30+ Tote-ally Awesome Tote Bag Design Ideas

If you’re looking for some fresh tote bag design ideas for your print-on-demand business or yourself, you’ve come to the right place!

In this blog post, we’ll explore lots of ideas—from bold patterns to minimal drawings—to inspire your next tote bag design. Whether you want to appeal to a niche audience, explore new trends, or promote your brand, there’s a tote bag design for every occasion.

Ready to gather some inspo? Read on for 30+ design ideas to spark your creativity!

Tailored tote bag design ideas

A good way to get your creative juices flowing is to picture who you’re designing for. Having an audience in mind can help create purposeful, unique designs. From music fans to art buffs, here are some creative ways to capture people’s interests. 

1. Travelers

Globetrotters who frequently travel to new places and want to carry around a piece of their memories will enjoy a travel-themed tote bag design, such as a vintage world map. 

It’s also fun to capture a particular feel of a place. This Golden State tote bag features some of the major state symbols—the California poppy, the California redwood tree, and the famous grizzly bear. 

The best thing? With some research and the benefits of custom tote bag printing, you could adapt the design for any state you like!

2. Music fans

A music-themed tote bag will appeal to a wide range of music fans, regardless of whether it’s pop, rock, metal, or classical music that they’re into.

For design ideas that appeal to different interests, one way to go is to customize the minimalist music player design. It’s a familiar aesthetic that’s easy to personalize to suit particular tastes. Alternatively, get creative with sheet music, like the design with a heart made of music symbols. 

3. Avid readers

Book lovers will have practical use for reading-inspired tote bags. When carrying around books, make sure the design reflects the joys of reading. For example, this tote playfully explains that  “it’s not hoarding if it’s books,” which resonates with everyone who loves to read and collect books, instead of frequenting the library. 

Source: FlyPaperProducts

4. Sports fans

Tote bags are perfect for expressing your views without saying a word, especially when it comes to showing support. Case in point: it’s a great way to carry around your love for a sports team or your passion for the game. 

Baseball fans will appreciate this “Love Baseball” tote, but you can get creative and offer a wide design range that also appeals to basketball, volleyball, and football fans.

Source: TrendyCraftTX

5. Astrology lovers

Astrology has become an obsession among Gen Z shoppers and is now a huge industry with far-reaching social media trends. The astrological signs play right into Gen Z’s love of personalized products and speak directly to their personality types. 

Even clothing brands like Stradivarius have released an astrology-themed tote bag line. If you’re keen to attract a Gen Z audience, it’s worth leaning into this niche interest and making it a part of your shop offering. 

6. Art buffs

Let’s not forget how practical tote bags are, so why not let their true purpose speak for itself? Take inspo from this design boasting “Art supplies” written in vivid, bright colors. This way, artists can have a place for their tools and supplies while repping a bold, artsy design.

Alternatively, go for a typography design with an original twist for those who love minimalistic designs.  

7. Plant enthusiasts

A tote bag for your plant shopping adventures? Yes, please. This design with a monstera illustration is the perfect bag for plant lovers. 

If custom illustrations are not your thing, you can win over plant enthusiasts with a simple design and clever use of color. Try picking a couple of green tones (like olive and sage green), make sure they go well together, and let the colors be the centerpiece of your design. 

8. Trendsetters

If you’d like to appeal to a fashion-conscious audience, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for the latest fashion trends. Customers might be looking for popular motifs and prints on various trending products, including tote bags. 

As an example, let’s explore the mushroom print trend that’s become popular in the last couple of years. Famous designer brands, including Alexander McQueen, have been adding mushroomy looks to their designs. This trend follows the rise in psychedelic-inspired styles and the so-called “dopamine dressing” which is all about optimistic fashion and bright color choices. 

9. Pet owners

Drawing inspo from pets is a fun way to create unique, artsy designs that appeal to both cat and dog people.

To add personality to your design, incorporate elements that reflect the playful, independent, curious nature of pets or let your customers personalize it with their pet’s name.  

Thematic tote bag designs

From the whimsy of humor and wordplay to the mystical allure of cosmic patterns, thematic totes offer endless design possibilities and appeal to a broad audience. Get inspired by these thematic examples and add your own unique spin to your tote bag designs.

10. Humor

Who doesn’t love a good joke? Jokes on totes can be great conversation starters and make people laugh and feel good. 

Humor makes for great gifts that combine function, creativity, and laughs in one awesome package. Plus, it’s a great source of inspiration for multiple new designs—as long as you have plenty of funny jokes up your sleeve.

11. Rhymes and puns

Add a playful twist to your tote bag designs with clever rhymes and witty puns.
Ideal for gift-giving or simply toting around town, these bags are designed to be as functional as they are fun.

The design possibilities are vast and can be seamlessly blended with other tote bag design ideas, whether it’s animals, plants, mushrooms, or patterns. 

12. Galaxy

Design totes that are out of this world! Featuring designs of planets, stars, and mesmerizing nebulae, these bags are perfect for space enthusiasts who appreciate both science and art. Whether jetting off to work or just daydreaming under the stars, these cosmic creations will add a touch of galactic charm.

The options are nearly endless—take inspiration from the examples below and create your own celestial design. 

13. Love

Celebrate love in all its forms with a collection of totes that feature heartwarming motifs and romantic messages. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any day when you want to spread a little love, these bags are adorned with hearts, roses, and sweet sayings that resonate with anyone touched by romance. 

14. Mindfulness and wellness

Tap into the growing popularity of mindfulness practices with tote bags that reflect the essence of tranquility and well-being. Featuring designs like mandalas, lotus flowers, and soothing color palettes, these designs are increasingly favored by those seeking to infuse peace and mindfulness into their routines.

Simple tote bag design ideas

Having 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 designs.

15. Minimalist 

Minimalist designs aim for simplicity. They emphasize only the most essential design elements, making it a popular choice for shoppers looking to invest in wearable, timeless pieces. 

This tote bag features a reversible design with two different expressions: happy and sad. It’s a clever, simple design that’s made up of simple dots and a curved line, which can be flipped depending on the mood.

For your design, take advantage of simple and popular symbols, like emojis, to convey a direct message in a minimalist fashion. 

Source: Lazy Oaf

16. Typography

It’s also a popular choice to opt for typography or words that are positioned in a visually appealing way. Signs like the “ampersand” are especially popular in minimalist typography designs. 

Short, snappy words like “Ok!” and “Cool!” are also favored design choices. What’s more, big and bold letters are great options to use as promotion, like company swag with brand names on totes.

17. Line drawings

Abstract line drawings are simple, elegant, and expressive. Their muted style makes them a trendy design choice for minimalists, adding some flair to an outfit without being too flashy.

Source: BHUROfficial

18. City silhouettes

Embrace the minimalist charm of urban landscapes with tote bags adorned with elegant line drawings of famous city skylines. This design concept captures the architectural beauty and iconic profiles of major global cities, reflecting the distinctive essence of places like Paris, Berlin, or Tokyo.

Whether heading to the office, a coffee shop, or on a plane to another urban destination, these designs serve as a chic declaration of wanderlust and architectural admiration. 

19. Geometric shapes

A classic design choice is to go for geometric shapes—lines, circles, and squares. To add a twist, think about shapes that form optical illusions, like this impossible triangle. This way, even a simple design can become a conversation starter.

Source: ToteLaVie

20. Spread kindness

Picture this: you’re walking down the street and see someone carrying a tote bag that says “Be kind.” Wouldn’t that make you smile and maybe even inspire you to do a nice thing for someone else? That’s the power of positive messages. They can lift your mood and the mood of those around you. 

So why not design a tote bag with a positive message? Start by brainstorming uplifting phrases or inspiring quotes. You never know who might need a little encouragement or a friendly word.

21. Eco-awareness

In their origins, tote bags were introduced as an environmentally-conscious option, an alternative to plastic bags. Typically, shoppers who care about the environment will have a wide range of tote bags to grab on the go.

If you align with eco-friendly practices and want to cater to this audience, try to include a spirit of activism in your designs. This design underscores the sustainability of tote bags and inspires people to take daily small steps toward environmental protection.  

Source: ToteLaVie 

Embroidered tote bag design ideas

If you’re thinking about creating tote bags for occasions like beach trips or summer picnics, choosing an embroidered design is the way to go! Embroidery naturally elevates a simple look. 

You could also try out designs that address a specific customer need. For example, you could sell tote bags with custom embroidery for special occasions (weddings, graduations, anniversaries, etc.). Explore more examples below.

22. Beach

It’s a good idea to embrace that carefree summer vibe when designing tote bags for carrying beach essentials. Think about using colors that are bright and warm, like yellows, oranges, and reds for your designs. For example, a simple embroidered typography design that says “Summer” will embody the cheery spirit of beach days.

As an alternative, you could go for a bright blue design inspired by the ocean waves, like this tote bag with blue floral embroidery.

23. Picnic

Picnics and tote bags go hand in hand when it comes to summer fun. Tote bags are practical for carrying around food, so why not go all in on the food theme for your design? 

For inspo, check out this fruity tote bag with colorful fruit embroidery that pops against the canvas. The bright green kiwi, popping red cherry, and yellow banana embroidery details make for a fresh and fun way to carry picnic essentials.  

 Source: EmbroideryGiftsVN 

24. Morning coffee run

A trusty tote bag can be a good companion even on your morning coffee run. For early morning errands, go for a design that speaks to coffee lovers who just can’t start the day without their morning brew.

Source:​​ sevdeyesdesign

25. Special occasions

Custom embroidery is a personalized and thoughtful way to celebrate a milestone. Plus, by selling designs that appeal to a specific niche (like weddings, birthday celebrations, and baby showers), it’s much easier to relate to your customers’ needs.

For example, a personalized bridesmaid tote bag is a great way to show appreciation and love for friends who are supporting the bride by carrying around wedding essentials (and snacks!).

Source: CustomHappinessShop

All-over print tote bag design ideas

For bold designs, an all-over print tote is perfectly poised to become a stylish customer favorite. It’s an awesome way to show off your custom artwork on a tote bag or have fun designing funky seam-to-seam patterns.

26. Animal print

A classic animal print can add some flair and attitude to your tote bag design. Don’t know where to start? Pick a well-loved pattern like a leopard, zebra, tiger, or snake print. You could also try going for something more unusual like a giraffe, cheetah, or cow all-over print. 

Source: ODAproducts  

27. Floral patterns

One of the most fun ways to create a unique tote bag design is to go for floral patterns.

When it comes to spring and summer, floral arrangements are great for adding a pop of color to any style. Floral patterns are often the go-to design choice for beach bags and large totes. You can opt for colorful, abstract floral designs, or even mix and match different types of flowers. 

Source: PrideRelics

28. Retro patterns

Looking back to the 1960s psychedelic prints, retro patterns stand out because of their abstract shape and defined, dark outline. To add this vintage look to your designs, arrange colorful flowers, lines, or shapes in a hypnotic, repeat pattern. 

29. Heart print

Heart prints styled into colorful, uneven shapes make up another trend to consider. This graffiti-inspired funky style goes beyond Valentine’s Day celebrations and will appeal to shoppers looking for a splashy, modern look. 

Source: Shana Recker Art Shop

30. Gingham print

Another much-loved summer trend that’s not going anywhere—gingham print. It’s a cute design choice for picnics or nature walks that can be made your own. Think about adding a quote or an inspirational message for a unique, multi-layered design. 

For a summer style, choose light pastel tones like pink, yellow, or lime green.  

31. Checkered patterns

A variation on the gingham print, a checkered pattern in darker shades is a versatile tote bag look. For a classic style that works year-round, pick brown, maroon, or navy blue shades. 

The black and white checkered pattern could also be a fun choice, especially if you’d like to imitate a chessboard pattern. Why? To appeal to a growing audience of chess enthusiasts (here’s looking at you, Queen’s Gambit fans!). 

Source: TheCreativeCloverCo 

Final thoughts

Hopefully, this list of ideas has sparked your creativity and inspired you to come up with your own design ideas! To make the most of this creative process, dare to experiment with colors, patterns, and fonts to create unique, eye-catching totes.

If you’re unsure about your design skills, it’s worth trying out Printful’s Design Maker. With free access to different fonts, clipart, and templates, it’s never been easier to turn your ideas into reality and preview how a design looks on different types of tote bags.

Now on to you! Let your creativity soar and have fun designing.