Most Popular Custom Bag Styles for Retailers & E-commerce Buyers in 2026

1. Custom Tote Bags: The Versatile Champion

Tote bags remain the undisputed king of custom bags, and for good reason. Their spacious design, comfortable handles, and large printing area make them perfect for showcasing your brand identity. In 2026, we’re seeing tote bags evolve beyond basic cotton designs into innovative variations that cater to diverse consumer needs.

Why Tote Bags Lead the Pack

The enduring popularity of tote bags stems from their incredible versatility. Customers use them for grocery shopping, gym visits, beach trips, daily commutes, and everything in between. This repeated use means your brand gets continuous exposure—a walking advertisement that reaches new potential customers organically.

Modern tote bags come in various materials including organic cotton, recycled polyester, jute, and blended fabrics. Each material offers different benefits: organic cotton appeals to eco-conscious shoppers, recycled polyester provides durability and weather resistance, while jute offers a natural, rustic aesthetic that many brands love.

The Packaging Digest industry reports indicate that customized tote bags with unique designs and quality construction can increase brand recall by up to 75% compared to traditional plastic bags.

2. Drawstring Bags: Lightweight and Practical

Drawstring bags have surged in popularity, particularly among younger demographics and active lifestyle brands. Their lightweight design, compact storage, and easy-to-use closure system make them ideal for events, promotional giveaways, and e-commerce packaging for lighter products.

Perfect for Active Lifestyles

Sports brands, fitness centers, and outdoor retailers have embraced drawstring bags as their go-to custom bag solution. They’re perfect for carrying gym clothes, sports equipment, or casual everyday items. The hands-free carrying option (when worn as a backpack) appeals to on-the-go consumers who value convenience.

In 2026, we’re seeing innovative drawstring bag designs featuring water-resistant materials, separate shoe compartments, and even built-in headphone ports. These functional additions elevate the humble drawstring bag into a premium promotional item that recipients actually use.

E-commerce businesses particularly appreciate drawstring bags for their cost-effectiveness and low shipping weight. They fold flat for storage and can be customized with vibrant, eye-catching prints that make unboxing experiences memorable without breaking the budget.

3. Premium Paper Bags: Sustainable Elegance

Paper bags have experienced a renaissance in recent years, evolving from basic kraft paper designs into sophisticated packaging solutions that exude premium quality. Luxury retailers and boutique stores particularly favor custom paper bags for their elegant appearance and strong sustainability credentials.

The Sustainable Luxury Choice

According to Smithers Pira research, consumer preference for paper packaging has grown significantly as awareness of plastic pollution increases. Paper bags made from recycled content or FSC-certified materials align perfectly with corporate sustainability goals while maintaining a high-end aesthetic.

Modern custom paper bags feature impressive customization options including embossing, foil stamping, spot UV coating, and intricate die-cut handles. These finishing techniques transform simple paper bags into tactile brand experiences that customers associate with quality and attention to detail.

For e-commerce businesses, premium paper bags serve dual purposes—protective shipping packaging and attractive gift-ready presentation. This versatility reduces packaging waste while creating delightful unboxing moments that customers love to share on social media.

4. Non-Woven Polypropylene Bags: The Budget-Friendly Eco Option

Non-woven polypropylene bags represent the sweet spot between affordability, durability, and environmental responsibility. These bags have become incredibly popular among retailers and e-commerce businesses looking for cost-effective reusable bag solutions that don’t compromise on quality or appearance.

Economical and Effective

What makes non-woven bags so appealing is their remarkable versatility. They’re water-resistant, easy to clean, incredibly durable, and available in virtually any color imaginable. The material accepts various printing methods beautifully, allowing for vibrant, full-color designs that make your brand stand out.

These bags typically cost significantly less than cotton tote bags while offering comparable reusability and brand exposure. This cost-effectiveness makes them ideal for large-scale promotional campaigns, trade show giveaways, or retail packaging programs where volume matters.

5. Canvas Bags: Durable and Premium

Canvas bags represent the premium tier of custom bag options, offering exceptional durability, a sophisticated natural aesthetic, and impressive longevity that justifies higher price points. Brands positioning themselves as quality-focused or sustainable increasingly choose canvas bags to reinforce these values.

Investment in Quality

Heavy-duty canvas bags can last for years with proper care, making them genuine investments rather than disposable packaging. This longevity creates prolonged brand exposure—your logo accompanies customers through countless shopping trips, travels, and daily activities.

Research from Packaging World suggests that customers perceive canvas bags as more valuable than other bag types, which positively influences their perception of the brands that provide them. This psychological association makes canvas bags particularly effective for premium product launches and customer loyalty programs.