We've all been there: standing at the checkout counter, arms full of groceries, and realizing we've forgotten to bring a bag.
Again.
Cue the walk of shame as you fork over another dollar for a flimsy, generic bag that somehow manages to look boring and break after walking with it for three blocks.
Don't worry—you're not alone. Four trillion others forget theirs, too. Or at least that's the number of plastic bags used worldwide yearly.
Plastic bags are everywhere, yet they’re forgettable, disposable, and, let’s be honest, kind of uninspiring. So why keep relying on them?
Instead, why not create a tote bag so eye-catching that no one would leave the house without it?
One that reflects a distinct personality instead of looking like an afterthought from the clearance bin.
A tote bag has the power to be so much more than just a bag. It can be a statement, a canvas, or a daily companion that matches your vibe.
Whether you want to flaunt an artsy pattern, a witty quote, or your pet's adorable face (because, let's be honest, they deserve that level of appreciation), designing your own tote bag lets you carry your style everywhere you go.
But custom tote bags aren’t just great for personal use—they also make fantastic gifts and sellable products.
A well-designed tote can be the perfect way to showcase a brand, promote an event, or create a unique item that customers actually want to use.
Whether you’re creating bags for friends, family, or your business, a standout design can turn a simple tote into something truly memorable.
In this guide, I'll cover everything you need to know about tote bag design, from choosing the right materials to nailing the perfect layout.
Whether you're creating a custom tote for personal use, gifting, or for your own business, this step-by-step breakdown will have you designing bags that stand out in no time.
With the right tools, you can easily design a tote bag that's uniquely yours. Try CorelDRAW for free and start designing today!
Bringing your tote bag vision to life is more than just slapping an image or graphic onto some fabric.
You want to create something stylish yet functional and, most importantly—something that is uniquely yours.
Let me break down the process.
Knowing where to start with designing a tote bag can feel overwhelming.
With so many details to consider, like measurements, layout, and overall composition, it’s easy to get stuck. But with the right tools, this becomes easy.
CorelDRAW simplifies the process with built-in guidelines and preset sizes, making it easier to create a well-structured design right from the start.
So, the first step is to open CorelDRAW.
Before committing to printing, it's a good idea to test how your design will look on an actual tote bag.
A digital mockup helps you visualize placement, proportions, and colors before production.
Mockups are a handy tool for testing out different alternatives to your design before deciding on the final version.
Input the dimensions of your desired tote bag, and bring your design to life with a custom creation that's uniquely yours.
Nobody likes a pixelated tote design that looks straight out of the bargain bin.
That is why making sure that your resolution is decent is the next step.
For the best resolution for your tote bag, aim for 1500 x 1500 pixels.
A strong tote bag design needs a clear concept and a well-chosen color palette.
As a designer, you understand the power of color—it shapes emotions, strengthens branding, and defines the overall appeal of your work.
The right color choice can make a design feel bold and energetic or calm and sophisticated. That’s why every shade you select matters.
Are you one of the many designers who rely on Pantone color palettes to ensure accurate and consistent printing results?
If so, I've got great news for you!
If you are using CorelDRAW for your tote bag design, Pantone color palettes are integrated into the software, so you can access a wide variety of accurate color-matched palettes for your designs.
The printing method you choose can make or break your tote bag design.
Different techniques, such as screen printing, heat transfer, and direct-to-garment (DTG) printing offer varying levels of durability, color vibrancy, and texture.
Fabric choice also matters. Canvas and cotton work best for most printing methods, as ink adheres well and stays color-fast on these materials.
If you're aiming for bold, high-contrast designs, screen printing is a great option, while DTG printing allows for detailed, full-color artwork.
Once your design is ready, there are several ways to transfer it onto your tote bag.
Print-on-demand services handle everything for you, from printing to shipping, making it an easy option for selling custom designs.
If you're making your own, iron-on transfers let you print at home and apply your design with heat.
If you're working with handmade designs such as fabric painting, embroidery, or tie-dye, the transfer process is simply putting pen to paper—or rather, brush to bag!
If you've made it this far, chances are that you've already mastered the art of designing a tote bag.
But unless your tote is just for your own personal use, you are probably also interested in how you take it further and actually sell those masterpieces of yours.
A well-designed, aesthetically pleasing tote bag not only carries items but also carries your brand into new markets and into the hands of new customers.
That is if you follow these tips.
Your tote bag is essentially a walking advertisement showcasing your design or logo whenever someone carries it.
Depending on your vision, your logo might be the focal point of the tote's design, or it could be placed subtly in a corner.
Regardless of your design, make sure your logo is visible on the tote!
That way, passersby won’t have to stop you and ask, “Where did you get this masterpiece hanging from your shoulder?” as they can simply spot your logo and find out themselves.
Consistency builds recognition. Therefore, your tote bags should match the rest of your brand's visuals.
That includes aligning fonts, colors, and design style with those found on your website, social media, business card, or other merchandise, e.g., t-shirts or hoodies.
If you want to use your tote bag as a moving mini-billboard, adding your social media handles or even a QR code leading to your website is beneficial.
In that way, the people spotting your tote can learn more about your brand beyond the bag.
Tote bags are carried everywhere—grocery stores, coffee shops, work, and beyond.
A versatile design with a broad appeal increases the chances of your bag being used regularly, maximizing exposure for your brand.
By considering versatility, you’re not just designing a tote bag—you’re creating a go-to, everyday staple that people will actually want to carry.
Pixelated or blurry logos are not what you want people to associate your brand with.
You want to 'wow' them and high-quality graphics are the best way to do that. So, make sure your designs are high-resolution and optimized for printing.
With software like CorelDRAW, a crisp vector-based design that looks great on fabric is possible with just a few clicks.
Canvas and cotton are usually the best fabrics to use unless you are planning on using sublimation printing (read more about that below), in which case you will want to use polyester blends.
Of course, this depends on how fast you move from idea to execution.
If you're creating a custom design using software like CorelDRAW, you can have a professional-looking layout ready in under an hour.
If you already have your design idea in place, potential timelines could be:
The ideal image size depends on the tote bag's dimensions, but most printing areas range from 10" x 10" to 14" x 16" (25 cm x 25 cm to 35 cm x 40 cm).
If you're printing edge-to-edge, check with your manufacturer for exact print size allowances. Avoid placing key design elements (like text or logos) close to the edges.
To prevent cropping or distortion during printing, leave at least 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) of margin space around the design.
Totes differ in size, but for an average tote, the design should be around 11" wide. Make sure you measure your bag first before making any decisions.
Here is an overview of the recommended sizes for different types of tote bags:
| Type of tote |
Tote size (inches) |
Recommended image size (inches) |
Recommended image size (pixels) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini tote | 10"w x 12"h x 3"g | 6"w x 8"h | 1800 x 2400 |
| Medium tote | 14"w x 12"h x 3"g | 10"w x 8"h | 3000 x 2400 |
| Everyday tote | 13"w x 14"h x 3"g | 10"w x 10"h | 3000 x 3000 |
| Medium grocery bag style tote | 18"w x 15"h x 7"g | 12"w x 11"h | 3600 x 3300 |
| Large grocery bag style tote | 18"w x 17.5"h x 7"g | 12"w x 12"h | 3600 x 3600 |
Printing your design onto a tote bag can be done in several ways, depending on the look, durability, and budget you have in mind.
The most common methods include:
Ideal for bold, high-contrast designs and bulk production. It uses stencils and ink for a long-lasting, vibrant print.
Great for DIY projects, this method involves transferring a printed design onto fabric using heat and pressure.
Iron-on is a simple heat transfer technique that can be done with a household iron.
DTG is best for detailed, full-color designs, and it prints directly onto the fabric like an inkjet printer.
The sublimation method works well on polyester totes, creating a seamless, dye-infused design that won't crack or peel.
With these tips and tricks in mind, you are ready to start designing your next tote bag!
By being aware of the do’s and don'ts of essential elements of tote bag designs, such as the concept, the material, the size, and the timeline, now is your time to shine.
Start putting the theory into practice with a 15-day free trial of CorelDRAW.
Create head-turning tote bags quickly and effortlessly with CorelDRAW. With powerful tools and intuitive features, you can design custom totes in just a few clicks. The next big trend could be yours—start your 15-day free trial by clicking below.
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Emilie Schäfferling is a storyteller who blends data-driven insights with creative expression, turning complex ideas into clear, engaging narratives that make even advanced information accessible to a wide audience.
With a background in creative disciplines, Emilie has a unique skill set that helps her break down complicated concepts into meaningful, concise insights. Her storytelling approach serves a dual purpose: simplifying information while connecting with audiences on a personal level.