High-Impact Event Bags from Mercha: Simple, Sustainable, Effective
Why Custom Event Bags Are a Marketing Powerhouse
Custom event bags are branded, reusable bags that Mercha supplies to businesses across Sydney, Adelaide, and all of Australia. They are used at conferences, trade shows, corporate functions, and community events so attendees can carry materials and giveaways, while your logo travels with them long after the event.
Quick Answer: What You Need to Know About Custom Event Bags
- Serious Brand Visibility: Bags move through offices, airports, gyms, and homes, turning every attendee into a walking billboard for your brand.
- Exceptional ROI: A well chosen bag at around $5 can deliver a cost per impression under 0.2 cents, far outperforming many digital and print channels.
- Long Term Exposure: According to a global study from the Advertising Specialty Institute, recipients keep promotional bags for an average of 11 months, generating thousands of impressions in that time.
- Versatile Bag Types: Totes, conference bags, backpacks, drawstring bags, and cooler bags from Mercha cover everything from trade shows to outdoor activations.
- Material Choices That Match Your Values: Options like cotton canvas, jute, non woven polypropylene, and recycled PET (rPET) help you balance durability, look, and sustainability.
A custom event bag is a first impression and a tangible reminder of your brand, serving as more than just a vessel for brochures. When you choose quality, people actually reuse the bag, which is why promotional bags consistently sit among the highest performing promo items for recall and ROI. Further, research from the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) shows that 73% of consumers are more likely to do business with brands after receiving a promotional product, and bags are among the most visible choices you can make.
Quick custom event bags terms:
Your Guide to Choosing the Perfect Custom Event Bags
Choosing the perfect custom event bags for your business in Sydney or Adelaide starts with understanding your audience and objectives. Mercha's "easy as" online platform lets you filter by style, budget, and eco credentials so you can lock in the right option in minutes.
What Types of Bags Suit Different Events?
The right bag aligns with your event's nature and what attendees will carry. When you pick a style people actually use, your Mercha bag keeps your brand in circulation.
- Tote Bags: A versatile classic for trade shows or conferences, ideal for carrying brochures and samples. Their generous branding area works brilliantly alongside event merch ideas to stand out from the crowd.
- Conference Bags: More structured than totes, with compartments for laptops and documents.
- Drawstring Bags: A casual, lightweight choice for sporting events or welcome kits.
- Backpacks: For multi day conventions, a branded backpack offers comfort and long term reuse.
- Cooler Bags: Ideal for outdoor events or staff BBQs, combining practicality with visibility.
Choosing the Right Materials: From Cotton to Jute
The material of your custom event bags affects how your brand is perceived. According to PwC's 2024 Voice of the Consumer research, over 70% of consumers say they are willing to pay more for products that are produced responsibly.
- Cotton Canvas: Durable with a quality hand feel, ideal when you want your brand to sit in the "kept for years" category.
- Jute: Strong, natural fibre perfect for eco forward brands. Learn more about custom jute bags.
- Non Woven Polypropylene: Lightweight and cost effective for large events.
- Recycled PET (rPET): Made from recycled plastic bottles, supporting circularity. Explore more custom printed eco-friendly bags.
What Are the Benefits of Eco-Friendly Custom Event Bags?

Choosing eco-focused bags through Mercha shapes how customers and partners see your brand.
- Stronger Brand Image: Opting for sustainable materials shows you are serious about corporate social responsibility. Recent consumer research from First Insight confirms that a majority of consumers consider sustainability a key factor in their purchasing decisions, making eco-friendly choices a direct reflection of your brand's values.
- Alignment With Attendee Values: Modern event attendees are increasingly focused on climate impact and waste.
- Higher Long Term Marketing Value: High quality, sustainable bags are less likely to be binned after the event.
Mercha is 100% Australian owned and operated, and we are here to make merch better for you and the world.
Customisation Options to Make Your Brand Pop
Customisation is where your custom event bags become recognisably yours. Mercha's online tools make it simple to upload artwork and approve proofs.
- Screen Printing: Best for bold designs with limited colours.
- Digital Printing & Heat Transfer: Great for intricate or full colour artwork.
- Embroidery: Adds a textured, liftd finish for a polished look.
- Artwork Preparation Made Simple: For crisp results, vector files are preferred. Our guide on what is a vector file and why does it matter for your merch? breaks it down.
How to Order Custom Bags and Maximise Your ROI
Investing in custom event bags is a smart marketing move. Mercha's platform is built so busy event planners can go from idea to delivery without the usual headaches.
How Does Mercha's Easy As Ordering Process Work?
- Choose Your Product: Browse our custom branded bags collection and use filters for bag type, material, and budget.
- Upload Your Logo: Add your logo directly on the product page.
- Customise Online & Checkout: Confirm colours, quantities, and print method.
- Digital Proof Approval: Our local team reviews your order and sends a digital proof.
- Production & Delivery: Once approved, your bags move into production. For urgent timelines, we offer rush custom merchandise for your next event.
What ROI Can You Expect From Custom Event Bags?
When you assess custom event bags, you need to look at impressions, recall, and engagement.
- Exceptional ROI and Brand Recall: PPAI research shows that an overwhelming 99% of people are willing to go out of their way to get a promotional product, highlighting their powerful appeal.
- Long Term Exposure: With an average lifespan of around 11 months, a promotional bag keeps your brand in sight for almost a year.
- Attendee Satisfaction: A well made bag helps attendees manage materials, which improves their experience.
Choosing a local Australian supplier like Mercha means better quality control and faster communication. For a broader view on selecting suppliers, explore the ultimate guide to corporate merchandise suppliers in Australia.
Featured Mercha Products
We offer a diverse range of high-quality custom event bags designed to suit any occasion. Each can be branded with your unique logo, turning a practical item into a powerful marketing tool. Explore some of our popular choices from our custom branded bags collection.
Featured Mercha Products
ICON Little Jim Tote Bag
Meet Little Jim: the compact hero every brand needs. He’s the go-to guy for daily essentials, handling the small stuff with style, speed, and zero fuss. Quick, efficient, and always reliable, Little Jim is like Big Jim’s younger, agile sibling, built to carry what matters without slowing you down.

Sized at 33 x 28 x 13 cm, the ICON Little Jim Tote Bag is made from durable, waterproof nylon, making it perfect for everyday use, events, or on-the-go branding. Just like his big bro, he features an internal zippered “just-in-case” pocket, because being prepared is always on-brand.
Ready to let Little Jim tackle the small but mighty jobs? He’s always up for it.
Add your company logo and make it yours.
Features
- Durable polyester material with reinforced webbing handles
- Compact, functional design for daily essentials
- Internal zippered pocket for secure storage
- Customisable colour options from the colour card
- Size: 33cm (W) x 28cm (H) x 13cm (D)
Legend Life Premium Boat Tote
Delight your customers, prospects, and team members with the Legend Life Premium Boat Tote. A high-capacity classic designed to carry it all.

Crafted from heavyweight 18oz canvas, this tote delivers durability you can feel and quality your brand will be proud to put its logo on. With its timeless boat tote silhouette and sturdy construction, it’s ideal for corporate gifting, event giveaways, and branded team kits where impact matters.
Built tough, styled clean, and made to be used again and again.
Features
- Durable heavyweight 18oz canvas
- Zippered main compartment with generous storage space
- Brass zip puller for a premium finish
- Suitable for a wide range of applications
- Cotton shoulder straps for comfortable carry
- Capacity: 36.2 litres
- Size: 60cm (W) x 35.5cm (H) x 17cm (D)
Premium Heavy Weight Cotton Boat Tote
Delight your customers, prospects, and team members with the Premium Heavy Weight Cotton Boat Tote. A versatile, no-fuss option that delivers both practicality and brand visibility.

Featuring a classic boat tote design and made from durable 10oz cotton canvas, this tote is perfect for outdoor events, corporate giveaways, travel essentials, and everyday use. With a roomy 29L capacity and a handy front pocket, it’s designed for convenience without sacrificing style.
A reliable choice for brands that want their merch used, not stored away.
Features
- Made from premium 10oz heavy-weight cotton canvas
- Classic boat tote silhouette for promotions and travel
- Open main compartment with 29L capacity
- Handy open front pocket for quick-access items
- 305mm handle drop for comfortable shoulder or hand carry
- Size: 500mm (W) x 337mm (H) x 178mm (D)
- Material: 10oz Cotton Canvas
Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Event Bags
How far in advance should I order custom event bags for my event in Australia?
For standard orders, we recommend locking in your custom event bags at least 3 to 4 weeks before your event to allow for artwork approval, production, and shipping anywhere in Australia. If you are short on time, you can use Mercha's rush options with 3 day or 24 hour production after proof approval and payment.
Planning ahead also gives you more choice across materials and styles, which helps you stay on budget and align with your sustainability goals.
Are eco-friendly custom event bags more expensive than regular bags?
Eco friendly options like jute or rPET can sometimes cost slightly more per unit than basic non woven options, but they often deliver higher perceived value and longer use. This can lower your cost per impression over the life of the bag.
Many brands find that the uplift in brand perception and alignment with ESG targets easily justifies the small price difference, especially for key events or VIP audiences.
How can custom event bags help my employer brand and team culture?
When you provide staff with quality branded bags for conferences, offsites, or welcome kits, you signal that you care about the details. Useful merch helps people feel proud to represent your brand and more connected to the organisation.
In a tight talent market, these touches support your broader employee experience strategy alongside onboarding, recognition, and flexible work, helping you stand out as an employer of choice.
Merch Done Right: Simple, Sustainable, Effective
Choosing the right custom event bags is a strategic decision that can significantly impact your brand's visibility, attendee satisfaction, and overall marketing ROI. By understanding the types of bags available, selecting sustainable materials, and leveraging effective customisation, you can create memorable and impactful promotional items. At Mercha, we're dedicated to providing high-quality, eco-friendly options with an easy online ordering process, ensuring your brand stands out at every event in Sydney, Adelaide, and across Australia.
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Uber, Coles, Amazon, and thousands of Aussie small businesses trust Mercha to deliver their branded merchandise, and so can you.