Finding Evergreen Appeal in Bags and Totes for 2024

You rarely leave the house without one. When you do, you swear that you still feel the phantom weight of them on your shoulders. I’m talking totes and bags. Whether it’s grocery shopping, hiking, or even just a night out with friends, there’s a good shot that something you do will require a bag.

Totes and bags have taken the promo world by storm, and it was apparent at this year’s PPAI Expo that their popularity is continuing well into 2024 and beyond, especially as we continue to see plastic bag bans across the country. So, how can you as a supplier not get swept up in the hype and stand out when it comes to hopping on the totes and bags train?

It’s Hard to Miss Out

If you’re worried you missed your window of opportunity for totes and bags, don’t you fret.

Maribeth Sandford, CEO of Bag Makers, Union, Illinois, says that one of the major perks that comes with bags is that you can’t really miss a peak selling time for them — they’re applicable 365 days of the year.

“The beauty of bags is that they have an evergreen appeal,” Sandford says. “Printed bags are used all year round — ranging from event bags for [first quarter] trade show season to insulated totes and backpacks for outdoor summer activities to gift bags for winter holidays. Plus, printed bags can be used to package other gifts or giveaway items. Bags really are applicable for promotions all year long.”

Kathleen Baker, creative director for Hexa | Custom, Boulder, Colorado, shares a similar sentiment, saying that bags are not a seasonal product, as opposed to other products like jackets, which is something Hexa specialized in until very recently. “To emphasize this, each bag in our collection is weather-resistant, making them essential accessories regardless of the season,” Baker says.

A collection of bags from Hexa Custom

Align with Fashion Trends

There’s no reason that promo and fashion can’t go hand-in-hand. With all of the love “dupes” — short for “duplicates” — have been getting lately, it’d be silly not pay attention to fashion trends and apply them to promotional products.

“Iridescent finishes are popping up everywhere,” Sandford says. “If you walk into your local coffee shop, you’ll likely see iridescent tumblers for sale. Iridescent effects are popular for pens, notebooks, cosmetics, shoes, and more. Even luxury brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton have added iridescent handbags to their collections.”

In fact, Bag Makers just launched its new product collection for 2024 and now offers two Iridescent Eurototes. The bags are made with an iridescent-silver paper that has a color-shifting, reflective finish.

However, when it comes to following fashion trends, don’t fall for the misconception that promo accessories are gendered. Aim for gender neutrality to avoid isolating customers, Baker warns.

“A common misconception is associating bag styles with a specific gender,” she says. “Our bags are designed to be gender-neutral, allowing customization of colors to suit individual styles, making them perfect for anyone.”

And to ensure that customization can be achieved, Baker explains that Hexa offers the versatility of heat transfer on all products, so each item has a unique area for imprinting.

Stay Sustainable and Maintain Brand Identity

While Baker says that Hexa stays attuned to fashion trends when it comes to designing its bags, she says that sustainability and brand identity remained the most essential design elements.

“I aimed to seamlessly integrate these bags into our outerwear line, using the same materials for a distinct yet cohesive look, all while setting it apart from the sea of options in the promotional industry,” Baker says. “Sustainability took center stage in our design approach.”

Galaxy Tote from Bag Makers

She continues explaining that every bag and accessory is “born from the essence of our jackets,” meaning that Hexa essentially transforms its jacket designs into on-trend accessories. And so you have a better idea, the Puffy Tote is constructed from Hexa’s Mega Puff Collection, and the Crossbody Bag ties in elements from its already-existing Windbreaker line.

“This intentional fusion not only lends a unique visual identity, but ensures durability, weight-bearing capabilities, and top-notch quality — attributes intrinsic to our outerwear,” Baker says. “The collection stands as a testament to the synergy between style, sustainability, and substance, effortlessly finding its place within our brand identity.”

Don’t Forget About the Packaging

When it comes to bags, it’s easy to get caught up in the design elements of the actual wearable item, but don’t let the packaging for these bad boys fall by the wayside. If you’re creating high-end promotional experiences for people, a lot of those experiences begin with the packaging.

“Distributors may not know that we just started offering printed paper tissue using our Chromatic print process,” Sandford says. “Customers can order white or French vanilla tissue with full-color printed imprints in quantities as low as 100 sheets.

Adding printed paper tissue to a tote or bag is the perfect way to add a special finishing touch to gift packaging and create a higher perceived value for the gift or giveaway item.”