Upholstery and Fabrics - How to get a logo onto a tote bag, t-shirt, etc.

I am starting up a website and I want to offer a free gift to users. They will spend 25 dollars on my service (if they sign up) so Id like to offer something substantial (if I eat away at the profit from tehm, Im fine with that for the first few months just to attract peole and hopefully get them to tell others)

So, I need a nice gift. Id like to do a totebag as an option but they seem to cost 20+ dollars a pop unless I get a big minumum - which I dont wantto do becase if noone signs up Im stuck with a room full of these things.

Id like to see if I can get my logo on there myself. Do youknow any way that would still look high quality?

Maybe ordering patches - and ironing them on?

Imnot as concerned about hats and shirts because they are less expensive - but the bags wouldbe great!

Iron on products for t-shirts are OK, but an iron on patch for tote bags and hats don't shout high quality to me.
Either fabric labels or appliques that are sewn on would be much more attractive.
I found this place that offers all sorts of promotional items, including tote bags, for really cheap:

4AllPromos (http://www.4allpromos.com/scripts/)

TOTE BAGS (http://www.4allpromos.com/scripts/pl/12/Tote_Bags_Promotional_Products.html?cpao=111&kw=logo+tote&cpca=Bags+%2D+logo+Tote+Bags+&cpag=Custom+Tote+&gclid=CMiL_7OEy44CFQIQFQodYFVGqg)

Keep looking for vendors for those totes, especially local ones. We learned from a client of a local company that has no minimum run. There is also another company online that has no minimum run that tends to cater to music industry folks so I don't know if they do totes or not. If you want the name of the web company send me a PM since this site isn't groovy with advertising. :-)

IF it is a one color logo it is easy and inexpensive. Look into silk screening. Visit your local art store. They can sell you the products and sometimes help you learn the process.

There are nice inks and paints available from flats to puff ups and you can decorate with glitter afterwards if desired.

There are more modern methods but here is a short on how to do it...

Stretch a special material over a frame that is large enough for your logo, plus a bit. Mix two chemicals together and apply a thin coating onto the material in the frame. Let dry in the dark. Then place the logo on the screen and expose to light for a short time. Then rinse out the frame with water. Where it was exposed the chemical on the material will wash out allowing inks and paints to pass through. Lay the frame over the Tee shirt and using a squeegee, pass paint or ink over the area in the material. It will transfer the ink or paint onto the tee shirt.

It's not hard and simple one color logos are easy even for a first timer.


Here (http://www.reuels.com/reuels/Silk_Screen_Printing_Instructions.html) is a non-commercial primer on the subject.