Embroidered Bags, Totes, Backpacks & Aprons
Totes, duffels, backpacks, drawstring bags, aprons. Port Authority, Augusta, Liberty. Event swag, restaurant uniforms, gift bags, brand merch. Real machine embroidery in Huntington, NY.
Bag Types We Embroider
Canvas Totes
The event-swag default. Cotton canvas embroiders beautifully - tight weave holds dense designs. Most-ordered bag category by a wide margin.
Duffels / Gym Bags
Polyester (600D / 900D) shells. Placement options limited by zippers and straps - we will work around the construction.
Backpacks
Front panel placement standard. Some backpack frames limit hoopable area - send a photo or stop by and we will assess.
Drawstring Bags
Lightweight polyester. Most-ordered for school, gym, and event giveaways. Quick turnaround.
Aprons
Restaurants, baristas, retail. Chest-area embroidery, sometimes paired with embroidered names. Wide range of styles - bib, half, full-body.
Wine Bags / Gift Bags
Common for restaurant and hospitality gifts. Small embroidery area but very high perceived value when stitched.
Cooler Bags
Lined insulated bags require careful placement. We often recommend a sewn-on patch as an alternative to direct embroidery for cooler bags.
Cinch Packs / Sport Packs
Polyester drawstring sport packs. Light, fast, common at sports events and 5Ks.
Embroidery Considerations on Bags
Bags are the most placement-sensitive category we work in. Unlike a polo or jacket where the chest area is universally hoopable, every bag style has its own constraints: liner construction, gusset depth, strap interference, internal frames, zippers, and pockets all factor into where embroidery can physically happen.
Lined bags require the same lining-slit technique we use on lined jackets - open behind the embroidery area, stitch the outer shell only, close the lining with matching thread.
Gusset depth matters because deep gussets push the embroidery surface away from a flat hoop angle. Flat-profile bags (like canvas totes) are easiest; deep-gusseted messenger bags require careful framing.
Strap interference can limit placement on backpacks and duffels. We pick spots where the strap does not pass through the embroidery surface.
Placement Options
Tote / Bag Front - $15
Standard center-front placement on totes, gym bags, drawstring bags. Up to 7 inches wide.
Apron Chest - $10
Left-chest-style placement on bib aprons. Up to 4 inches wide. Often paired with a personalized name above the logo.
Backpack Front - $12
Front center panel above the lower pocket. Up to 5 inches wide. Subject to frame and seam constraints on specific backpack models.
Strap / Small Patch Area - $10
For bags where the only flat area is a strap or small accessory pocket. Up to 3 inches wide. Often used for monograms or small icons.
Best Bag Brands
- Port Authority. The broadest catalog - totes, duffels, backpacks, gym bags, drawstring sacks. Consistent stock and broad price tiers.
- Augusta Sportswear. Strong on athletic and event bags. Affordable, reliable.
- Liberty Bags. Event swag favorite. Wide tote and small-bag selection at low price points.
- BAGedge. Premium heavyweight canvas totes. Excellent for retail-tier merch.
- Q-Tees. Heavy canvas totes and aprons. Restaurant and craft-shop standard.
All available through On The Island Apparel (OTIA) at wholesale pricing. You can also supply your own bags.
Common Use Cases
Bag Embroidery Pricing
$125 digitizing waived on orders over $150. Full pricing.
Bag Embroidery FAQ
Can you embroider on lined or insulated bags?+
Yes, with the same approach we use on lined jackets: open a small slit in the lining behind the embroidery area, embroider the outer shell only, then close the lining with matching thread. Adds a small handling fee per piece. For insulated cooler bags we sometimes work around the lining entirely by adding a sewn-on patch instead - that decision happens during the proofing call.
Are there limits to where you can embroider on a backpack?+
Yes - the strap structures, internal frames, and zippered pockets define what areas are hoopable. The front panel above any frame structure is almost always workable. Side and top panels depend on the bag construction. Send a photo of the bag and we will confirm placement options.
Do you embroider on aprons?+
Yes, aprons are one of our most-ordered bag-category items - particularly for restaurants and coffee shops. Chest-area embroidery is the standard placement (4-inch max width, similar to a left-chest logo on a polo). We also handle bib aprons, half aprons, and full-body aprons.
What is the best bag brand for embroidery?+
Port Authority is the broadest line - totes, duffels, backpacks, gym bags, and drawstring bags in a range of weights and price tiers. Augusta and Liberty Bags cover the event and trade-show categories. For premium retail-tier totes, BAGedge and Bella+Canvas offer heavier canvas options that embroider beautifully.
Can you embroider on a polyester duffel?+
Yes. Polyester duffel fabric (the standard 600D / 900D weights) embroiders cleanly. We use tear-away backing on woven polyester and a sharper needle to handle the tighter weave. The challenge with duffels is usually finding a flat, hoopable area between zippers, straps, and end caps - we will recommend placement based on the specific bag.
Stitch Your Brand On Anything
Call (631) 458-3842 or upload online.