Over the years, however, I’ve come to learn that some brands do personalization better than others, whether the overall product section is more impressive, the user experience is exceptional, or the execution is truly flawless. While I have my own favorite personalized luggage brands (some of which are featured below), Travel + Leisure editors put in additional work to find the top ones on the market today. To identify the best overall brand—here’s looking at you, Mark & Graham—as well as the ones with high-quality leather options, font choices, custom designs, and color-blocking capabilities, they tested 50 different products over a six-month period. Read on to discover the results.
Mark & Graham was founded in 2012 as a brand that embodies all things monogrammed; the name is even a nod to the company’s mission: “make your mark with a monogram.” Thirteen years later, it’s become basically synonymous with personalized luggage and accessories, selling everything from suitcases and jewelry cases to tech folios, luggage tagsand totes. The personalization options vary, with the brand offering several different techniques based on the product; foil debossing, engraving, embroidery, vinyl decals, laser etching, and hand stamping are all in the repertoire.
We tested several different personalized items, including the Mark & Graham Terminal 1 Carry-on and Checked Luggage Setthe Mark & Graham Small Travel Jewelry Caseand the Mark & Graham Essential Tech Folio. “I will put my initials on just about anything, and this Mark & Graham organizer is no exception,” said associate editorial director Morgan Ashley Parkerwho tested out the latter. “I love that there’s the option of foiled embossed or painted lettering in a wide range of fonts and color combinations.” Given all of the color combinations and ways to give luggage a bit of personality, Mark & Graham is also the perfect place to go if you’re looking to gift the travelers in your life—you can even add a monogram to packing cubes.
The Details: Returns and exchanges not accepted on personalized items | Limited lifetime warranties on select items
Think of Leathology as your go-to brand for upgraded travel essentials that will last you a lifetime. Each leather item—duffels, weekendersbackpacks, luggage tagsand more—is purposefully designed so as not to prominently feature a Leatherology logo. That space is left open for personalization by debossing, hand painting, or quilted Trapunto. “This bag is monogrammed with my initials in the puffy Trapunto, which is so sleek and less noticeable than a hand-painted or large gold embossed one would be,” says Parker, who tested out the Leatherology Transit Travel Tote and shared that this type of personalization is “the most unique” she’s ever seen. Notably, if you opt for the Trapunto stitching, your order will be slightly delayed; items typically ship in about two weeks. But, as they say, the best things come to those who wait.
The Details: Returns and exchanges not accepted on personalized items | One-year limited warranty “against defects in materials or craftsmanship”
In a world of suitcases that all look generally the same—hard-shell materials, neutral colors, simplistic design—there needed to be a way to give our bags some unique markings, without losing any functionality. And the luggage brand July figured it out. After ordering and testing the Carry On Prowe determined that one of July’s best features is its personalization capabilities, specifically, the fonts. “You can choose the type and style of your font, colors, and where the personalization appears,” said T+L writer Jasmine Gomez. “I chose to have my first and middle name in script in pink on the side of the bag. It’s subtle, but, in my opinion, gives it a high-end touch.” Font options include bubble lettering, bold, serif, signature, and retro—all of which have a different look and feel to them.
The Details: Returns and exchanges not accepted on personalized items | Limited lifetime warranty for luggage and a five-year warranty for travel bags and accessories
If you decide to invest in a Casetify suitcase—the two we tested, the Casetify Bounce Custom Carry-on Suitcase and the Casetify Bounce 29” Check-in Trunkrun for $699 and $899, respectively—no one will ever accidentally grab your bag again. “I love how loud and colorful this suitcase is—it’s so unique,” said T+L associate editor Anna Popp after bringing the carry-on suitcase out into the real world. The exact level of loudness and brightness, however, will be determined by how you choose to personalize your luggage.
The customization process starts with picking your suitcase size, color (black, blue, or red), choosing one of the three fonts, and deciding on the text style. Then, you enter your text, pick a font color, and lay out the word or letters in your preference. The final touch is adding a fun background—definitely a unique addition to the personalization game.
The Details: 10-day “no questions asked” return program | 6-month warranty for “impaired products”
Why We Love It
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Roam is known for its complete customization package; you can choose different colors for the front, back, trim, and zipper of your suitcase.
Roam is another brand that understands that personalization can really take luggage to another level—and we were absolutely blown away by the thought and detail that travelers can put into each suitcase. “I didn’t know bags could be this personalized—you can customize the front, back, zipper, and trim—and the trim section can be individually adjusted by wheels, binding, and handles,” said T+L writer Sophie Doddwho traveled with the Carry-on Expandable in black with saddle brown accents. “A free monogram is included, and I love how subtle it is on the back of the suitcase (it’s an integrated luggage tag holder, so you can write your information on the card inside),” she added.
Parker, on the other hand, tested the Check-in and said the customization was “irresistible.” She also shared that there’s hope for those travelers who find themselves overwhelmed by all of the ways you can personalize a Roam suitcase. “The company provides about a dozen pre-made color combos for those who can’t be bothered choosing their own colors,” she explained.
The Details: 100-day trial period for all orders | Limited lifetime warranty
Our Testing Process
Our testing process to find the best personalized luggage began even before we received the suitcases. From the get-go, we were looking at the breadth and ease of personalization for each brand. Were there plenty of fonts and colors to choose from? Did the customization capabilities feel original? Was the website easy to use?
Once we officially got the products in our hands, though, we immediately took a more thorough, hands-on approach. After checking each bag’s interior and exterior materials, hardware, and storage and organization features for quality and performance, we focused on monitoring the personalization features. We had to make sure the monogram or other lettering was visible and securely adhered to the luggage; the latter was something we were especially aware of during rough or frequent travel.
Tips for Buying Personalized Luggage
Prioritize durability
Before you start playing around with your monogram, picking out colors, or seeing how your name looks in different fonts, do your research. Durability should still be your top priority when selecting luggage; you don’t want to wind up in the middle of an airport with a carry-on that won’t roll or a bag with a broken handle. Read trusted reviews, check the materials, and go over all product specifications before clicking “checkout.”
Choose colors/fonts that coordinate with your existing luggage
Fashion might play second fiddle to function in the travel world, but it’s also one of the key reasons people choose to invest in pieces that they can make their own. That said, when you’re adding a new personalized suitcase to your arsenal of luggage, look for colors and fonts that complement the bags you already own. If the pieces go together well, you’ll have the freedom to mix and match as often as you’d like.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the benefit of getting luggage personalized?
Getting your luggage personalized has a few benefits, but the most important one revolves around identification. A monogram, a unique saying, or any other custom feature will ensure you can accurately pick your bag out of a lineup—or a baggage claim with tons of other suitcases that look the same as yours. Not to mention, personalized luggage makes for a thoughtful, special gift, one that the receiver knows was picked out just for them.
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Does luggage personalization cost extra?
It depends on the brand and the exact time of personalization—but typically, you can expect to pay a little bit extra. Brands like Mark & Graham and Leatherology offer customization services starting around $15, while July’s fee is $50. Roam, however, offers free monogramming and custom color-blocking.
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What other ways can I personalize my luggage?
If you picked out a bag that doesn’t have the option for personalization—or you simply don’t want a monogram or anything on the bag itself—there are still other ways to give it a signature touch. For many, a luggage tag that can be embossed, debossed, or painted is a solid choice (bonus: you can transfer it from bag to bag). Other travelers prefer to use a protective luggage cover or a luggage strap to make sure their bag stands out from a sea of other suitcases.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Lydia Mansel is a travel journalist and the founder of a packing list newsletter on Substack. She’s spent years testing all kinds of luggage brands on the road, and most of her favorite pieces have some form of personalization. From monogrammed matching Roam suitcases—she uses the Long Weekend Set—to customized Stoney Clover pouchesa debossed Mark & Graham luggage tagand embroidered duffels and totes from L.L.Bean, her starting lineup of luggage and travel accessories features a variety of personalization treatments.
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