Universities and students
University bags
Universities, students' unions and societies use printed tote bags for freshers' fairs, open days, graduation and the campus shop. We print them in Leeds in 1 to 4 colours, from recycled giveaway totes to heavier canvas bags worth selling. University departments can pay against a purchase order and invoice.
Where university bags get used
Freshers' fairs
A tote from your stall gets carried round the whole fair and back to halls. Go for a low price per bag and a bold design.
Open days
Applicants leave with the prospectus in a bag with your crest, and the bag goes home with them.
Graduation and alumni
A heavier canvas bag with the crest and the year, sold on graduation day or given to alumni.
Campus shop and SU merch
Totes worth paying for: heavier canvas, organic cotton and colours that match the university.
Conferences and research events
Delegate bags that take an A4 programme, with sponsors on the back.
Societies and sports clubs
Kit bags and totes in club colours, ordered in small runs.
Bags for campus
Light recycled totes for giveaways, and heavier canvas and organic bags for the shop.
Recycled Cotton Tote Bag
Printed from £1.22 +VAT
Sample £0.60 +VAT
Available colours
BlackNaturalOrangePurpleWhiteNavyplus 6 more colours
Cotton Tote Bag Long Handle
Printed from £1.42 +VAT
Sample £0.77 +VAT
Available colours
BlackBottle GreenBurgundyCornflower BlueCranberryKelly Greenplus 42 more colours
Recycled Cotton Marl Tote Bag
Printed from £1.28 +VAT
Sample £1.50 +VAT
Available colours
NaturalGreen MarlOrange MarlRoyal MarlRed MarlSky Blue Marlplus 2 more colours
Recycled Canvas Tote Bag
Printed from £1.76 +VAT
Sample £1.05 +VAT
Available colours
BlackFrench Dark NavyNaturalWhiteSandRose
Premium Recycled Canvas Tote Bag
Printed from £2.12 +VAT
Sample £1.35 +VAT
Available colours
BlackBottle GreenFrench Dark NavyNaturalOxford NavyOrangeplus 10 more colours
Cotton Drawstring Bag
Printed from £2.71 +VAT
Sample £1.84 +VAT
Available colours
BlackBottle GreenBurgundyKelly GreenLavenderNaturalplus 23 more colours
Premium Organic Cotton Tote Bag
Printed from £2.55 +VAT
Sample £1.71 +VAT
Available colours
BlackNaturalWhiteBright RoyalClassic RedFrench Navyplus 2 more colours
Compare three popular choices
Our lowest-price giveaway tote, a cross-body sling with one long strap, and a heavier recycled canvas tote. Swap in any bag to compare.
| Detail | Recycled Cotton Tote Bag |  Cotton Sling Tote Bag | Recycled Canvas Tote Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printed from | £1.22 +VAT | £1.42 +VAT | £1.76 +VAT |
| Sample | £0.60 | £0.77 | £1.05 |
| Size | 38 × 42 cm | 34 × 40 cm | 38 × 42 × 10 cm |
| Fabric weight | 150 gsm | 140 gsm | 280 gsm |
| Material | Cotton | Cotton | Cotton Canvas |
| Capacity | 10 litres | 8 litres | – |
| Colours | 12 | 3 | 6 |
| Express | Yes | Standard only | Yes |
Plan for freshers' week early
Freshers' fairs fall in the same few weeks of September, so the summer is the time to order. Order in July and there's time for a sample, a proof that goes through brand approval, and delivery before the stall goes up.
Standard turnaround is 7 to 10 working days from approved artwork. If the date creeps up, our express range can be printed and delivered from the next working day, up to 500 of each bag.
For what to put inside, see our freshers' giveaway ideas.
Getting it through procurement
University orders usually stall on paperwork, not printing. Sort these first.
- Ask us about paying against a purchase order and invoice, and have the PO number ready when you order.
- Get the crest or logo as a vector file (PDF, AI or EPS) from your marketing or brand team.
- Take the Pantone references from your brand guidelines, so the ink matches your other print.
- Have whoever owns the brand sign off the proof before you approve it.
- Give a delivery address with the building name, a contact and a phone number. Parcels that go through a central post room can take a while to reach you.
- Working to green procurement targets? See our recycled bags, most of them made with GRS certified recycled cotton.
University bag ideas
Recycled Cotton Marl Tote Bag in sky blue marl. 
Recycled Canvas Tote Bag in black, for a cycling society. 
Premium Recycled Canvas Tote Bag in black, for the campus shop.
Questions people ask
Can you print our university crest?
Yes. Send it as a vector file (PDF, AI or EPS) if you can, with the Pantone references from your brand guidelines. We check every file for free and email you a proof, so your brand team can sign it off before anything is printed.
Can we pay by purchase order?
Yes. Universities and other larger organisations can pay against a purchase order and invoice: ask us to set it up. Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay and bank transfer work too. See our payment options.
Do you have recycled bags?
Yes. The Recycled Cotton Tote Bag is made from recycled fabric: 70% recycled cotton and 30% recycled polyester, GRS certified. Our recycled canvas totes and the Recycled Cotton Marl Tote Bag use GRS certified recycled cotton. See all our recycled bags.
Can a society order a small number?
Yes. There's no fixed minimum: prices on each bag's page start from 25, and you can type any quantity. The screen charge is spread over the run, so a smaller run costs more per bag.
Can you deliver to campus?
Yes. We send every order by DPD Next Day to UK mainland addresses. Give the building name, a contact and a phone number, and check whether parcels go to a central post room first.
Are tote bags really better for the environment?
Only if they get used. The Environment Agency (2011) found a cotton bag needs 131 uses to match the climate impact of a single-use plastic carrier bag used once. A bag students like enough to keep is the greener choice, so it's worth spending time on the design. More in our guide: are tote bags sustainable?
Ordering for a university?
Tell us the event, the numbers and your deadline, and we'll help you choose the bag.