Choosing Retail Bags: Bottom Gusset vs Flat Tote Bags
Custom tote bags are an incredible promotional item, but their structural design dictates exactly how much they can carry. If you hand a customer a bag that cannot comfortably hold their items, it becomes an instant frustration rather than a helpful gift. When ordering totes, you must choose between a standard Flat Tote and a Bottom Gusset Tote.
The Simplicity of the Flat Tote
The flat tote is the standard, budget-friendly option for simple giveaways.
- The Structure: It is sewn perfectly flat along the bottom and sides. It lays completely flat when empty, making it incredibly easy to store and ship in massive bulk quantities.
- Best Use Case: It is absolutely great for carrying lightweight items like a single t-shirt, a few paper flyers, or a lightweight promotional pen.
The Capacity of the Gusseted Tote
Adding a gusset completely changes the physics and capacity of the bag.
- The Structure: It features a widened, sewn-in flat bottom, allowing the bag to expand like a grocery sack and stand upright on its own.
- The Benefit: It provides significantly more internal volume and prevents bulky items from poking awkwardly into the sides of the fabric.
The Raven32 Recommendation
Knowing exactly what is going inside the bag is critical. As your printing and promotional experts, our rule is simple. If you are handing out heavy product catalogs, water bottles, or thick binders at a trade show, you must always upgrade to a gusseted bag so it holds more volume comfortably without ripping. Reach out today to build the perfect promotional bag.