01
Audience
Think about who will receive the bags. Students, professionals, sports participants and general exhibition visitors may have different expectations and everyday uses.
Trade Show & Exhibition Guide
How to Choose Drawstring Bags for Trade Shows and Exhibitions
The right promotional bag can help organise event materials, support visitor engagement and keep your brand visible throughout an exhibition. Learn what to consider when selecting drawstring bags for your next trade show or business event.
Trade shows and exhibitions are busy environments where businesses compete for attention. Promotional merchandise can give visitors something useful to remember a brand by, but choosing the right product requires more than simply selecting the cheapest option.
Drawstring bags can be particularly useful because they provide space for branding while giving attendees a convenient way to carry brochures, samples and personal belongings around a venue. GoPromotional describes its printed drawstring bags as suitable for promotional use, with a large print area and a broad selection of colours and styles. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
This guide explains the main factors to consider before ordering, from material and size to branding, audience and the way the bags will be distributed.
Start With The Basics
6 Things to Consider Before Ordering
A simple selection process can help you avoid choosing a promotional bag that looks good but does not fit the event.
02
Event Type
A corporate exhibition may call for a different style from a university open day, charity event, festival or industry conference.
03
Branding Area
Consider how prominently your logo and campaign message need to appear. A clear, well-positioned design is easier to recognise across a busy venue.
04
Material
Compare available materials based on the desired look, intended use, campaign positioning and budget rather than selecting by appearance alone.
05
Capacity
Think about what visitors are expected to carry. If the bag will hold brochures and samples, size and construction become especially important.
06
Quantity
Estimate expected visitor numbers and allow enough stock for your distribution plan without ordering blindly beyond the needs of the event.
Trade Show Drawstring Bag Checklist
Before confirming an order, run through these practical questions. They can help connect the product choice with your exhibition objectives.
Will visitors actually use it?
Practicality should be one of the first considerations when selecting promotional merchandise.
Is the branding easy to recognise?
Avoid overly complicated artwork that becomes difficult to see when the bag is being carried.
Does it suit the event?
Match the style and presentation to the tone of the exhibition and your target audience.
Can it carry event materials?
Consider brochures, catalogues, samples and other items visitors may collect during the day.
Does the design support your campaign?
Use brand colours, logos and concise messaging to create a consistent promotional identity.
Does the quantity match your plan?
Base the order on expected distribution and the way the event will be managed.
Selection Guide
How to Choose the Right Style
Work through each factor before making your final promotional bag decision.
01
Decide What the Bag Needs to Do
Start with the function rather than the logo. Will attendees use the bag mainly to carry exhibition literature, or do you want them to continue using it after the event? A clear purpose makes the rest of the selection process easier.
Tip: If your booth distributes brochures and
samples, choose a format that can comfortably accommodate the
materials visitors are likely to collect.
02
Compare Materials and Finishes
Promotional drawstring bags are available in different materials. Current GoPromotional listings include polyester, cotton, recycled polyester, non-woven and other options, giving businesses room to select a style based on campaign requirements. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Tip: Think about the impression your material
choice creates and whether it matches your brand positioning.
03
Think Carefully About Size
Bigger is not automatically better. A very large bag may be unnecessary for an exhibition where visitors only need to carry leaflets, while a small bag may become inconvenient if attendees collect product samples or catalogues.
Tip: Make a short list of the items you expect
visitors to carry and use that as a practical size reference.
04
Plan the Branding Before Ordering
Your logo needs enough visual space to remain recognisable. Keep the artwork clean and consider how it will look when the fabric folds, moves or is carried over a shoulder.
Tip: Prioritise your logo and one key message
rather than trying to place every piece of company information
on the bag.
05
Match the Bag to Your Brand
The product should feel connected to your business. A clean, professional brand may favour a restrained design, while a youth, fitness or festival campaign may suit a more energetic visual approach.
Tip: Use existing brand colours and typography
where possible so the bag looks like part of your wider marketing
system.
06
Plan Distribution at the Booth
Decide whether every visitor receives a bag or whether bags are reserved for qualified leads, customers, competition winners or specific event activities. A distribution strategy can make the merchandise more purposeful.
Tip: Consider using the bag as part of a
conversation starter rather than simply placing it on a table.
Quick Comparison
Match Bag Characteristics to Your Event
Use this framework to identify the priorities that matter most for different exhibition situations.
| Event Situation | Priority | Bag Characteristic | Branding Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large Trade Show | Visibility | Clear Print Area | Bold Logo |
| Corporate Conference | Professional Look | Quality Finish | Clean Branding |
| University Event | Everyday Use | Lightweight Style | Recognisable Design |
| Sports Exhibition | Practicality | Easy-Carry Format | Energetic Artwork |
| Product Launch | Campaign Recall | Distinctive Design | Launch Identity |
| Charity Event | Message Visibility | Useful Carrying Option | Cause + Sponsor Branding |
Make the Bag Part of the Exhibition Experience
The strongest promotional merchandise does not feel disconnected from the event. Instead, it supports what attendees are already doing. Drawstring bags can help visitors carry information, samples and merchandise while providing another physical touchpoint with your brand.
Before the Event
Match the bag to your campaign identity.
Match the bag to your campaign identity.
At the Booth
Use it to organise visitor materials.
Use it to organise visitor materials.
During the Event
Encourage practical use around the venue.
Encourage practical use around the venue.
After the Event
Design for continued everyday visibility.
Design for continued everyday visibility.
Drawstring bags can also be combined with other products to create a more complete exhibition package. When planning your promotional strategy, explore how GoPromotional supply branded event giveaways that can complement a trade show, conference or exhibition campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing Drawstring Bags for Exhibitions
Why are drawstring bags useful at trade shows?
They give visitors a convenient way to carry brochures, samples and other materials while providing a visible branded item that can move around the venue.
What size drawstring bag is best for an exhibition?
The best size depends on what attendees are expected to carry. Consider your brochures, catalogues, samples and other materials before selecting the format.
What material should I choose?
Compare materials according to your budget, desired appearance, audience, campaign positioning and intended use rather than choosing on material name alone.
How should I brand a drawstring bag?
Keep the logo prominent and the design simple. A clear visual identity is generally easier for attendees to recognise as they move around a busy exhibition.
Should every exhibition visitor receive a bag?
Not necessarily. Some businesses may give bags to all visitors, while others may use them for qualified leads, customers, competition winners or specific activities.
Can drawstring bags be used after the event?
Yes. Their usefulness can allow them to continue being carried after the exhibition, potentially extending the visibility of the original promotional campaign.
Choose for the Event, Design for the Future
Choosing drawstring bags for trade shows and exhibitions is about finding the right balance between practicality, branding, audience expectations and campaign goals. Start by deciding what attendees need the bag to do, then consider its size, material, visual design and distribution strategy. A well-selected promotional bag can make it easier for visitors to carry event materials while keeping your brand visible throughout the venue and potentially beyond it. When the product is genuinely useful and the branding is thoughtfully designed, a simple drawstring bag can become a valuable part of your exhibition marketing strategy.