A canvas tote is useful when it fits the things you actually carry and sits comfortably on your shoulder. Before picking the artwork, check the bag's dimensions, shape and straps. A nice print does not make your laptop smaller, unfortunately.
At Lonely Kids Club we print tote designs to order in Sydney. This guide uses our own printed canvas tote bags to explain what to compare for work, shopping, a day out or a gift. Start with the job the bag needs to do, then find a drawing you want to take with you.
Printed canvas tote bags to compare
The artwork is only one difference between these bags. The current listings include Carrie, Parcel and Shoulder Tote formats. The custom pet tote lists a 42 × 42 cm body; Cute-Tea lists 37 × 46 cm. Check the individual listing and photos for the bag you choose rather than carrying those dimensions across the whole range.
| If you are choosing for… | Start here | Listed format and useful detail |
|---|---|---|
| Their own pet | Badly Drawn Pet Tote | Carrie Tote; 42 × 42 cm; one pet per item |
| A tea person or someone who likes a small pun | Cute-Tea Tote | Shoulder Tote; listed at 37 × 46 cm; cream |
| Bridget Farmer's bird illustrations | Be With The Birds Tote | Carrie Tote; denim, cream or black options |
| Someone especially fond of finches | Diamond Firetails Tote | Parcel Tote; cream; art by Bridget Farmer |
| Australian bird humour | Flamin' Galah Tote | Carrie Tote; art by Claire Harrison |
| A housing-politics statement | Abolish Landlords Tote | Carrie Tote; Purplepingers collaboration, art by Claire Harrison |
How to choose the right tote bag size
Put your everyday things together before browsing: wallet, keys, water bottle, book, lunch, headphones or laptop in its case. Measure the largest item, then consider the room needed around it. A bag can be tall enough for an object while still being awkward to pack once your other things are in there.
Compare dimensions in centimetres rather than descriptions such as “large”. Also look at the base. A flat tote and a bag with a gusset hold bulky items differently: a gusset adds depth. Width and height alone do not tell you whether a lunch container will sit flat, or whether the bag will feel comfortable against your side.
For work, university or a laptop
Measure your laptop with its case on and account for the charger and anything else you take. Check for a closure, padding and pockets separately. A canvas tote with one large compartment is a different choice from a structured laptop bag with dedicated protection. The Badly Drawn Pet Tote listing specifies one large main compartment, rather than a padded laptop section. A protective sleeve can help organise your things, but check that the complete setup fits.
For groceries, books or a day out
A few library books and your lunch need a different shape from a bulky grocery shop. Consider the depth of the base and how much the bag will press outwards when packed. Keep smaller things together in a pouch if the bag has one main compartment. If your usual load is already uncomfortable to carry in one hand or on one shoulder, a larger tote alone will not solve that.
What makes tote straps comfortable?
Look at how the straps attach, how broad they are and where the bag will hang. Reinforced attachment points are useful construction details; the distance between the top of the bag and the top of the handles affects whether it fits over your shoulder. A bag that works with a T-shirt can feel tighter over a coat.
If you have a tote that feels good, compare it with the product photos and any published strap measurements. Think about your usual load as well as the empty bag. Keep heavier objects near the bottom and avoid having one hard corner press into your side. Several small items are often easier to organise than one awkward object filling the whole bag.
The totes in the comparison above list 320 GSM cotton canvas and reinforced shoulder straps. GSM means grams per square metre: it describes fabric weight. It is not a carrying-capacity rating. These product listings do not give a tested kilogram limit, so do not infer one from the fabric weight or the phrase “extra large”.
Choose tote artwork for the person carrying it
For a bird person
Bridget Farmer's Be With The Birds Tote and Diamond Firetails Tote bring her bird artwork to bags in different listed formats. Bridget is a printmaker and author/illustrator who grew up in Northern Ireland and now lives in rural Victoria. Choose the drawing they enjoy, then compare the actual bag format and colours. Flamin' Galah Tote is Claire Harrison's more overtly Australian bird joke, featuring a galah. If you know their favourite bird, that is a useful starting point for the gift.
For a tea person
Cute-Tea Tote carries Nichameleon's smiling teacup, heart and tea-pun lettering. It is a cream Shoulder Tote, so check that format as well as the drawing. It works when you know their tea order better than their clothing size. Our tea lover gift guide compares it with tees using different tea artwork.
For someone whose pet runs the house
The Badly Drawn Pet Tote uses one uploaded photo of one pet. Our in-house illustrators turn it into a deliberately wonky portrait, which we print in Sydney. Choose a clear, high-resolution photo with the pet easy to see; a good smartphone photo is fine. This is the Badly Drawn style, rather than a realistic portrait service.
No artwork preview is sent before printing. For two pets, order separate items and provide one photo for each. Allow extra time for the illustration stage before delivery. These are useful things to know before choosing a custom tote as a surprise gift, especially if the recipient has strong preferences about how their pet is drawn.
For someone who wants their bag to say something
The Abolish Landlords Tote is part of our Purplepingers collaboration, with artwork by Claire Harrison. Choose it because you know the person would enjoy carrying that message. A statement on a bag becomes part of their everyday wardrobe, so their taste matters more than your own opinion of the joke or reference.
Check care, production and delivery
Follow the care instructions for the particular bag. Cotton canvas and a printed illustration both need consideration when cleaning; check the label before machine washing or tumble drying, and keep an iron away from the print. A substantial-feeling fabric is not permission to use any cleaning method.
We print the artwork in Sydney on a blank bag manufactured separately. Production happens before delivery. Check the current production and shipping information for your destination and deadline. Custom pet portraits take longer than standard artwork, and an order is sent together when all its items are ready. Read the returns policy for conditions and listing-specific exceptions before buying a gift.
Questions about buying a canvas tote
Which tote bag is best for everyday use?
The useful starting point is your actual load: its size, shape and weight, followed by shoulder comfort. Compare the dimensions and compartment layout before choosing the artwork. A larger bag is useful only if its proportions work for what you carry.
Is 320 GSM a tote bag weight limit?
No. GSM describes the fabric weight per square metre. The featured listings specify 320 GSM cotton canvas, but do not publish a tested carrying limit. Straps, construction and the shape of the load matter too.
Will these totes fit a laptop?
Compare your laptop and protective case with the selected bag’s actual dimensions, allowing room for your other things. Check padding and closure separately. Body dimensions alone do not establish laptop protection.
Is a tote a good gift when I do not know their clothing size?
Yes, it avoids choosing a tee or hoodie size. Still match the artwork and bag format to how they use a bag. A custom pet tote also needs a suitable photo and time for illustration.
Can I put two pets on a Badly Drawn Pet Tote?
The current product is strictly one pet per tote, using one uploaded image. Order separate items for several pets. No artwork approval preview is sent before printing.
Compare the full canvas tote range or, if clothing is the better gift, read our funny T-shirt gift guide. Pick the useful bag first. The artwork is the part that makes it theirs.
