Custom Drawstring Bags Dubai: Types, Logo Methods and Event Uses (2026)
Custom drawstring bags Dubai event teams hand out have a new job since Dubai banned all single-use bags on 1 June 2024 under Executive Council Resolution No. 124 of 2023: visitors now need a reusable bag to carry what they collect. This custom drawstring bags Dubai guide covers the five main types, which material suits which event, how logos are applied, what to check before you order and what drives the cost. You can see the bags we list in our custom drawstring bags collection.
In short, choose polyester for low weight and bright colours at sports and outdoor events, cotton or cotton and jute for sustainability campaigns and retail, and a drawstring duffle when the bag has to carry real kit. Then pick the logo method that suits the fabric and approve a mockup before production.
What a drawstring bag is (and what else it is called)
A drawstring bag is a simple sack with a cord threaded through the top. Pull the cords and the bag closes; on most designs the same cords become two shoulder straps, so the bag is worn like a light backpack. That is why people search for it under several names:
- Cinch bag or cinch sack: the cord “cinches” the top shut.
- Gym sack or PE bag: the school and gym name for a bag that carries kit and trainers.
- Sackpack or drawstring backpack: the backpack style, worn on both shoulders.
- Drawstring pouch: a small version used for accessories, gifts or packaging.
Whatever the name, custom drawstring bags are among the lightest branded bags you can give, which makes them easy to pack into event kits and easy for people to carry all day.
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5 types of custom drawstring bags Dubai teams order
The material decides how the bag feels, how long it lasts and which logo method works best. These are the five types we see ordered most.
| Type | Feel and strength | Best for | Example in our range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Polyester drawstring bag | Very light, smooth, resists moisture | Runs, sports days, large giveaways | Polyester drawstring bag |
| 2. Lightweight polyester bag | Thin and foldable, packs flat | Delegate packs, school events | Lightweight polyester drawstring bag |
| 3. Cotton and jute drawstring bag | Natural look, firmer handle | Sustainability campaigns, retail | Cotton and jute drawstring bag |
| 4. Cotton drawstring backpack | Soft, breathable, prints cleanly | Conferences, CSR days, staff kits | Cotton drawstring backpack |
| 5. Drawstring duffle | Barrel shape, more volume | Gym members, team travel | Classic drawstring duffle |
Polyester drawstring bags
Polyester is the classic giveaway bag. It weighs very little, comes in strong colours and shrugs off a splash of water or sweat, which suits beach runs, padel tournaments and family sports days. White and light polyester also takes full colour designs well.
Cotton and cotton and jute drawstring bags
Cotton feels softer and reads as more natural, so it suits wellness brands, schools and sustainability campaigns. Our cotton and jute bag is made from a GRS certified recycled cotton and jute mix; if you plan to say “recycled” on the bag, ask for the certificate first, as our guide to rPET and recycled fabric bags explains. The Global Recycled Standard sets the rules for those claims.
Drawstring backpacks and duffles
When the bag will carry shoes, a towel and a bottle, step up to a fuller drawstring backpack or a drawstring duffle. They cost more per piece but get used for months rather than days, so the logo is seen far more often. For padded laptop styles, see our branded backpacks guide.
Which drawstring bag suits your event
Start with the people who will carry the bag and what they will put in it. The right choice for 2,000 runners is not the right choice for 80 conference speakers.
- Runs and sports days: light polyester in a bright colour, one large logo on the front, sponsor logos kept small. Pack the race kit inside before the event.
- Schools and universities: cotton or polyester gym sacks for PE kit and welcome days, with the school crest and a name space if pupils share a changing room.
- Conferences and exhibitions: cotton drawstring backpacks for delegate packs, holding the programme, a notebook and a bottle. Our guides to exhibition giveaways and conference merchandise show what else goes in the pack.
- Gyms and clubs: drawstring duffles or fuller sacks for members, often with the club logo plus a short line on the back.
- Sustainability and CSR days: cotton or cotton and jute, a simple one colour design and no single-use wrapping, in line with Dubai’s rules on single-use bags.
How logos go on custom drawstring bags
A drawstring bag is thin and flexible, so the logo method has to suit the fabric. We confirm the method for each bag on the proof before production.
- DTF transfers: a full colour print pressed onto the bag. It works on both polyester and cotton and handles gradients and small text. Our explainer on what DTF printing is covers how it wears.
- Sublimation: the ink becomes part of white or light polyester, so the print does not crack or peel. It is the choice for edge to edge designs on polyester.
- Direct to garment (DTG) printing: suits cotton bags with detailed, multi colour artwork.
- Embroidery: looks premium on firmer cotton and duffles, but can pucker on very thin bags. Embroidery is priced by the complexity of the design, and the price shows in our design tool.
Keep the logo inside the flat print area, away from the cord channel at the top and the corners at the bottom. Send vector files where you can; our print ready artwork guide lists the checks.
What to check before you order drawstring bags
Two drawstring bags can look the same online and feel very different in the hand. Check these points on every quote.
- Fabric weight: polyester is described by denier (D) and cotton by grams per square metre (gsm). A higher number means a sturdier bag.
- Cords: thicker, rounder cords are kinder to shoulders when the bag is full.
- Corners: reinforced corners or eyelets stop the cords tearing through the fabric.
- Size: check that the bag fits what goes inside, such as an A4 programme, a bottle or shoes.
- Print area: ask for the maximum print size and position, then size the logo to it.
- Colours: match the bag colour to your brand and check the logo contrast on the mockup.
- Packing: ask whether bags arrive flat, folded or pre filled for the event.
- Proof: approve the digital mockup with every logo, colour and position before production.
What drives the cost of custom drawstring bags
The price of a custom drawstring bag depends on five things: the material and its weight, the bag size and style, the logo method and number of colours, the print position (one side or both), and the quantity. Larger orders cost less per piece, and at Impressiful orders of 100 pieces or more can get up to 60% off. For a firm price, send the quantity, the bag type and your logo and we will quote in writing.
Custom drawstring bags Dubai: how to order
Ordering custom drawstring bags with us follows five steps:
- Brief: the event, the number of people, what goes in the bag and your date.
- Bag and method: we suggest a type from our bags and backpacks range and the logo method for it.
- Mockup: you approve a free digital mockup. On confirmed orders you can approve a sample before production; a sample without a confirmed order is chargeable.
- Production: low MOQs, so smaller events are welcome.
- UAE delivery: express in about 3 working days, fast in about 5 working days or standard in about 2 weeks from the order date. Shipping is free on orders from AED 500.
First time ordering? Use the code WELCOME25 for 25% off your first order, and check our promotions page for current offers.
Frequently asked questions
What are those drawstring bags called?
Drawstring bags are also called cinch bags or cinch sacks, gym sacks, PE bags, sackpacks or drawstring backpacks, and small versions are called drawstring pouches. The names differ by size and use, but they all close by pulling a cord through the top.
What is the best drawstring bag?
The best drawstring bag is the one that suits what it will carry. Light polyester is best for runs and large giveaways, cotton or cotton and jute suits sustainability campaigns, and a drawstring duffle is best for gym and team kit. Look for thick cords and reinforced corners whichever you choose.
How much does a drawstring bag cost?
The cost of a custom drawstring bag depends on the material, size, logo method, number of print colours and quantity, and larger orders cost less per piece. At Impressiful, orders of 100 pieces or more can get up to 60% off. Send your quantity and logo through our bulk orders page for a written quote.
Where can I create custom drawstring bags?
You can create custom drawstring bags with a merchandise supplier that prints or embroiders your logo and shows you a mockup before production. At Impressiful you choose a bag, add your design and approve a free digital mockup, with delivery across the UAE.
Get a free quote for custom drawstring bags
Tell us about your event, how many bags you need and your delivery date, and we will suggest the right bag, send a free digital mockup and confirm the price and dates in writing. Need help with the design? Use request a design.
Get a free quote for custom drawstring bags
Prefer WhatsApp? Message +971 52 656 8355. Our office is at Office C1-1F-SF3340, Ajman Free Zone C1 Building, Ajman, UAE, open Monday to Saturday, 9:30am to 7pm.