At French Press Custom in Santa Fe Springs, a custom canvas tote bag with a 1-color logo on one side costs $7.58 per bag at 50 bags and $4.89 per bag at 250 on a natural Liberty Bags 8502. A heavier 12 oz Q-Tees Q800 runs $8.63 at 50 and $5.94 at 250. Prices are per printed bag, before tax.
Every price on this page comes from the same pricing engine as our quote calculator, using live wholesale prices for the blank bag. Screen setup is already included in the per-bag figure. Totes are one size, so there are no 2XL style size upcharges; the bag colour can change the price, and darker bags need an extra white underbase screen. For the full service overview, see our custom tote bags in Los Angeles page.
Which canvas tote should you pick?
Four totes cover most of what Los Angeles businesses, nonprofits and event teams ask us for: a light giveaway bag, a sturdier everyday bag, a gusseted bag that holds groceries or a laptop, and a retail-style zip tote.
| Tote | Fabric | Size (W x H, gusset) | Handles | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Bags 8502 Branson | 6 oz/yd², 100% cotton canvas | 14 1/2 x 15 1/2 in, flat, folds flat | 22 in self-fabric | 5 (Natural, Black, Navy, Royal, Red) |
| Q-Tees Q800 Promotional Tote | 12 oz/yd², 100% heavy cotton canvas | 14 x 16 in in colours, 15 x 16 in in Natural, flat | 20 in canvas webbed, 9 in drop | 25 |
| Liberty Bags 8503 Isabella | 12 oz/yd², 100% cotton canvas | About 14 3/4 x 14 3/4 in, 4 1/2 in square bottom gusset | 24 in webbed, reinforced stress points | 5 (Natural, Black, Navy, Royal, Red) |
| Comfort Colors CCET0 Everyday Tote | 10 oz/yd², 100% cotton canvas, pigment dyed, zipper top | 14 1/4 x 13 1/2 in, 4 1/2 in deep | 22 in self-fabric, 10 in shoulder drop | 10 |
Fabric weights, handles, gussets and colours are from the S&S Activewear catalog data we price from. Bag sizes for the 8502 and 8503 are from the published Liberty Bags product listing at Fullsource (8503 listing), the Q800 size is from the Blankstyle Q800 listing (plus or minus 1 in), and the CCET0 size is from the Comfort Colors CCET0 spec sheet.
What the weights mean in practice: a 6 oz bag like the 8502 is light, folds into a welcome kit and suits one-day events. A 12 oz bag like the Q800 or 8503 stands up better, holds its shape when full and is the one people keep using. The CCET0 is a retail product with a zipper, priced like one.
How much does a 1-color tote cost at 50, 100 and 250?
One-color logo, one side, per bag before tax. Natural canvas skips the white underbase; black needs it.
| Tote and colour | 50 bags | 100 bags | 250 bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Bags 8502, Natural | $7.58 | $5.92 | $4.89 |
| Liberty Bags 8502, Black | $9.60 | $7.54 | $6.26 |
| Q-Tees Q800, Natural | $8.63 | $6.97 | $5.94 |
| Q-Tees Q800, Black | $9.98 | $7.92 | $6.64 |
| Liberty Bags 8503, Natural | $10.10 | $8.44 | $7.41 |
| Liberty Bags 8503, Black | $13.52 | $11.46 | $10.18 |
| Comfort Colors CCET0, Ivory | $25.17 | $23.51 | $22.48 |
| Comfort Colors CCET0, Black | $26.21 | $24.15 | $22.87 |
Screen printing starts at 36 bags per design. At exactly 36, the natural 8502 is $9.88 per bag and the natural Q800 is $10.93.
What about 2 colors, both sides, DTF or embroidery?
Here is the Q-Tees Q800 in Natural, our most requested tote, with every option priced the same way: per bag, before tax, setup included.
| Decoration on a Natural Q800 | 50 bags | 100 bags | 250 bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen print, 1 color, one side | $8.63 | $6.97 | $5.94 |
| Screen print, 2 colors, one side | $9.67 | $7.61 | $6.33 |
| Screen print, 1 color on each side | $13.29 | $10.19 | $8.27 |
| DTF transfer, one side | $7.35 | $6.35 | $5.46 |
| DTF transfers, both sides | $11.50 | $9.50 | $7.72 |
| DTG full color, one side | $15.20 | $11.20 | $9.20 |
| Embroidery, up to 5,000 stitches | $11.98 | $10.21 | $8.63 |
The embroidery row already includes the one-time $45 digitizing fee spread across the bags. We keep the stitch file, so a reorder of the same logo skips it.
A few things stand out:
- A second side costs more than a second color. At 50 bags, a 2-color front is $9.67 per bag, while 1 color on each side is $13.29, because the bag goes through the press a second time with its own screens.
- DTF is competitive on canvas. On a natural Q800, one DTF transfer prices below a 1-color screen print at every quantity here, and it carries unlimited colors. A DTF transfer up to 12 x 14 in is the standard price; larger transfers add $1.50 per bag.
- DTG is for photos and small runs. It has no minimum, so a single Natural Q800 with a full-color print is $23.20. It costs more per bag than the other methods at volume.
- Embroidery suits heavier canvas. A stitched logo on a 12 oz tote reads as a premium gift. It is less common on a 6 oz bag, where the thin canvas gives the stitches less to hold.
What size can the print be on a tote?
Plan on a print area of about 10 in wide by 12 in tall on a standard flat tote. That is the suggested imprint area Q-Tees lists for the Q800 in the Blankstyle listing, and it leaves clear canvas around the handle stitching at the top and the seams at the sides and bottom.
- Flat totes (8502, Q800): the full face is printable inside that margin. A 10 x 12 in design reads well from across a room.
- Gusseted totes (8503, CCET0): the print sits on the front face. The gusset folds in, so keep the art centered on the face rather than wrapping toward the sides.
- Zip totes (CCET0): the zipper and the top band take space, so we usually place the art a little lower.
- Small logos: a 3 to 4 in mark in a bottom corner, or on the back, is a common second location for retail and merch bags.
If you are not sure, send the art and the bag style. Your free digital proof shows the exact size and placement before anything prints.
What artwork works best on canvas?
Canvas has a visible weave, so bold artwork wins.
- Solid shapes and 1 to 3 spot colors print cleanly with screen printing and keep the price low.
- Very thin lines and very small text can break up on the weave. Thicken hairlines and keep body text large.
- Photos, gradients and many colors belong on DTF or DTG, where color count does not change the price.
- Natural canvas is not white. It is undyed cotton, and the S&S description for the Q800 notes that the flecks you see are cotton fibers and seeds. Colors print slightly warmer on it than on a white bag.
- Pigment-dyed bags vary a little. Comfort Colors notes slight color variation from bag to bag on the CCET0, and its spec sheet says white ink on garment-dyed cotton needs special consideration.
Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF or SVG) give the sharpest result. Our artwork preparation guide covers file types and color counts.
Our take
For most Los Angeles giveaways, the Natural Q-Tees Q800 is the bag we recommend first. At 50 bags it is $8.63 against $7.58 for the 8502, but the 12 oz canvas feels like something worth keeping, and it comes in 25 colors if you want to match a brand.
One shop-floor detail changes a lot of tote quotes: on black, navy, red or royal canvas we print a white underbase under your ink so the color stays bright, and the quote adds that screen automatically. On a 1-color Q800 order of 50, that is the difference between $8.63 on Natural and $9.98 on Black. If budget matters more than bag color, natural canvas with dark ink is the lowest-cost combination.
Canvas totes lie flat on the press and stack flat afterward, which keeps production simple. See screen printed tote bags, DTF tote bags and embroidered tote bags for each method, and corporate swag employees actually want to wear if totes are part of a larger welcome kit.
Ordering from Los Angeles or Orange County
- Where we are. 14130 Rosecrans Ave, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, serving Los Angeles and Orange County.
- Minimums. DTG none, DTF 12, embroidery 24, screen printing 36 pieces per design.
- Timing. About 2-3 weeks after art approval. Rush available depending on the schedule. Tell us your date.
- Contact. Mon-Fri 8am-4pm PT, (562) 407-3800, sales@frenchpresscustom.com.
Price your tote bags now, or switch the style to the Liberty Bags 8502 to compare.
Frequently asked questions
How much do 100 custom tote bags with a logo cost in Los Angeles?
At French Press Custom, 100 Natural Q-Tees Q800 totes with a 1-color logo on one side are $6.97 per bag before tax, or $5.92 per bag on the lighter Liberty Bags 8502. A 1-color print on each side of the Q800 is $10.19 per bag.
What is the lowest-cost way to print 250 tote bags?
On a Natural Liberty Bags 8502, one DTF transfer is $4.41 per bag and a 1-color screen print is $4.89 per bag at 250. Choose natural canvas and keep the art to one side for the lowest price.
Can I order a small number of custom tote bags?
Yes. DTG has no minimum, so one full-color Natural Q800 is $23.20. DTF starts at 12 bags, embroidery at 24, and screen printing at 36 per design.
Can you embroider a logo on a canvas tote bag?
Yes. A left-side or center logo up to 5,000 stitches on a Natural Q800 is $11.98 per bag at 50 and $8.63 at 250, including the one-time $45 digitizing fee. Heavier 10 to 12 oz canvas is the best base for stitching.
How big can the print be on a tote bag?
Plan on about 10 x 12 in on a standard flat tote such as the Q800. DTF transfers up to 12 x 14 in are standard price, and larger ones add $1.50 per bag.
Why do black tote bags cost more to print?
Dark canvas needs a white underbase under the ink so colors stay bright, which adds a screen. A 1-color print on 50 Q800 totes is $8.63 per bag on Natural and $9.98 on Black.
How long do custom tote bags take?
About 2-3 weeks after art approval. Rush is available depending on the schedule, so tell us your event date when you ask for a quote.
