Tote bags and shoppers (open totes) are often underrated as marketing tools for brands. The simple tote can be a mobile billboard that has thousands, if not tens of thousands, of impressions in its lifetime ‒ if done correctly.
Marketing via tote bags has gained a new name over the past few years: bagvertising. Bagvertising is a popular promotional product with seasoned Brisbane marketers due to its affordability, effectiveness and excellent cost per impression versus traditional advertising.
What is Bagvertising?
Bagvertising is not just a bag with a business card. Strong, clever designs will deliver strong, clever results. By working with professional designers and quality printers, you can create exciting test models. Then ‘test drive’ your prototypes and nominate the most effective one as your campaign design.
Choosing Your Bag Components
But which style of bag should you use? There are three main components of a bag:
- Handles
- Body
- Closure
Here are details on their different roles:
- Handles
A bag can have zero handles (a clutch, purse or pouch) or up to four handles. A handle will strongly influence how you will carry the bag and what it will be able to carry, i.e. the weight of the contents, where the strap makes contact with your body (hand, wrist, 1 shoulder, 2 shoulders, across the body) and the distribution of weight. Comfort can be fine-tuned via the contact point and other factors:
Strap Width
As you can well imagine, a broader strap will spread the load over a wider area versus a skinny, spaghetti strap. Therefore, small bags with smaller loads can have smaller handles.
Strap Length
The bag’s function will influence the strap length and so will the style trends du jour. The “strap drop” is the gap created by the strap through which you put your hand, arm or shoulder and, for totes, it is the measurement from the top of your shoulder to the opening of the bag. A longer strap allows you to dig around in the bag while still carrying it on your shoulder. Shorter straps, on the other hand, will give you a greater sense of security.
- Body
The shape, form and size options for a bag are almost infinite, with function strongly influencing the choices. For example, a laptop bag would ideally not be elliptical in shape, but who are we to say no to creativity! Be unique and reflect your brand personality on this promotional product that will possibly be walked the length and breadth of Brisbane.
Bag Bottoms
You can choose to make your tote slim and without a distinctive bottom. If you want your bag to be more versatile, a boxed or gusset bottom will allow it to hold more and possibly stand up independently. The bottom receives the most wear and tear, so the method of its construction will influence its durability.
- Closure
Lastly, the bag opening will define whether your bag contents are secure or easily accessible. Choose between drawstrings, metal snap fasteners, magnets, zips, etc.
Totes are, in the majority, left with an open top with, at the most, a metal snap fastener or magnet. Add a boxed bottom, and you will have a wonderfully versatile tote that will be one of the hardest-working promotional products at your disposal!
Call us to discuss your Brisbane promotional product strategy today!
