hours on business days.
How to check these figures yourself
Each product page shows the price per piece at each quantity tier and, when it details them, the branding techniques with their price range, their set-up costs and the area size. The amounts in this article are a record of them as of 14 September 2026.
One point to note when reading: on the “Material” line, the value in grams is the weight of the bag, not the fabric weight. The fabric weight, when given, appears in the description. Compare, for example, the tote bags in the range.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest custom tote bag?
In our range, the 7-litre recycled cotton shopping bag: €1.28 excl. VAT per piece at 100 units, before branding, taken on 14 September 2026.
Where is the fabric weight of a tote bag shown?
In the product page description, when it gives it: 6 of our 16 tote bags state it. The “Material” line shows the weight of the bag, not the fabric weight.
Can every tote bag be screen printed?
No. On our product pages, only one offers it, the 7-litre recycled cotton shopping bag, up to three colours. Seven others offer transfer and embroidery, and seven settle the technique with the quote.
What is the minimum order for tote bags?
50 pieces for 14 of our 16 tote bags. The recycled corduroy shopping bag can be ordered from 25 pieces, the brand-name tote from 10.
Are these prices guaranteed?
No. They are orders of magnitude taken on a given date. The quote, sent within 24 to 48 hours on business days, is the only firm amount.
The amounts in this article are selling prices excluding VAT, taken from our product pages and our published branding price ranges on 14 September 2026, and given as orders of magnitude. They do not constitute an offer. Only a named quote commits to a price.