Tote bag design ideas: 30+ Creative styles for 2025

Looking to refresh your product lineup or launch something stylish and practical in 2025? A well-crafted tote bag design can help you stand out, sell more, and connect with your audience.

From quirky patterns to sleek minimalism, here’s our list of trending tote bag design ideas.

What is a tote bag?

A tote bag is a large, open-top bag with parallel handles attached to the sides of its pouch. 

Initially designed for practicality, tote bags have evolved into fashion-forward, eco-friendly, and versatile accessories.

Their low production cost, lightweight design, and year-round demand make them ideal for both personal use and custom merchandise.

Upcoming tote bag fashion trends

For 2025, large canvas totes are making a strong comeback as fashion embraces practicality. The focus is on soft shapes, natural materials, and versatility – bags that ‘feel like souvenirs picked up from travels,’ featuring bright patterns that flow around the canvas.

For print-on-demand sellers, that’s a sweet spot. Wide, flat totes are ideal for bold typography, full-bleed prints, and simple designs that turn a functional bag into a personal statement.

Thematic tote bag design ideas

Designing with a specific audience in mind helps your tote bags connect and sell – whether it’s travelers or plant lovers, fans of witty wordplay, or those drawn to mystical, abstract designs. 

Thematic totes offer endless design possibilities and appeal to a broad audience. Use the ideas below as inspiration and add your own spin to create eye-catching, wearable designs.

1. Traveling

Not all wanderlust fits in a suitcase – but it fits perfectly on a tote. In 2025, fashion is leaning into accessories that look like they were picked up on the trip itself. That doesn’t mean printing a photo of the Eiffel Tower – it means capturing the vibe of an idyllic, faraway place.

Think designs that feel like souvenirs: bold folk art, traditional textile patterns, or colorful prints that echo the look and spirit of local handicrafts from around the world.

2. Music

For shoppers who feel connected to their favorite artists or genres, consider incorporating clean visuals like stylized playlist graphics, subtle music notes, or bold typography featuring a short lyric. These grounded, familiar motifs appeal to music lovers without overwhelming the design.

3. Books

Appeal to readers with a short favorite quote, minimalist book icons, or bold typographic layouts featuring popular genres. Clean, bookish designs – like stacked titles or subtle bookshelf illustrations – can speak to readers without overcomplicating the message.

Source: FlyPaperProducts

4. Sports

Sports-themed tote bags are perfect for fans who want a subtle way to show team pride. Stick with clean graphics – varsity lettering, mascot silhouettes, or small icons like baseballs or jerseys. Personalized tote bags featuring specific teams or sports communities are always a win: simple, recognizable, and meaningful to the fans who carry them.

Source: TrendyCraftTX

5. Astrology

Astrology-themed tote bags are still hot – especially with Gen Z shoppers, and nothing screams personal identity like zodiac signs. Try stylized constellations, moody celestial graphics, or tongue-in-cheek slogans like “Virgo rising, coffee first.” Keep it modern, a little mystical, and easy to personalize.

6. Art

Tote bags for artists should look like they belong in a studio – bold, expressive, and bursting with creativity. Play with bright colors, high contrasts, painterly textures, bold brushstrokes, and relevant typography that captures the vibe of an artist’s workspace. It’s a fun way to turn a blank canvas into a wearable piece of art.

7. Plants

Green thumbs, rejoice – plants and tote bags are a natural match. This tote bag design trend is all about earthy tones, botanical illustrations, and clever use of green. It’s a fun way to personalize custom tote bags that customers can carry to the market, the plant shop, or anywhere nature calls.

8. Fashion trends

For fashion-forward shoppers, tote bags are a statement piece. This tote bag design trend thrives on bold choices, from sophisticated stripes to suede prints and bold typography patterns. To stay relevant, keep an eye on trending products and translate them into custom tote bags that feel fresh and wearable.

9. Animals

A pet-inspired tote bag design is a fun way to win over animal lovers – especially when you add a personal touch. Think paw prints, quirky pet doodles, or custom illustrations that capture a dog’s energy or a cat’s curiosity. These custom tote bags give pet parents something special to carry and proudly show off.

10. Humor

Humor is a quick and easy way to make a statement – especially on a tote. Funny tote bag design ideas can turn a basic accessory into a punchline, a mood-lifter, or a conversation starter. For custom tote bags with broad appeal, think snarky one-liners, visual puns, or silly doodles that give your customers something to laugh about every time they carry them.

11. Wordplay

A clever rhyme or cheeky pun is an excellent way to stop someone mid-scroll – or mid-sidewalk. This tote bag design style blends charm and cleverness, making it ideal for gift-giving, playful product drops, or tote bag merch with a personal touch. Sharp wordplay turns a simple accessory into something playful, memorable, and fun to carry.

12. Space

Celestial themes continue to shine in tote bag design, especially among shoppers who love dreamy visuals. A great galaxy tote features swirling stars, nebulas, or planets that pop on a dark background. The options are endless – use the examples below as inspiration and create your own celestial design.

13. Love

Tote bag designs celebrating love don’t need to wait for Valentine’s Day. Hearts, soft color palettes, and line illustrations work year-round to express everything from romance to self-love. It’s a sweet direction for customized tote bag designs with a personal touch – great for gifting or carrying something that feels warm and meaningful.

14. Mindfulness and wellness

This tote bag design trend channels calm, clarity, and intention. Use soft gradients, geometric symmetry, or gentle illustrations like lotus flowers and mandalas to reflect peaceful routines. These designs are great for custom tote bags that resonate with yoga lovers, journalers, and wellness-focused customers alike.

Simple tote bag design ideas

A simple design can make a tote bag truly versatile. Typography, symbols, and art – these are some of the key influences shaping minimalist tote bag merch ideas.

15. Minimalist 

Minimalist tote bag design isn’t about doing less – it’s about saying more with fewer elements. Stick to clean lines, neutral tones, or simple symbols like a single emoji or shape. This aesthetic is a great choice for customers looking for wearable, timeless custom tote bags that still feel expressive.

Source: Lazy Oaf

16. Plain totes

Sometimes simplicity is the style. Plain tote bags – with no text, graphics, or color – highlight the beauty of the fabric and silhouette. They offer a minimalist, elevated look that’s ideal for eco-conscious brands or anyone wanting a blank canvas to pair with a bold outfit.

17. Typography

Typography is a go-to for simple, statement-making tote bags. Short words, punctuation marks, or single letters can pack a punch – especially when styled in bold type or arranged with intention. This approach also works well for company swag, whether you’re showcasing a brand name or creating something playful for a team or event.

18. Line drawings

A minimalist favorite, line drawings are all about restraint and rhythm. Simple illustrations – like faces, flowers, or hands – make for an elegant tote bag design without overwhelming the eye. This is a great way to add artistic flair that feels refined, expressive, and wearable.

Source: BHUROfficial

19. City silhouettes

Tote bag designs featuring iconic skylines are a sleek way to celebrate your favorite city. Use elegant line art or blocky silhouettes to capture urban charm without overcomplicating the layout. These bags work great for travel lovers, tourists, or anyone who wants to carry a little piece of their city with them – whether heading to the office or the coffee shop.

20. Geometric shapes

Geometric shapes are clean, modern, and endlessly adaptable. Whether you go for repeating circles, sharp triangles, or illusion-based layouts, these designs are easily recognizable and visually striking.

Source: ToteLaVie

21. Kindness quotes

Kindness never goes out of style – and a tote is the perfect canvas to spread it. Simple inspirational quotes like “Be kind” or “Good vibes only,” paired with clean design or soft color gradients, can brighten someone’s day. Uplifting messages make thoughtful gifts, spark joy, and remind others (and yourself) to lead with compassion every time you carry them.

22. Eco-awareness

Tote bags were born from the desire to ditch plastic, and the eco-conscious spirit of producing from recycled materials still sells. Use earthy tones and sustainability slogans in your tote bag design to connect with green-minded customers. Whether it’s a simple leaf icon or a full message of climate action, these bags speak to shoppers who want to carry change with them.

Source: ToteLaVie 

Embroidered tote bag design ideas

Embroidery designs are a great source of tote bag inspo, highlighting a move to textured and more sophisticated graphics. Whether you’re creating designs for seasonal moments, weddings, or milestones, embroidered totes offer a polished finish for your entire collection.

23. Beach

Embrace the carefree vibe of beach season with embroidered tote bags in bright, summery tones like yellow, orange, or ocean blue. Decorate with simple motifs – like waves, shells, or sunbursts – to turn a practical beach bag into a sunny seasonal staple.

24. Picnic

Tote bags and picnics are a perfect match. Play up the food theme with bold, embroidered fruit like cherries, kiwis, and bananas. It’s a fresh, fun way to decorate a bag design that’s playful, seasonal, and ready to carry every picnic treat.

 Source: EmbroideryGiftsVN 

25. Coffee

A trusty tote bag is a must for caffeine-fueled mornings. Think embroidered steam swirls, coffee bean motifs, or cheeky slogans like “But first, coffee”. It’s a cozy, practical design for early risers and coffee shop regulars – perfect for carrying your go-to mug, journal, or snack.

Source:​​ sevdeyesdesign

26. Special occasions

Embroidered totes are a great idea for celebrating life’s big moments. These bags can offer a personal touch, from bachelorette parties to baby showers. A personalized design for tote bag embroidery can work well with names, dates, or short phrases that mark the occasion.

Source: CustomHappinessShop

All-over print tote bag design ideas

With sublimation, easily create all-over-print totes that wrap bold visuals around every inch of fabric. It’s the best way to turn a simple accessory into a statement. Use your favorite colors – bright, soft, or clashing – for expansive, expressive, and totally unique designs.

Source: ODAproducts  

27. Floral patterns

Floral patterns are a timeless way to inject color, softness, and personality into a tote. Go for vivid blooms, scattered petals, or even bold abstract floral designs to make your bags pop – especially in spring and summer collections.

Source: PrideRelics

28. Retro patterns

Retro patterns tap into that groovy nostalgia with hypnotic shapes and bold color combos. Think swirling florals, layered waves, and bold outlines that echo the vintage look of 1960s design. Arrange colorful flowers, lines, or shapes in a hypnotic, repetitive pattern.

29. Heart print

This tote bag design trend isn’t just for Valentine’s Day. Heart prints – especially when styled in bold colors, loose strokes, or graffiti-inspired shapes – offer a vibrant, expressive way to show love and personality. They’re great for tote bags that feel romantic, rebellious, or both at once.

Source: Shana Recker Art Shop

30. Gingham print

Gingham is a classic checkered pattern made of horizontal and vertical stripes, usually in white and one contrasting color. Try layering pastel shades like pink, yellow, or lime green, and top it off with a clever quote or inspiring message. It’s a sweet, nostalgic look that adds personality to any bag design.

31. Checkered patterns

Checkered patterns are a bold twist on classic symmetry, offering more edge than gingham but just as much charm. Deep tones like maroon, navy, or espresso brown bring year-round appeal, while black-and-white squares channel that cool, chessboard aesthetic.

Source: TheCreativeCloverCo 

Final thoughts

Ready to create your next tote? With dozens of tote bag design ideas to spark your imagination, you’ve got everything you need to get started with your own designs.

You don’t need a sewing machine to make something bold and sellable – just inspiration and Printful’s print-on-demand services and free design tools. Test layouts, play with color, and personalize every detail in minutes. Your next bestseller might just be a tote away.