21 Totally Cool Tote Bag Painting Ideas for 2024

If you are looking for fun summer painting ideas, this list of creative tote bag painting ideas is sure to inspire your next project. Canvas tote bags are a sturdy, reliable way for you to carry groceries, books and more. Plus, with blank options available at almost every craft retailer, you can customize the size and look of your bag.

Beginners to the world of arts and crafts and anyone exploring tote bag painting ideas might be wondering “What kind of paint do you use on a tote bag?” or “Can you decorate a tote bag with Sharpie?” We have all the answers you need to jump into this new creative hobby.

Before you stop to wonder if painting tote bags is even worth the time investment, consider this: according to Pennsylvania State University, diving into a new hobby can have a wide range of benefits.

Some of those benefits include keeping your cognitive abilities focused and functioning, helping you grow in confidence and even warding off some of the negative side effects of aging. So, grab a tote bag and some paint and get make your tote bag painting ideas a reality!

Jump to Section 

• Fun Tote Bag Painting Workshops
• Best Tote Bag Painting Kits
• Top Tips for Painting on Canvas Bags With Acrylics
• Unique Hand-Painted Tote Bag Design Ideas

Fun Tote Bag Painting Workshops

If you are new to the world of DIY arts and crafts, it might be worth signing up for a tote bag painting workshop or art class that can teach you the basics.

Whether you take a class in traditional painting techniques or find a workshop specifically suited to teaching arts and crafts for adults, there are plenty of options available to help you learn new tips and tricks.

You can find art classes in Houston, art classes in Portland and art classes in Boston, to just name a few major cities. If none of those urban areas are close to you, check out art classes near you or even online painting classes to learn the tricks of the trade before you break out the paints and start designing your own hand-painted tote bag. 

Best Tote Bag Painting Kits

How do you decorate a tote bag with paint? Part of the fun is going to the craft store and choosing all of your paint colors, but If you’re just starting out, one of the best painting tips for beginners is to invest in a kit that has all the materials you need to get started on your tote bag painting ideas.

If you are designing multiple bags for a party or other occasion, this set of 15 tote bags from Lakeshore Learning is a perfect, affordable option.

For those who are looking for a set that includes more materials, try this tote bag gift set from The Paint Sesh on Etsy.

If coming up with your own designs is too daunting, you can always try this coloring tote bag kit that comes with the designs pre-printed and waiting for your creative mark.

Top Tips for Painting on Canvas Bags With Acrylics

What is the best paint for totes? This is a common question many beginners ask before making a hand-painted tote bag for the first time. Most people agree that acrylic paints work best for painting on canvas.

To be sure that you have a smooth, even surface for executing your tote bag painting ideas, insert a piece of cardboard into your bag before applying your design. You may also want to iron your bag before painting to ensure there are no wrinkles in the fabric.

When it comes to choosing your tools, there are plenty of options. Try sponges, brushes or stencils to make your designs come alive. There are also plenty of paint types available to make your art ideas stand out.

Try puffy paint, glitter paint or glow-in-the-dark paint to add some dimension and life to these tote bag painting ideas. 

21 Unique Hand-Painted Tote Bag Design Ideas

1. Floral Designs

Flowers are possibly one of the easiest tote bag painting ideas. Even a simple flower shape can look cute when repeated in bright colors on a canvas bag. Plus, there are endless flower painting ideas to choose from when you’re deciding on your final design.

2. Ombre Effect

Take inspiration from the world of watercolor painting ideas for your project. Create an ombre or gradient effect of one color for an easy tote bag painting idea.

If you are having trouble blending the colors, try painting stripes in each tone to create a simple striped ombre effect on your bag.

3. Get Experimental

If you aren’t great at drawing cute designs or patterns, try a method like pour painting for an abstract tote bag painting idea.

Simply pour paint over your bag following a few simple instructions. Just be sure you give your tote bag plenty of time to dry out before using it on your next supermarket trip.

4. What Do You Meme?

Funny comics and memes are another great tote bag painting idea, and these humorous totes make for great art ideas for teens. A bag referencing a funny internet trend is sure to spark comments and compliments wherever you go.

5. Paint a Favorite Quote

Carry your favorite author’s words with you everywhere by adding quotes to your tote bag painting ideas. You can try different styles of writing, different colors, or simply use your normal handwriting to create a unique, personalized tote bag. 

6. Tote Bags for Foodies

Food is another great realm of inspiration for tote bag painting ideas. Paint cute eggs and bacon on a tote bag for brunch, or maybe draw a version of your favorite food with a face.

Dancing donuts? Smiling sandwiches? Anything you can imagine will look cute! This tote bag painting idea will give you the chance to be creative and carry a fun, foodie-themed tote bag at the market 

7. A Bag for Book Lovers

There are also plenty of tote bag painting ideas to be found on the shelves of your local bookstore or library. Every bookworm needs a sturdy tote bag to carry their latest finds home.

Decorate your bag with the cover of your favorite novel, a depiction of a bookshelf, or even a drawing of your favorite character. 

8. Make It Your Own

Another quick and easy way to personalize a tote bag is with your name or monogram. Use stencil letters if you aren’t comfortable freehanding them, or create a stylized version of your initials in fun paint colors. 

9. Pattern Play

If you’re new to exploring tote bag painting ideas, you could always start learning about your new hobby by painting a simple repeating pattern. Stripes, checks, or even a cow or animal print could be a great way to dip your toes in the water of tote bag painting. 

10. Handprint Art

If you have kids or want to create a keepsake for someone who does, why not encourage a little messy art? Have each child put their hands in paint to create a handprint tote bag.

You can even use their thumbprints to make shapes or animals. This personalized tote bag painting idea will look cute and stand the test of time.

11. Get your Coffee Fix

One way to really boost your mood in the morning is a fun trip to the coffee shop. Why not paint a customized tote bag to take with you? You could paint mugs of steaming coffee, an iced latte or even coffee beans into cute designs for fun coffee-themed tote bag ideas.

12. Paint your Furry Friend

Carry all your pet’s essential items with a cute animal-themed tote bag painting idea. You can try your hand at painting a portrait of your cat or dog, or create a pattern of themed objects. If you’re feeling bold, dip your pet’s paws in paint and let them create a tote bag masterpiece.

13. Use a Tie Dye Effect

Use acrylic paints and sponge brushes to create a homemade tie-dye pattern on your canvas bag. This trippy painting idea is much easier than actually tying and dying an entire canvas bag.

14. Music and Lyrics

Another great category of inspiration for tote bag painting ideas is the world of music. Create a tribute to your favorite band or artist by memorializing their lyrics in paint. 

15. Match Your Friends

Hosting a tote bag painting party can be a great way to strengthen friendships and create something fun for a special occasion. Birthday parties and bachelorette parties are just two group settings where creating matching tote bag painting ideas would be a fun and easy activity.

16. Make a Teacher Tote

If you are a teacher or if you are looking for a sweet teacher appreciation gift, try a DIY tote bag. You can draw cute school-themed objects like pencils, apples and more.

Fill the bag with school supplies for a fun back-to-school gift for teachers. Or, if you are a teacher, use your new custom tote bag to carry your teaching supplies back and forth to work.

17. Splatter Paint

This is another fun and somewhat messy tote bag painting idea. Gather your favorite colors and splatter them all over the canvas to create a truly unique piece.

This idea also works well for black or dark blue bags. Use neon or glow-in-the-dark paints to add a truly stellar effect.

18. DIY Holiday Bag

The holidays are also a great source of inspiration for tote bag painting ideas. You could paint a ghost or jack-o-lantern to create a bag for trick-or-treating or try Santa and reindeer to make a Christmas-themed bag.

You might start to like this hobby so much that you create a bag for every holiday on the calendar!

19. Paint a Love Note

Painting tote bags could be a sweet and creative date night idea. Try some new couple painting ideas and make personalized tote bags for your sweetheart.

For this tote bag painting idea, trade bags and have each partner paint a handwritten love note that their significant other can carry with them everywhere.

20. Team Spirit

If you are looking for an easy way to show your team spirit, why not paint your tote in school or team colors? This is a great tote bag painting idea for coaches, fans and parents of athletes. Your bag will be your own take on showing your love for the team.

21. Hit the Beach

Create a tote bag for your next pool or beach trip by covering it in sunny summer-themed items. Seashells, wave patterns or even a simple sun can make super cute tote bag painting ideas. 

As you can see, there are plenty of great tote bag painting ideas for anyone looking to try a fun and relatively inexpensive new hobby. We hope this list of 21 ideas has been a good starting point for you.

For even more fun art ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!