You can get a custom canvas tote bag two ways. Order the made-to-order Custom 15.5x13.5 Cotton Canvas Tote Bag from Marie Gems for $19.99 with a free design proof, or buy your own blank tote and press an 8" ready-to-press DTF transfer onto it for $3.00 at 320°F for 15 seconds with a cold peel.
I run Marie Gems, a DTF transfer shop in Wichita, Kansas, with more than 500 orders shipped and no minimum on any transfer. Two kinds of people shop with me: everyday buyers who want a gift or something personal, and crafters who want the transfer so they can make their own. A custom tote bag has a route for each, so here are both, step by step, with real prices.
Is it better to order a custom canvas tote bag or press my own?
Order one if you want a finished tote without owning a heat press. Press your own if you already have a press and want the lowest cost per bag. Here is how the two routes compare.
| Route | What you pay per tote | What you need | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order the Custom 15.5x13.5 Cotton Canvas Tote Bag | $19.99 for Front Only, Front + Back or Back Only | A logo, artwork or design request. No heat press. | One-off gifts, small business totes, anyone without a press |
| Press a ready-to-press DTF transfer onto your own blank | $2.00 to $4.00 for the transfer, plus the price of the blank | A heat press and a tote that can take heat | Batches, fundraiser totes, crafters and side hustle sellers |
How do I order a custom canvas tote bag from Marie Gems?
Choose a Design Option, leave your design request in the checkout notes and approve the emailed proof before production starts. The Custom 15.5x13.5 Cotton Canvas Tote Bag is 100% cotton canvas, 15.5" tall by 13.5" wide, made to order for small businesses, Etsy sellers and anyone who wants a personalized tote. There are four steps:
- Pick the Design Option: Front Only, Front + Back or Back Only. All three cost $19.99, so adding a back print does not change the price.
- Decide what goes on it. The listing names a logo, artwork or design.
- Leave your logo or design request in the checkout notes when you order.
- Approve the proof. A free design proof is emailed to you, and production starts after you approve it.
The listing only asks for a request in the checkout notes and does not describe sending a file, so if you have a logo file, message me through the contact page before you order.
What size DTF transfer fits a 13.5 inch wide tote bag?
An 8" transfer is a comfortable size for a tote that is 13.5" wide, and 10" is the most I would use on it. The size you order is the longest side of the design, and the artwork keeps its own proportions, per my DTF transfer size guide, so a wide design uses its full listed size across the width.
To check a size, I use what I call the side margin check: subtract the transfer size from the tote width, split what is left between the two sides, and see whether that much canvas looks balanced to you. Here is the math for a 13.5" wide tote.
| Transfer size | Price for one transfer | Canvas left on each side of a 13.5" tote |
|---|---|---|
| 4" | $2.00 | 4.75" |
| 6" | $2.50 | 3.75" |
| 8" | $3.00 | 2.75" |
| 10" | $3.50 | 1.75" |
| 12" | $4.00 | 0.75" |
If your blank is not 13.5" wide, measure it and run the same subtraction.
How do I press a DTF transfer onto a canvas tote bag?
Press at 320°F for 15 seconds with firm, even pressure, let the film cool completely, then cold peel. That is the recommended starting application on my DTF pressing guide, and results vary with your press, your blank and your pressure.
- Check that the tote is made of a fabric that can safely take heat and pressure. The Marie Gems tote is 100% cotton canvas.
- Place the transfer film side up where you want the design. On a 13.5" wide tote, subtract the transfer size from 13.5" and split what is left between the two sides to see how much canvas will show on each side.
- Press at 320°F for 15 seconds.
- Let the film cool, then peel it away.
The full walkthrough is in my guide to applying a DTF transfer at home, and the temperature and time settings guide covers the numbers. If you are still putting a pressing setup together, the heat press, heat press pillows, PTFE sheets and heat tape are on my heat press and sublimation supply list on Amazon. (That is an affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)
What does a batch of five custom canvas tote bags cost?
Five made-to-order totes cost $99.95, which is 5 times $19.99. Five pressed totes cost $13.50 in 8" transfers when you buy the 5-transfer size tier, plus five blanks at whatever price you find them.
The 5-transfer tier at 8" is $13.50, against $15.00 for five single transfers at $3.00. The gap between the two routes is what you pay for a finished tote, a proof you approve first and no need to own a press. Pressing wins on cost as the count climbs.
Can I put a photo on a custom canvas tote bag?
Yes, through the custom transfer route, then press it onto a tote you buy. The Custom 12x12 Ready-to-Press DTF Transfer is for shoppers with their own artwork, logo or photo. It takes your own PNG, JPG or PDF upload at checkout and costs $5.99 for each of six placements: Pocket, Adult Front, Large Back, Youth, Toddler and Sleeve.
Upload the highest-resolution version of your file you have. A PNG with a transparent background works best, and you must own the artwork or have permission to use it. The placements are named for garments, so if you are not sure which fits a tote, ask me through the custom upload page or the contact page before you order.
Want a tote that is already designed instead? Browse the Totes and Bags collection. Making matching shirts too? See my post on a matching family shirt set.