Translate the daily load into requirements
Identify the largest objects and how they will be stored. If the bag is intended for a laptop, compare the device’s actual dimensions with the usable compartment and test fit where possible. Do not assume that a broad product label resolves every fit question. Check the opening, the space needed to remove the device and whether other contents crowd the compartment.
Count useful compartments rather than treating more pockets as automatically better. Ask which items need quick access and which should remain separate. Review the contents in the order a person would use them during a normal day. A pocket that looks convenient in a photograph may be difficult to reach when the bag is fully packed or placed beside a chair.
Review carrying and construction with a sample
Try the straps, handle and adjustments using a representative load appropriate to the product’s guidance. Observe how the bag sits and whether the recipient can reach common items without emptying everything. Evaluate the opening and closures repeatedly during the sample review. Record specific observations, but avoid turning a short handling test into unsupported durability or protective-performance claims.
Ask the supplier to clarify the material description, care information and any special features that matter to the brief. If weather resistance or another performance claim is essential, request documentation for the exact model. Do not infer it from the appearance of the fabric or the presence of a covered zip. Keep unconfirmed features out of the approval summary until they are resolved.
Worked hypothetical example: a mobile sales team
Imagine a team that carries a laptop, a notebook and product literature between client meetings. This is a hypothetical planning exercise, not a quotation. Two backpacks have a similar exterior size. A realistic packing test reveals that one offers easier document access, while the other uses space for compartments the team does not need. The choice follows the working routine rather than the number of advertised pockets.
Review the logo location with the bag both empty and filled. Consider whether the recipient would comfortably use that branding outside a company event. A restrained mark may suit a daily work bag better than a large temporary campaign message. Confirm the final reference, carrying specification and artwork together, and make any proposed substitution subject to the same fit checks.
Examples from the Brandkom catalogue
- AKRAOS slim laptop backpack (MO2318) Try the intended laptop in the compartment and check access to the tablet pocket with the bag packed.
- ASPEN expandable 20 L backpack (MO3195) For an overnight event, compare its packed depth with the slim option before committing to a single bag for everyone.
Before you move forward
- List the normal contents and identify the largest objects.
- Check usable compartment dimensions and access with real items.
- Test straps, handles and closures with a representative load.
- Confirm documentation for any essential performance feature.
- Approve everyday branding and recheck any substitute model.
Common questions
Should we choose a bag using the laptop screen size alone?
Use the actual device and compartment measurements, and test the intended arrangement when possible. A label can help shortlist products, but it is not a substitute for checking the device’s fit, access and interaction with other contents in the selected bag.
Are additional security features always necessary?
Only specify features that address a real use requirement and can be explained clearly. Ask how the feature works on the exact model and what it does not do. Avoid unsupported claims of complete protection, and do not let extra features obscure basic carrying comfort.
Ready to turn the brief into a shortlist? Explore the catalogue or start a project in Brandkom’s free Gift Design Studio.