Which type of waterproof bag should you brand?
The right bag depends on what goes inside it and how wet it will get, so start with the job. A roll-top dry bag handles phones, keys and a towel on a paddle or beach day. A duffel or backpack carries a full change of clothes or a laptop through rain, and a wet bag does the opposite job by keeping damp things away from dry ones.
| Type | Examples in the range | Best for |
| Roll-top dry bags | Aqua Dry Bag in 5, 10, 15 and 20 litres, Waterproof Dry Bag 2L | Paddling, boating, beach days, giveaways at water events |
| Wet bags and pouches | Brighton Wet Bag, Esprit PVC Pouch, RPET Waterproof Bag | Swimsuits, gym gear, documents, phones and wallets |
| Waterproof duffels | Narvik Waterproof Duffel in 35L and 65L, Nautilus Waterproof Duffle 110 | Travel, surf trips, club and team kit |
| Waterproof backpacks | Trident 2.0 Waterproof 32L Backpack, Bombora 32L V2 Wet/Dry Backpack | Bike commuters, hikers, field staff |
| Laptop carriers | Waterproof Laptop Carrier | Staff gifts, wet-weather commutes |
Waterproof or water-resistant?
A waterproof bag has welded seams and a roll-top or sealed zip, so water stays out even when the bag is dunked. The Narvik duffel is made from TPU with heat-welded seams and a welded waterproof zip, and the Trident backpack uses a roll-top closure you roll three to four times before clipping. Water-resistant bags such as the Brighton Wet Bag use stitched ripstop that sheds splashes, which is fine for damp swimmers and no use for a river crossing. Tell us what the bag has to survive and we'll point you to the right one.
If you're handing out one bag to a crowd, our drawstring bags are a lighter alternative when the contents don't have to stay dry. For full days out, our beach bags give you more room.
How do you print a logo on a waterproof bag?
Waterproof fabrics such as PVC tarpaulin and TPU are coated and smooth, so the logo sits on the surface. For one or two brand colours, screen printing is the usual choice because the ink is solid and the cost stays low across a run, and you can read more on our screen printing page. For a gradient or a multi-colour logo, a DTF transfer reproduces the detail. Our artwork team confirms the method on your proof.
We wouldn't embroider a welded bag. A needle punches holes in the very fabric that keeps water out, so print or transfer is the better route. The product pages offer one, two or three decoration positions, and the proof shows where the logo sits relative to the seams, which on many roll-top bags run down the back or base.
For most event and club orders, we'd pick a 5 or 10 litre dry bag with a one-colour screen print on the front panel. It's big enough for a phone, wallet and towel, the flat panel suits a logo, and the single colour keeps the setup simple. Light bag colours take a dark logo and dark bags take a light one, and you can supply Pantone references for brand colours.
Ordering waterproof bags
There's no minimum, so a surf club can order a dozen dry bags or a council can order a thousand. Each job has a one-off setup for the logo, which is why the price per bag falls as quantities rise, and many products show quantity pricing on the product page with the quote confirming the branded price. You'll see a free proof before anything is made, and nothing goes into production until you approve it. Large duffels are quoted with freight, so ask for the delivered figure.
Who buys promotional waterproof bags?
- Surf life saving, paddling and sailing clubs hand dry bags to members. The bag goes on every trip for years, so the logo travels to every launch ramp and beach.
- Tour and hire operators, such as kayak or snorkelling businesses, give guests a bag to keep. It protects their phone during the tour, and it keeps the operator's name in the car park, on the boat and on social media afterwards.
- Employers add a waterproof backpack or laptop carrier to a kitting pack for field staff or new starters who commute by bike or on foot. It's used every working day, in every kind of weather.
What goes well with waterproof bags?
Many buyers pair a dry bag with our backpacks for a full outdoor kit. If the bag is for travel, our duffle bags and travel bags and luggage cover everyday trips, and our laptop bags suit office staff. Small items such as passes and cards are easier to find in a pouch.
Tell us the contents, the setting and the quantity, and we'll recommend a bag and the print method. Use the instant enquiry form at the top of this page, call 1300 247 766, or visit our Annandale showroom by arrangement to handle the bags first.