How to Sell Custom Tote Bags with Print on Demand: A Step-by-Step Guide

Selling custom products like tote bags is an exciting way to launch your own eCommerce business without having to deal with the complexities of inventory, shipping, and upfront costs. Print on demand (POD) services offer a risk-free way to create, sell, and ship customized products like tote bags without investing in large quantities of inventory.

Tote bags are a popular accessory that serve various functions—whether it’s for carrying groceries, as a fashion statement, or as promotional items. Custom designs make them even more attractive to potential customers, whether they’re used as gifts, merchandise, or personal accessories. This gives business owners the chance to tap into a broad market, from eco-conscious buyers to fashion enthusiasts.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of selling custom tote bags with print on demand. We’ll cover the basics, provide insights into design tips, recommend the best platforms, and offer marketing strategies to make your store successful.

What is Print on Demand (POD) and How Does it Work?

Print on demand (POD) is a fulfillment method where you design a product, such as a custom tote bag, and then have it printed and shipped by a third-party provider only after an order is placed. This model eliminates the need for you to carry inventory or manage shipping logistics. It’s especially ideal for new entrepreneurs or businesses looking to minimize upfront costs and avoid the risks of traditional inventory-based eCommerce models.

How POD Works

• Design the product: You create unique artwork or design ideas for custom tote bags.
• Select a POD provider: Choose a print-on-demand provider that will print your designs on tote bags when a customer places an order.
• Market and sell: Set up an online store, promote your custom tote bags, and start selling.
• Fulfillment: When a customer orders, the POD provider will print and ship the tote bag directly to the customer, usually without you ever handling the product.

Why Choose POD for Custom Tote Bags?

• No upfront investment: You don’t need to buy or store large amounts of inventory.
• Customization and creativity: You have full control over the designs and can cater to niche markets.
• Minimal risk: Since you only pay for items when they’re sold, there’s no risk of unsold stock or over-ordering.
• Scalability: As your business grows, POD services can scale with you, without needing to adjust your supply chain.

Choosing the Right POD Provider for Custom Tote Bags

Selecting the right POD provider is crucial for ensuring high-quality products and customer satisfaction. Many providers offer a variety of tote bag styles, printing options, and fulfillment speeds. Let’s explore some of the best options available for selling custom tote bags.

Top POD Providers for Custom Tote Bags

1. Spocket:
   
   • Features: Offers a wide range of tote bags in various sizes and materials. They also offer printing on both sides of the tote bag, providing more customization options.
   • Integration: Integrates seamlessly with eCommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, making it easy to automate your store and sales process.
   • Quality: Known for high-quality prints and eco-friendly product options.
2. Printify:
   
   • Features: Offers a vast network of print partners, providing various options for custom tote bags. Printify also allows you to compare prices and shipping options from different suppliers.
   • Integration: Supports integration with Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy, among others.
   • Pricing: Offers competitive pricing for smaller businesses and startups.
3. TeeSpring:
   
   • Features: Specializes in custom apparel and accessories, including tote bags. Offers a very user-friendly platform and tools to create and market your products.
   • Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Shopify and other platforms.
   • Unique: Provides a marketplace to help you sell directly to customers.
4. Gooten:
   
   • Features: Known for its high-quality printing and diverse product catalog, including custom tote bags.
   • Integration: Integrates with Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, and more.
   • Quality: Provides reliable print quality and customer service.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a POD Provider:

• Shipping times: Look for a provider that offers fast shipping times to your target market.
• Product variety: Ensure that the provider offers a wide range of custom options for your tote bags.
• Pricing: Compare the pricing of different POD providers to ensure you maintain profitable margins.
• Customer service: Choose a provider known for reliable customer support in case any issues arise.

Designing Your Custom Tote Bags

Creating eye-catching designs is the key to attracting customers to your custom tote bags. The designs you create should reflect the values and interests of your target audience. From minimalist art to bold slogans, the possibilities are endless when designing your custom tote bags.

Design Tips for Custom Tote Bags

• Appeal to your audience: Know who your target customer is. Is it fashion-conscious individuals, eco-conscious buyers, or businesses looking for promotional items?
• Use high-quality images: Make sure your design is clear, crisp, and of high resolution. Low-quality images can lead to poor printing results and negatively affect customer experience.
• Trendy designs: Stay updated with the latest design trends to ensure your tote bags are fresh and relevant. Look at social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration.
• Keep it simple: Sometimes, simple and clean designs work best. Bold typography or simple illustrations can be highly effective.

Tools for Designing Your Custom Tote Bags

• Canva: User-friendly with pre-made templates for tote bags, perfect for beginners.
• Adobe Illustrator: A professional tool for advanced design with full control over your artwork.
• Procreate: Ideal for hand-drawn illustrations and creative designs if you use an iPad.
• Placeit: A design tool that provides mockups of tote bags to preview how your designs will look on the products.

Pricing Your Custom Tote Bags for Maximum Profit

Pricing your custom tote bags correctly is crucial to ensure that you are able to cover costs, remain competitive in the market, and still earn a profit. The right pricing strategy can make or break your business, as it directly affects your sales volume and overall profitability. Here are key factors to consider when pricing your custom tote bags:

1. Consider Your Costs

The first step in setting a price for your custom tote bags is to calculate all of your costs. These will include:

• Production costs: This includes the price your POD provider charges for printing and fulfilling each tote bag. Different POD providers may have different base prices based on the quality, material, and customization options for your tote bags.
• Shipping fees: If you plan to offer free shipping, make sure to factor in the cost of shipping, whether you absorb it or pass it on to the customer.
• Platform fees: If you're selling through an eCommerce platform like Shopify or Etsy, there may be transaction fees, listing fees, or monthly subscription costs.
• Marketing expenses: Include the cost of advertising campaigns, social media promotions, influencer collaborations, and email marketing.

Once you've added up all of these costs, you can determine the minimum price you'll need to cover these expenses.

2. Market Research and Competitor Pricing

It’s essential to research your competitors to understand the going rates for similar custom tote bags. Look at what other sellers are charging for products that are similar in style, quality, and customization options. This will help you set a price that is competitive but still allows you to make a reasonable profit.

Consider:

• Price range: Check out both higher-end and budget options to identify where your product fits in the market.
• Value proposition: Ensure your price reflects the unique selling points of your tote bags. If you’re offering eco-friendly materials, a unique design, or a premium quality tote bag, customers may be willing to pay more.

3. Target Audience

Your target audience will also play a significant role in determining how much you can charge for your custom tote bags. Consider the purchasing power of your customers. Are you targeting budget-conscious buyers, or are you aiming for a more affluent market that values higher quality or unique designs?

• Budget-conscious buyers: If you're selling to a larger audience looking for affordable yet stylish tote bags, aim for a lower price point to encourage impulse buys.
• Niche markets: If you're targeting a specific group, such as eco-conscious shoppers or fashion enthusiasts, you may be able to charge a premium for your products, especially if you emphasize sustainable materials or exclusive designs.

4. Perceived Value and Branding

Your pricing should align with the perceived value of your brand. If you position your tote bags as a luxury or eco-friendly brand, your prices should reflect this perception. A strong brand identity can justify higher prices.

• Branding: Invest in high-quality visuals, consistent messaging, and strong storytelling to make your brand stand out. If your audience associates your tote bags with high-quality materials or sustainable practices, they may be willing to pay a premium.
• Packaging and Presentation: The way your custom tote bags are presented—whether they come in branded packaging or with added extras like care instructions—can also affect how much customers are willing to pay.

5. Profit Margin Calculation

To ensure you’re making a profit, it’s important to determine your desired profit margin. This is the amount you’ll add on top of your costs to generate profit. A good rule of thumb for eCommerce is to aim for a profit margin between 30% and 50%, but this can vary depending on your niche.

Example:

• If your total cost to produce and ship a custom tote bag is $12, and you want a 40% profit margin, you would price the bag at $20.
  
  • Cost: $12
  • Desired profit margin: 40%
  • Price: $12 + ($12 * 0.4) = $20

6. Consider Discounts and Promotions

While it’s important to set a base price, offering discounts and promotions can be a good way to attract more customers and boost sales. You can run seasonal sales, bundle offers, or first-time buyer discounts to increase your conversion rates.

• Discounts: Offering discounts can increase the perceived value and incentivize buyers to purchase.
• Bundles: Consider offering a discount when customers buy multiple tote bags at once, which can help increase your average order value.

Setting Up Your Online Store

Now that you have your designs ready, it’s time to set up an online store to start selling your custom tote bags. Several eCommerce platforms allow easy integration with POD services, enabling seamless selling and order fulfillment.

Best Platforms for Selling Custom Tote Bags

• Spocket: It is a great choice for adding eCommerce functionality. 
• Shopify: A popular eCommerce platform that integrates with various POD services like Printful, Printify, and TeeSpring. 
• Etsy: Known for handmade and unique products, Etsy is a great marketplace for custom tote bags. 
• Big Cartel: A simple platform with a focus on small businesses and independent creators. Ideal if you’re just starting out and want an easy-to-use platform.

Key Steps to Setting Up Your Store

1. Choose a platform: Decide whether you want to sell on your own website (via Shopify or WooCommerce) or on a marketplace like Etsy.
2. Create your store design: Use customizable themes to design a store that reflects your brand and showcases your custom tote bags.
3. Set up payment processing: Ensure you can accept payments from customers through secure methods like PayPal, credit cards, or Stripe.
4. Upload your designs: Add high-quality images of your custom tote bags and include product descriptions that outline the materials, sizes, and features of the bags.

Marketing Your Custom Tote Bags

Once your store is up and running, you’ll need to market your custom tote bags to attract buyers. Effective marketing will drive traffic to your store, increase sales, and build brand awareness.

Marketing Strategies

• Social Media Marketing: Platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook are great for showcasing your custom tote bags with visually appealing photos. Use relevant hashtags and engaging captions to attract potential buyers.
• Influencer Marketing: Collaborate with influencers who have a strong following in your niche. Whether it’s fashion, sustainability, or eco-consciousness, influencers can help introduce your custom tote bags to their audience.
• Paid Advertising: Use Facebook and Instagram ads to target specific audiences based on interests, demographics, and behavior. Sponsored ads can give you a quick boost in visibility.
• SEO: Optimize your product pages with relevant keywords related to your custom tote bags to rank higher in search results. This will help customers find your products organically.
• Email Marketing: Build an email list and send promotional offers, new product launches, or special discounts to engage your audience.

How Spocket Can Help: Integrating Spocket with your Shopify or WooCommerce store allows you to find suppliers for other custom products, including tote bags. You can expand your product range and keep your offerings fresh and exciting.

Managing Orders and Customer Service

A smooth order management process is key to customer satisfaction. Once you start getting orders for your custom tote bags, it’s important to manage them efficiently and handle any customer inquiries or issues professionally.

• Order Management: Use apps like Orderhive or Shopify’s built-in tools to track orders and manage fulfillment seamlessly.
• Customer Support: Respond quickly to customer inquiries and provide clear information about shipping times, return policies, and product details. Offering excellent customer service helps build brand loyalty.
• Returns and Exchanges: Establish a clear return and exchange policy to reassure customers and ensure smooth transactions.

Conclusion: Start Selling Custom Tote Bags with POD

Selling custom tote bags using print on demand is a fantastic business opportunity that allows you to tap into the growing demand for personalized products. 

By designing unique and creative custom tote bags, setting up an online store, and effectively marketing your products, you can build a successful business that resonates with your target audience. With the right tools and strategies in place, you can start earning money and growing your eCommerce store with ease.