Choose custom drawstring bags for events, giveaways and one-day handouts, and choose zippered backpacks for employees, students and clients who will carry the bag every day. Get Custom Backpacks decorates both styles from a minimum of 12, returns a free mockup within 24 hours and can put both in one order when different groups need different bags.
- Drawstring bags suit events and giveaways; zippered backpacks suit daily use and gifts
- Both styles start at a minimum order of 12
- A free mockup of either style arrives within 24 hours
- Standard turnaround is about 2 weeks after design approval
- Drawstring bags and zippered backpacks can be combined in one order
Should I order drawstring bags or zippered backpacks for my group?
Order drawstring bags when the goal is reach: a giveaway, a race packet, a festival handout or a one-day event where every attendee needs something to carry and the bag only has to hold light items. Order zippered backpacks when the goal is daily use: employees, students, clients or volunteers who will carry a laptop, books or gear for months and see your logo every time they pick it up.
Both styles are decorated the same way at Get Custom Backpacks, both start at a minimum of 12 pieces, and both come with a free mockup within 24 hours. The difference is what the recipient does with the bag after the event ends. A drawstring bag is a light, flat, single-compartment carrier. A zippered backpack has padded straps, multiple pockets, a structured body and a closure that keeps contents secure, so it becomes something people commute with rather than something they use once.
The rest of this guide breaks the decision into the questions buyers actually ask: what each style holds, how the logo looks on each, which audiences suit which bag, and when ordering both in one run makes sense.
What is the real difference between a drawstring bag and a zippered backpack?
The real difference between a drawstring bag and a zippered backpack is structure. A drawstring bag, sometimes called a cinch bag, is a single fabric pouch closed by cords that double as shoulder straps. A zippered backpack has a shaped body, separate shoulder straps, zipped compartments and usually a top handle, a back panel and inner organization.
That structure changes almost everything a buyer cares about:
| Factor | Drawstring bags | Zippered backpacks |
|---|---|---|
| Best purpose | Event handouts, race packets, camp and festival use | Daily commuting, school, work, travel |
| Carrying comfort | Cord straps suit light loads for short periods | Padded straps spread heavier loads all day |
| Security | Open at the top once loosened | Zips close each compartment |
| Organization | One main pocket, sometimes a small zip pocket | Main compartment plus front, side and often laptop sleeves |
| Logo canvas | Large, flat front panel | Front pocket panel, with straps and sides as extra spots |
| Storage and shipping | Fold flat, easy to pack into kits | Bulkier, take more room to store and ship |
| Perceived value | Practical, casual handout | Substantial gift people keep for years |
Neither style is better in general. Each one is better for a specific job, and the right choice comes from matching the bag to the way recipients will actually use it.
Which custom backpack style is best for a large giveaway or event?
For a large giveaway or event, drawstring bags are usually the stronger choice. They fold flat, so a stack of them fits behind a registration table, inside a shipping carton or in a volunteer’s car. Attendees can sling one over a shoulder in seconds and fill it with water bottles, snacks, flyers and merchandise collected around the venue.
The flat front panel is also the most generous logo canvas in the whole backpack range. A bold screen-printed logo or event graphic reads clearly from across a room, which turns every attendee into a walking sign for the rest of the day. Sponsor marks can share the panel when an event has partners to credit.
Drawstring bags fit these situations especially well:
- Fun runs, charity walks and race packet pickup
- Festivals, fairs and community days
- Summer camps and youth sports tournaments
- Trade-show booths that want visitors carrying the brand around the hall
- Welcome bags for conferences where the bag mainly holds printed material
Browse the full range on the drawstring and cinch bags page, then request a mockup with your logo on the color you have in mind.
When is a zippered backpack worth choosing over a drawstring bag?
A zippered backpack is worth choosing when the recipient will use the bag every working day and the brand wants to be associated with something genuinely useful. New hires, client gifts, students, field staff and frequent travelers all fall into this group. A well-made backpack keeps your logo on a commute, a campus or an airport for a long time after the handout moment has passed.
Zippered styles also handle things a drawstring bag cannot. A laptop or commuter backpack protects a computer in a padded sleeve. A school backpack carries heavy books on padded straps sized for younger wearers. A rolltop or outdoor backpack suits crews working in rain or on trails, and a travel backpack keeps clothes and documents organized on the road.
The trade-off is volume. Zippered backpacks take more space to store and ship, and they are a more considered purchase per recipient. For that reason, many buyers reserve them for a smaller, higher-value group, such as staff, top clients, board members or award winners, rather than every attendee at a public event.
How does logo decoration differ between drawstring bags and zippered backpacks?
Logo decoration on a drawstring bag usually means a large screen print across the flat front panel, because the thin, uncomplicated fabric takes ink cleanly and the panel offers plenty of room. Embroidery is possible on many drawstring styles, but a bold, simple print is the most common and most readable choice for event bags.
Zippered backpacks offer a smaller main canvas, usually the front pocket, but more placement options. Embroidery suits the thicker fabrics on commuter and travel packs and gives a premium, tactile finish that holds up to daily use. Screen printing works well for larger graphics on flatter front panels. Some buyers add a secondary mark on a shoulder strap or side panel for a subtle second touch.
Practical guidance for each style:
- Drawstring bags: go big and simple, with high contrast between ink and bag color so the logo reads from a distance.
- Zippered backpacks: size the logo to the front pocket, simplify fine details if embroidering and keep the overall look understated for gifts.
- Both: send a vector logo if you have one; Get Custom Backpacks can rebuild a low-resolution file before the mockup.
For a deeper look at methods, read embroidered vs. screen printed custom backpacks.
Can I order drawstring bags and zippered backpacks in the same order?
Yes, ordering drawstring bags and zippered backpacks together is a common way to serve two audiences with one project. A company might hand drawstring bags to every visitor at a booth while giving zippered backpacks to staff working the event. A school program might give drawstring bags to every family at an open house and zippered backpacks to students enrolled in the program.
A split order works best when the branding is consistent across both styles. Get Custom Backpacks can prepare mockups for each bag in the same request, matching logo colors and placement so the two styles look like they belong to the same program. The minimum of 12 applies to each style, which keeps a small premium tier practical alongside a larger handout run.
Tips for a tiered order:
- Decide who receives which style before requesting a quote, so quantities are clear.
- Use the same logo file for both, adjusted for each panel size.
- Pick bag colors that complement each other rather than matching exactly.
- Approve both mockups together so production runs on the same schedule.
How do timing and storage differ between the two styles?
Production timing is the same for both styles: a free mockup within 24 hours of your request, unlimited free revisions, and standard turnaround of about 2 weeks after design approval, with faster turnaround available through express shipping. Nothing is paid until you approve the design, so the comparison between styles can be settled on the mockups before any commitment.
Where the styles differ is everything that happens after delivery. Drawstring bags arrive flat and compact, so a full event’s worth can live in a closet or the trunk of a car, and stuffing them with handouts is quick work for volunteers. Zippered backpacks arrive bulkier and take real shelf space, which matters if they will be stored for weeks before a start date or distributed across several offices.
Plan the handoff as carefully as the order. For an event, note where the boxes will be delivered and who will fill the bags. For an onboarding or gifting program, decide where backpacks will be kept between distributions and whether they will be shipped onward to remote recipients.
Which style makes a better impression for employees and clients?
For employees and clients, a zippered backpack almost always makes the better impression. A recipient reads a structured, well-finished backpack as a real gift, while a drawstring bag reads as event merchandise. When the bag is meant to say thank you, welcome someone to a team or mark a year-end milestone, the extra substance of a zippered style carries the message.
Keep the branding restrained on gift backpacks. A tonal embroidered logo on the front pocket or a small mark on the strap looks considered, and people are more likely to carry a bag that does not look like a billboard. Pair the backpack style with the recipient: laptop packs for office teams, rolltop and outdoor packs for field crews, travel packs for sales staff who live on the road.
Drawstring bags still have a place in employee programs. They work well for company picnics, wellness days, volunteer days and team races, where the bag is part of the activity rather than a keepsake. For gifting ideas built around zippered styles, see custom backpacks for holiday gifts.
What should a first-time buyer ask before choosing between the two?
A first-time buyer should start by asking what recipients will carry and for how long. Light items for an afternoon point to drawstring bags. A laptop, books or daily gear point to a zippered backpack. Everything else in the decision, from logo placement to storage, follows from that answer.
Useful questions to settle before requesting a quote:
- Who receives the bag, and is it a handout or a gift?
- Will the bag be used for a single day or for months?
- How large should the logo be, and does a sponsor need space too?
- Do any recipients need a padded laptop sleeve or weather protection?
- Where will the bags be stored before distribution?
- What date must the bags be in hand?
Share those answers on the custom quote form and Get Custom Backpacks will recommend a style, prepare a mockup within 24 hours and walk through the details on the how it works page.
Frequently asked questions
Are drawstring bags sturdy enough for carrying water bottles at a summer event?
Drawstring bags handle a water bottle, sunscreen, snacks and a few handouts comfortably for a day outdoors, which is exactly what most summer events ask of them. Cord straps are designed for lighter loads, so they suit walking a festival ground rather than hauling heavy gear. Get Custom Backpacks can suggest a thicker drawstring style when attendees will carry more than usual.
Do zippered backpacks cost more to ship to recipients than drawstring bags?
Zippered backpacks take up more room in a carton than drawstring bags because of their padded straps, structured panels and multiple compartments, so shipping volume is larger for the same quantity. Drawstring bags fold flat and pack densely. When comparing styles for a mailed program, ask Get Custom Backpacks to include delivery in your quote so the full picture is clear.
Can a drawstring bag hold a laptop safely?
A standard drawstring bag can physically hold a small laptop, but it offers no padding, no dedicated sleeve and no zip closure, so the computer is exposed to knocks and weather. For anyone who carries a laptop daily, a zippered laptop or commuter backpack with a padded sleeve is the safer choice. Get Custom Backpacks stocks commuter styles built for exactly that job.
Which bag style shows a large event logo more clearly?
A drawstring bag shows a large event logo more clearly because its front is one wide, flat panel with no pockets or zippers interrupting the design. That makes it ideal for bold graphics, event dates and sponsor marks. Zippered backpacks place logos on a smaller front pocket, which suits refined branding better than oversized event artwork.
Should a school program choose drawstring bags or zippered backpacks for students?
School programs should choose zippered backpacks for students who need to carry books and supplies every day, because padded straps and compartments support heavier daily loads. Drawstring bags suit gym kits, field trips, open houses and orientation handouts. Get Custom Backpacks often sees schools order zippered packs for enrolled students and drawstring bags for families at events.
Can drawstring bags and zippered backpacks be made in matching colors?
Drawstring bags and zippered backpacks can usually be ordered in coordinating colors, though exact shades vary between fabrics and styles. Most buyers aim for a complementary pairing, such as the same base color with matching logo ink, rather than an identical match. Get Custom Backpacks shows both styles in the mockup so you can judge the combination before approving.
Is a zippered backpack overkill for a one-day conference?
A zippered backpack can be more than a one-day conference strictly needs, but it makes sense when the audience is small and valuable, such as speakers, sponsors or VIP guests. For general attendees, a drawstring bag usually does the job. Get Custom Backpacks can quote both in one request so the conference can give each group the right bag.
Which backpack style is easier for volunteers to pack with handouts?
Drawstring bags are easier for volunteers to pack because the top opens wide with a single pull, there are no zippers to work, and filled bags stack neatly. Assembly lines move quickly with this style. Zippered backpacks take longer to fill since each compartment must be opened and closed, which matters when hundreds of kits must be ready before doors open.
Do embroidered logos work on drawstring bags?
Embroidered logos work on many drawstring bags, especially styles made from heavier fabric that can support stitching without puckering. Lightweight drawstring fabrics tend to look cleaner with a screen print. Get Custom Backpacks reviews the chosen bag and your artwork, then recommends the decoration method that will look sharpest on that specific style before preparing the free mockup.
How long do recipients typically keep a zippered backpack compared with a drawstring bag?
Recipients generally keep a zippered backpack far longer than a drawstring bag, because it replaces a bag they would otherwise buy and becomes part of a daily routine. Drawstring bags often end up as gym or spare bags. Get Custom Backpacks suggests zippered styles whenever long-term logo visibility matters more than reaching the largest possible number of people.
Can I see mockups of both a drawstring bag and a zippered backpack before deciding?
Get Custom Backpacks can prepare mockups of a drawstring bag and a zippered backpack side by side, both delivered within 24 hours of your request. Seeing your logo on each style makes the decision far easier than comparing catalog photos. Revisions are unlimited and free, and nothing is paid until the final design is approved.
Get a free mockup for your backpacks
Send your logo or idea and the quantity you have in mind. Get Custom Backpacks returns a free mockup within 24 hours, you approve the design before anything is produced, and standard turnaround is about two weeks with faster options available. Get a custom quote.