From product selection and pre-production sampling to in-house decoration and flexible fulfillment, Merchology partnered with Carrera to create a custom giveaway tote.
Carrera Needs a Giveaway for a National Brand Activation
Image courtesy of Carrera.
To mark its 70th anniversary, Carrera took its celebration on the road with the Paint My Ride Tour, a unique activation spanning seven cities across the U.S. that combined art, car culture, and consumer engagement.
For the Houston stop at Discovery Green, Carrera wanted a custom giveaway to showcase the tour's commemorative artwork while also supporting on-site customization by two local artists. So, they turned to Merchology for the recommendations and support.
The Challenge
Balancing Six Project Requirements
Carrera knew it wanted 3,000 giveaway totes, but was still evaluating options.
Image courtesy of Carrera.
The final project needed to meet six criteria:
- Function as a giveaway item within budget
- Showcase the Paint My Ride Tour artwork
- Support live artist customization during the event stop
- Meet quality and brand expectations
- Accommodate a 3,000-unit order
- Display artwork across the full length of the bag
The Solution
Product Recommendations Backed By Experience
Meeting all six requirements would mean more than just selecting a tote, however. Lindsey, an Account Executive at Merchology, worked closely with Carrera to understand how the bags would be used during the event at Discovery Green.
After learning they would be used as attendee giveaways and as a surface for artist customization, Lindsey recommended a tote that could support both purposes.
To help Carrera evaluate the tote before committing to production, Lindsey provided complimentary blank and printed samples so the team would see and feel the product firsthand.
Identifying a Potential Production Issue Early
The decorated sample revealed an important limitation. The supplier could only decorate a small portion of the tote, and Carrera wanted the commemorative artwork to span the full length of the bag.
Because the issue was identified during sampling instead of after production had started, Merchology had time to develop an alternate solution before the 3,000-unit order moved forward.
This is where Merchology's in-house decoration team stepped in. By bringing the decoration process in-house, the team was able to produce the larger design Carrera envisioned while maintaining quality and brand standards.
The result was a tote that met the customer's vision of their anniversary giveaway rather than the limitations of the supplier's equipment.
Flexible Fulfillment Accommodates an Evolving Event Schedule
The project involved 3,000 custom totes, and initially the order was scheduled to arrive at one location.
Because the tour spanned multiple cities throughout the summer of 2026, Lindsey developed a fulfillment strategy that accommodated the evolving needs of the event. Production and delivery were divided into multiple shipments that aligned with event timing, making sure that the products arrived when and where they were needed.
The Result
More Than a Giveaway Tote
Merchology successfully provided 3,000 custom totes to support Carrera's Houston activation and broader Paint My Ride Tour. The bags served as an attendee giveaway that celebrated Carrera's 70th anniversary while also providing a canvas for on-site customization by to local artists.
Carrera appreciated Merchology's willingness to test multiple options until they found the design they were looking for. And Carrera continues to work with Merchology because of its responsiveness, expertise, and hassle-free execution.
By The Numbers
Image courtesy of Carrera.
- 70 years of Carrera heritage
- Seven-city Paint My Ride Tour locations
- 3,000 custom bags produced
- More than 17 million potential lifetime impressions*
If you're planning an event activation, customer giveaway, or multi-location campaign, Merchology is ready to bring your vision to life with expert advice, in-house decoration, and flexible fulfillment. On brand, on budget, and on time. Every time.
*Based on ASI's 2026 Ad Impressions Study: 5 Compelling Takeaways.