Every school kid is familiar with drawstring bags. Simple, light and compact, they’re the best way to carry essentials without the need for lugging large school bags around. Even beyond school, a drawstring bag is a much simpler alternative to other shopping merchandise. And the best part is, since they’re so incredibly customizable, they can appeal to all age demographics, across all industries. Hence why they’re perfect for a large scale promotional campaign.

Drawstring bags are jacks of all trades. They can serve as book bags, overnight bags, travel bags, laundry bags, the sky’s the limit. Thanks to the drawstrings, they’re easy to close, and they keep items fairly secure. And since they’re made from accessible materials, they’re incredibly easy to custom make at home. All it takes is some creativity, and even the most inexperienced craftsman can have their own custom drawstring bag.

Another option is to order them ready from online suppliers. GoPromotional offers a wide catalogue of custom drawstring bags that are sure to appeal to every brand, no matter what they sell. Moreover, if ordering from an online store, it’s possible to get some pretty neat discounts, especially on bulk purchases. No matter what route a brand chooses, they’re still guaranteed to get a useful, universally appealing product at a very budget-friendly price.

The Basics of DIY Drawstring Bags

Making anything from scratch may seem like a daunting task, especially for beginners. However, when it comes to drawstring bags, this process isn’t that difficult. It admittedly does require a bit of measuring, cutting and sewing. However, with a little time and patience, it’s possible to create the perfect custom drawstring bag that can rival any store-bought variety.

But before getting down to the actual sewing, it’s important to get the prep work out of the way.

1.   Selecting the Material

The most beautiful fact about drawstring bags is that they can be made from any material. Depending on what they’re intended for, they can be made from cotton, denim, burlap, canvas etc. Each of these materials has their own strengths and weaknesses and contribute to the bag’s overall appearance and feel.

For example, as the king of fabrics, cotton is the most easily accessible and most affordable material option. Our Berkeley Heavy Cotton Drawstring Rucksack is our bestseller in this category. Denim, while being a bit tougher to work with, makes for a very stylish and retro-looking bag. Custom canvas drawstring bags are cheap, yet incredibly durable, while jute drawstring bags are the most eco-friendly, and perfect for larger bags.

Selecting the material also applies to the drawstrings themselves. Cord, ribbon, paracord, leather strips, or thick twine are all solid options, depending on the design and durability of the bag.

2.   Deciding on the Bag’s Size

After materials, the next step in the preparation process is deciding the bag’s size. In the case of a custom drawstring bag, its size will depend on the items that are going to be stored in it. As a general rule, the bag should be at least 1.27- 5 cm larger than the largest item that goes in the bag.

The same applies to length. The bag should be at least 5-7cm longer than the items inside. This extra room will provide plenty of breathing space to keep the items from getting crushed. Moreover, it will ensure that there’s enough room to cinch the bag shut safely, without risking anything falling out.

3.   Adjusting the Drawstrings

Next to the bag, the most important thing about a drawstring bag are the strings themselves. Drawstrings come in a standard 60-63 cm length which may be a bit too long, especially for those on the shorter side. In that case, the best option is to shorten the drawstrings.

Doing this requires first measuring the length of one’s torso and comparing it to the drawstrings to get the appropriate length. To get the most accurate number, it’s best to ask someone to measure the space between the spot where the neck and shoulders meet, all the way down to the hip bones. This number will determine the length of the drawstrings, and ensure the bag is a perfect fit.

Making a Drawstring Bag

After getting through the prep work, now it’s time for the main event — making the bag. The good news is that the whole process takes just a few easy steps.

• Step one: Cut the fabric and drawstrings: based on the previously collected numbers, measure and cut the bag materials and drawstrings.
• Step Two: Assemble and Sew a Hem for the Drawstring: This step will involve turning the fabric, so the backside is facing out. Then, fold two centimetres of fabric both at the top and bottom so that they form a channel. Then pin these channels and begin carefully stitching along the hem’s edge.
• Step Three: Sewing: Once again, lay your stitch fabric with the backside facing out so that the hems match up. Then sew along the sides and the bottom, keeping the hemmed ends open, as this will be the opening of the bag. Once the stitching is done, turn the bag inside out.
• Step Four: Add the Drawstrings: After the bag is evenly stitched it’s time to add the drawstrings. Using a darning needle, thread the drawstrings through the channel at the top. Do this on both ends, leaving enough string to tie at both ends. Then knot them together at the bottom and voila. The perfect DIY drawstring bag is complete.

Ordering a Custom Drawstring Bag

Custom drawstring bags are a fun way to get the ultimate custom made product, while also picking up some sewing skills along the way. However, it’s undeniably a time-consuming process, especially for a company that wants to use them to do large scale promotions. In this case, ordering them online is the smarter option, even if the online option lacks that personal touch.

Still, that doesn’t mean that a preordered drawstring bag can’t be just as beautiful as a hand-made one. The same principles for crafting a hand-made drawstring bag also applies to ordering one. This means that a company should choose the materials, bag size and drawstrings that best reflect their core message. They should also take care to partner up with a skilled designer, to create the most attractive logo design possible.

The patterns that will go on the bag will largely depend on the style, and target demographic a company wants to appeal to. For sports apparel, it’s best to go with classic printed nylon drawstring bags with cool, neutral colours like blue and grey. A more vintage burlap or canvas drawstring bag will be more appropriate for a younger demographic, like teens and new adults. Regardless of the design, the drawstrings will definitely be a hit amongst customers and raise brand awareness or years to come.

Related content:
Printed Drawstring Bags – The Benefits

To Sum Up

Drawstring bags are the ultimate promotional item. With the right material and a bit of patience, anyone can custom make them on their own. Not only that, since they require relatively cheap materials, they’re incredibly budget-friendly. And even if a brand chooses to order the drawstring bags online, they’ll still be getting an eye-catching promotional item all their customers can enjoy.

You May Also Like: 
Branded Jute Bags – Not Only Sustainable, But Also Affordable

Looking for something different? Browse our full range of custom printed bags, and if for any reason you still can’t find what you are looking for, then simply give us a call on 0800 0148 970 or simply email us today. You may also wish to consider complementing your order of drawstring bags with some branded badges or even promotional keyrings which are sure to be well received by customers and employees alike!