Who Uses Custom Backpacks?
Backpacks are one of those products where the use case determines everything. A drawstring bag for a summer camp and a padded laptop pack for a new hire are two completely different orders, and the pricing, imprint method, and timeline will be different too. Here's who typically orders branded backpacks from us and what they tend to go with.
Corporate Teams & Employees
Onboarding kits, company retreats, employee appreciation. A laptop backpack in the $15-$40 range (embroidered backpacks are the most popular option here) is the kind of gift that people actually use every day. We've had companies reorder the same bag three years running because new hires keep asking where the backpack came from.
Schools & Universities
Orientation week, spirit stores, athletic departments. Schools usually land on drawstring bags for volume orders (under $2 each on the budget end) and school backpacks with logo for staff or incoming students. We did a 600-unit order for a university orientation last fall - the drawstring bags came out to about $1.75 each with a one-color screen print.
Trade Shows & Event Organizers
Drawstring bags are the default here. Lightweight, cheap enough to give away by the hundreds, and people actually use them on the show floor to carry the other stuff they picked up. Your logo ends up visible all day. For higher-end conferences, a structured backpack in the $8-$15 range makes more of an impression.
Nonprofits, Clubs & Camps
Summer camps, youth groups, charity events. Budget matters here and drawstring bags deliver. A nonprofit running a back-to-school drive can put their logo on 500 bags for under $1,000 total. Camps like them because kids can stuff towels, snacks, and water bottles inside without needing zippers they'll break.
We carry over 500 backpack styles. That sounds like a lot to sort through, but most orders fall into one of five categories.
Laptop Backpacks
Padded compartment, multiple pockets, structured design. The Base Jump 17" Computer Backpack is one of our top sellers in this category. These run $15-$50 per unit and the front pocket gives you a big, flat imprint area. Corporate buyers order these more than anything else we carry.
Drawstring Backpacks
The volume play. Drawstring bags start around $1.04 per unit and top out around $5 for nicer materials. Schools, camps, trade shows, fun runs - anywhere you need hundreds of bags without spending much. Not the most durable thing in the world, but for event giveaways they're hard to beat on cost.
Multi-Compartment / Premium
The Oakley Kitchen Sink Backpack is the one people ask about by name. Multiple storage sections, padded back panel, serious capacity. Tumi and other premium brands are in here too, ranging from $100 up to $600+ for executive-level gifts. This is the tier where the bag itself is the gift.
Eco-Friendly Backpacks
Recycled polyester, organic cotton, RPET materials. If your company has sustainability goals (or just wants to look like it does, honestly), these back up the message. They cost a bit more per unit than standard polyester but the story they tell is worth it for the right audience. CSR programs and green-focused events order these.
Specialty: Water-Resistant & Insulated
Water-resistant coatings for outdoor events and commuters who don't trust the weather forecast. Insulated compartments for food and drinks. Padded laptop sleeves for tech-heavy teams. These are niche features but when the use case calls for them, a standard bag won't do.
Before you pick a bag, run through this list. Most returns and reorders we see happen because someone didn't think through one of these before placing a 200-unit order.
Size: Drawstring bags are compact (great for events). Standard backpacks hold a laptop and a day's worth of gear. Oversized packs work for travel or outdoor use. Match the bag to what people will actually put in it.
Material: Polyester and nylon are the workhorses - durable, lightweight, affordable. Canvas has a more premium feel. RPET and recycled materials for eco-conscious buyers. Water-resistant coatings are worth the upcharge if the bags will be used outdoors.
Compartments: Laptop sleeve, water bottle pocket, front organizer pocket, internal zip pocket. Corporate buyers care about this a lot. Event giveaway buyers usually don't.
Comfort: Padded straps and ergonomic back panels matter on bags people will carry loaded. On a drawstring bag? Not really a factor.
Color: Most styles come in 5-15 color options. If you need a specific Pantone match, ask us. Some manufacturers can do custom colors on larger runs.
The imprint method depends on the bag material and how you want the logo to look. Here's what we offer and when each one makes sense.
The go-to for corporate branded backpacks. Stitched directly into the fabric, so it won't fade, crack, or peel. Looks professional and holds up through years of daily use. Costs more per unit than printing but the quality difference is obvious.
Corporate favoriteBold, clean results on flat surfaces. Works well on drawstring bags and the front pockets of standard backpacks. Cost-effective for larger runs with one or two ink colors. Most event and school orders go this route.
Best for volumePhoto-quality reproduction of complex logos, gradients, and multi-color artwork. If your logo won't simplify to two or three spot colors, this is how you keep it looking right. Works on most fabric types.
Complex logosFront pocket is standard and gives you the most visible real estate. Some styles support side panel or strap printing. We verify placement and sizing during the proof stage so nothing looks off-center or undersized on the finished product.
Proof includedSingle or double-sided printing depends on the bag style. Free digital proof on every order - you see your custom printed backpack before we produce the full run. If something looks off, we revise it. No charge for that.
Backpack pricing covers a wider range than most promo categories. A drawstring bag and a Tumi are both "backpacks" but they're not even in the same conversation. Here's how it breaks down.
Under $5.00 Each
Drawstring bags, basic sport packs. The Youth Hit Sports Pack starts at $1.04 per unit. These are your trade show handouts and camp giveaways. Simple, functional, and at 500 units you're spending under $750 for the whole order. We move a lot of these every spring.
$5.00 to $30.00 Each
Standard backpacks with real structure. Laptop compartments, multiple pockets, padded straps. This is where school backpacks and mid-tier corporate orders land. Embroidered logos look especially good at this price point because the bag quality justifies the nicer imprint method.
$30.00 and Up
Brand-name packs (Oakley, Tumi, High Sierra, Carhartt), high-capacity travel bags, insulated options. Executive gifts, top-performer incentives, VIP event swag. The Oakley Kitchen Sink runs around $95. Tumi starts north of $300. At this tier, the bag is the gift.
Per-unit pricing drops as quantity goes up - that's automatic on every product page. Minimums vary by style, usually 12-150 units. For bulk branded backpack orders we can source overseas to cut costs further, though lead times will be longer. Contact us for custom quotes on big runs.
Same process as everything else we sell. Pick your bag, send us a logo, approve the proof, we produce and ship.
Browse by style, price, or material. If you're ordering for 50 people and not sure what fits, call (866) 856-7063 and we'll narrow it down based on your budget and use case.
Any standard file format. Our graphics team resizes and adjusts for the imprint area if needed. No charge.
We email a mockup showing the logo on the actual bag - placement, size, thread colors for embroidery, ink colors for screen print. Nothing goes to production until you say it's right.
5-10 business days on most styles after proof approval. Rush production is available on select products if you're working against a deadline.
A branded backpack is a walking billboard that the recipient actually wants to carry. That's rare in promo products - most items sit in a drawer after the event. Backpacks don't. Here's what makes them work:
- Daily use, high visibility - backpacks go to work, to class, on vacation, to the grocery store. Your logo travels with the recipient everywhere.
- Strong ROI math - a $20 laptop backpack used 300 days a year is $0.07 per impression. A $1.50 drawstring used 30 times is $0.05. Both beat digital ads.
- Builds team identity - when 50 employees show up to a company event with the same backpack, that's visible cohesion. Schools and sports teams figured this out years ago.
- Versatile across industries - corporate, education, healthcare, fitness, government, nonprofits all order these
- Feels like an actual gift - people keep backpacks on purpose. They don't feel like freebies, which means the brand association is positive instead of tossed-in-a-drawer
- Eco-friendly options - recycled polyester, RPET, and organic cotton bags are available for brands that prioritize sustainability
- Reusable for years - most bags hold up for 2-5+ years of daily use, giving your logo a much longer shelf life than disposable giveaways
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for other branded bags? Check out our cosmetic bags with logo, branded shopping bags, and promotional tote bags for more options.
