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I've bought a new piece of luggage which is great in every way except that... it's completely black and looks like half the other bags.

What's an easy way of making my luggage unique, ideally without also making it hideous in the process?

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  • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
    – RoflcoptrException
    Oct 5, 2016 at 14:37
  • Something to be aware of: lost-luggage firms have space only for a single color. Painting or otherwise decorating your luggage in a contrasting pattern will make it easier for you to spot on the carousel, but will not help the airline find it if it goes somewhere unexpected. Painting the whole thing an unpopular color -- but a color their forms know about -- might help both issues.
    – keshlam
    Oct 5, 2016 at 23:26
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    I saw the question title and clicked on it in order to answer "Don't buy black luggage!" but it seems it's already too late for that. Google "suitcase covers". I my experience (working at check-in at Heathrow airport) they are very popular with Japanese travellers and a giant, yellow, suitcase sized Spongebob Squarepants can be spotted a mile off!
    – Vince O'Sullivan
    Oct 6, 2016 at 7:53
  • The REAL ANSWER (tm) is that you can have uniqueness or ease of spotting, but not both. Any simple tag or sticker that's easy to find will be copied by someone (see software "UUID"); a barcode would be unique but very hard to identify.
    – Carl Witthoft
    Oct 6, 2016 at 18:20
  • Return the luggage and buy the most hideous set you can. If it looks like Lisa Frank and Tommy Bahama had an art contest, you are good. It will be unique because nobody would ever want it.
    – user7642
    Oct 9, 2016 at 9:42

15 Answers 15

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Personalize it with stickers / decals / patches!

This technique is very widely used in Vietnam to distinguish the millions of scooters everybody rides, which are in a range of a dozen or so makes and models so every parking area would have a few just like yours.

Such is the demand for disambiguating decoration that there are "Dán Keo" shops and curbside vendors almost on every corner!

The exact same principles apply to confusable luggage as to confusable bikes. The materials may differ. It's surely a lot easier to decorate a piece of luggage than the complicated curvy surfaces of a scooter.

While I look for a photo I can include, here are some links to some that I don't have the rights to include as images:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

And of course many people do the same thing with their laptops.

personalized laptop
(Thanks to Wikimedia Commons for the image.)

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  • YES! THIS! i have a red hard case travel luggage personalized with travel stickers form each city and country i've visited. I'm pretty sure it's the only bight red bag in the whole airport with over 50 stickers. and if there's another one, sure it hasn't the same distribution.
    – CptEric
    Oct 5, 2016 at 13:54
  • Yeah for soft-sided you can use patches, for which I didn't look for any pics but the same should apply with just a little more work I suppose.
    – hippietrail
    Oct 6, 2016 at 2:08
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Colored duct tape. It comes in hundreds of colors and designs, is durable enough to last many, many trips, is cheap enough to be replaced when it does start to wear, and is easy to apply. This is my preferred method over the previous answers like ribbons, laces, and ropes because tape doesn't hang off the luggage, so it won't get caught and ripped off during transit. I usually apply it to most of the sides, so that it's easy to see no matter how the luggage is facing.

Just apply it in a way that you find appealing, and you're good to go.

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    I don't like this approach because duct tape leaves residue that ruins whatever surface it was attached to and makes it hard to replace with new tape that sticks as well as it originally did.
    – R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
    Oct 3, 2016 at 23:08
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    I just tape the handle with colored sports tape. It's still easy to spot, and it is actually functional.
    – Nelson
    Oct 4, 2016 at 0:57
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    @R.. I think you would love colored gaffer's tape! It's used for theater all the time to tape down wires, mark spots on the floor, etc, so it's designed to not leave a sticky residue
    – Nick Weinberg
    Oct 4, 2016 at 2:42
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    @NickWeinberg: even gaffer tape will leave residues if left sticking for longer than about a month.
    – leftaroundabout
    Oct 4, 2016 at 19:21
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    @leftaroundabout In my optinion that heavily depends on the quality. I once bought a large roll of more expensive tape and never had any residue problems with it. Well worth the little extra cost imho..
    – Bowdzone
    Oct 5, 2016 at 14:03
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When I had a piece of plain luggage, I used to tie a short piece of bright blue rope around the handle. Then on the carousel it was easy to spot - just look for the blue rope. I also had a piece I spray-painted with a bright orange 'X'.

Of course those two suggestions might sound hideous to you; I'm guessing they would to a lot of people in fact. So a few of other suggestions:

  1. Luggage tags. You can buy them in tons of colors, shapes, and sizes. They'll make it easier to see your luggage on the carousel and you can check the tag once you get it to double-check you have the right piece.

  2. Zipper pulls. Lots of options in shape, size and color again. And although I don't have a source my guess is that not many people put custom zipper pulls on their luggage.

  3. A luggage belt. They generally have a nylon buckle and wrap around the luggage. Lots of widths, patterns and color to pick from.

Of course, you might find some of these suggestions aesthetically unpleasing, and I'm sure there are other ways to make your luggage stand out I'm not thinking of.

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    I use two fairly standard luggage straps (belts) one going top to bottom through the handle, the other sideways through the handle. The chance that someone else also uses that combination of straps is very unlikely.
    – Willeke ♦
    Oct 3, 2016 at 17:18
  • until now, MUHAHAA!
    – Jammin4CO
    Oct 7, 2016 at 14:24
  • We use lengths of thick, brightly colored yarn. Not quite like bright blue rope, but same principle. Easy to remove; easy to replace; easy to spot. Even if someone else does similarly, luggage tags provide the detail.
    – user2338816
    Oct 8, 2016 at 5:18
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Decorate it. Tie ribbons around the handle - get one of those many-stranded present decorating ones if you like. Tie different ribbons around different handles. Sew a large flag onto it. Buy a strong elasticated strap that buckles around the whole suitcase as "breaking open" insurance and choose an unusual colour or pattern for it.

When I did this to a brand new suitcase that I bought the night before a trip (having discovered my grown child had NOT returned a borrowed suitcase only when I went to pack) I took a picture of it and had that on my phone. That way you can remind yourself "blue ribbon on the top handle, red bow on the side handle." It also works if you need to fill out a description for lost luggage.

enter image description here

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    I think the most valuable hint in this answer is the one about the picture!
    – Jan
    Oct 3, 2016 at 21:47
  • Different colored bows is what my family uses. It also helps distinguish which case is which among our own set.
    – JDługosz
    Oct 9, 2016 at 12:23
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Put a picture of yourself on it. You wouldn't be the first one: enter image description here

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    +1 for such an eloquent picture! Hope that bag is never used for contraband :)
    – David
    Oct 5, 2016 at 13:22
  • Ever have to take your wife's bag from your hotel to the car? Could you get in trouble if it has her picture on it, not yours?
    – Shawn V. Wilson
    Oct 6, 2016 at 16:48
  • Then put a picture of you guys together on it?
    – Joren Vandamme
    Oct 6, 2016 at 16:56
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    I hope I can find one like that in the second hand store.
    – Astor Florida
    Oct 7, 2016 at 12:57
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Get yourself a set of personal luggage strap, with your name in large letters on them, they come in a large choose of colours. If you put two on in different colours, it is most unlikely anyone else would have done the same, even with one, it is unlikely someone else will have a case of the same size with the same colour strap.

enter image description here

The image is of one of the many for sale on amazon.co.uk

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I always write my baby's nick name with a marker in as big a font as I can on the sides and the top and the bottom of the bag.

When the bag is black and the marker is white it makes it so easy to spot even from a distance. If you ever need to clean the name off there are tons of ways you could do that.

This method has always worked for me without the need of anything extra.

Like this, but on all 4 sides and then on top and bottom as well. Now the bag can be thrown on the carousel in any direction and you will still be able to spot it.

enter image description here Source: Me

Best thing about this method is that you don't need anything fancy that can either fall off during transportation or needs to be taken care of while you are on your trip. Just write it once before you leave on your trip and you don't need to worry about anything throughout the trip. When you get home you can decide if you want to remove the ink, I don't.

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    That's a good idea, plus with it saying 'baby' a thief might think could be full of diapers and formula and move on to a more tempting target.
    – Sean
    Oct 4, 2016 at 12:58
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    Stack Exchange is confusing sometimes. This comment - saying that this is a good idea - has more up-votes than the answer!
    – Hanky Panky
    Oct 5, 2016 at 7:25
  • Because i wrote it for this display using Microsoft Paint. Didn't have our travel suitcases handy. I took picture of one of our unmarked bags then edited it to write that using marker tool of MS Paint :) My Actual handwriting is even worse :D
    – Hanky Panky
    Oct 5, 2016 at 13:21
  • @HankyPanky Well, now it does again. No surprise.
    – EKons
    Oct 6, 2016 at 12:19
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Cloth ribbons especially the wide sturdy kind, or long scarves or strips of fabric, alternatively colored straps or even rope if that's what you've got, will often do the trick. Sometimes we would wrap them closely around the handles, or loop them snugly around the bag like luggage straps - just make sure there's a break in the ribbon, or a tie point, where you might need to get at pockets or zippers.

I noticed the other picture with conventional decorative ribbon in curls and bows, but cloth ribbons come in a lot more colors and patterns, you can pick ones that are distinctive, and also pleasing to your eye. The cloth ribbons also come in bigger sizes (so a smaller amount is needed to make it visible) - as opposed to the thin decorative ribbon, which is harder to see unless you've got a lot.

You can cut any dangling loops short, or tuck them in, if you're worried about the ribbons getting caught. You can pin or glue or even stitch the ribbons (or even cloth patches) to the suitcase, for a slightly more permanent solution.

Cloth should be pretty durable, it won't pull off or break easily - and again, the amount of patterns that are available are enormous. Far more, I believe, than any amount of duct tape patterns or luggage covers, so you can be really, really sure of finding a setup or combination that is distinctive and not to be easily confused with someone else's luggage.

enter image description hereenter image description here

you could also add stickers - much the same positives and negatives as the duct tape answer, but I thought I would mention it.

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I like to tie a short length of coloured string to the zip pullers, the handles and any other places that are easy to tie to. I use a simple overhand loop adjusted to make the loop fairly tight. Then I trim the two free ends to between 2 and 4cm long.

Some zip pullers come with a short fabric extension, these I might replace with my own string. Plus I add strings to other zip pullers. (The zip pullers shown in the photo in @Kate Gregory's answer have holes that are ideal for adding strings.)

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I have used most of what the other posters have posted. But there was one time when I was out of all those options. I wrapped both the handles (just the handles) with Sellotape. Was easily available where I was. Had to squint me eyes a bit but was able to distinguish my suitcase from the rest from afar.

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Get a luggage cover. Wraps around your luggage to provide some protection, and immediately distinguishable from any angle.

Available in a lot of different patterns for around $10-20 on the likes of Aliexpress and Ebay, and there are merchants who will make one with your own design if you're worried about uniqueness.

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  • In my experience, there's not a lot of them in use... yet, and quite a lot of different designs.
    – Koterpillar
    Oct 4, 2016 at 1:13
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    Because everytime you do the decent thing and keep some distance others push in front of you and mutter about insifficient room when you are breathing down their necks. Not the most uplifting comment, but sadly a true story.
    – Hennes
    Oct 4, 2016 at 13:34
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Go big or go home

There are two 'regulars' on the site who engage in the hobby of decorative knotting (I won't mention the other one, but those who know will know). For the special case of bum-bags, day bags, man-bags, and backpacks, I make a tactical accessory that's useful for easy identification. I never sell them, they are always gifted.

The basic pattern is a bolt-snap at one end and a bifurcation on the other end with split rings and other bits and bobs that might come in handy.

The weaving material is 7-strand 550 paracord because of its strength and flexibility. Most of them are encrusted with beads blown on a 5mm mandrel that I get privately from the artist or purchase at auctions...

enter image description here

enter image description here

enter image description here

The "mandala" beads shown below are made by an artist in Slovenia and cost from EUR 35 per bead, but I made a special deal to purchase her 'rejects' for a lot cheaper.

enter image description here

This one below was made for a woman who works at the EU headquarters in Brussels and who is constantly in the air. She wanted a highly recognisable accessory for her backpack that could also be weaponized if the need arose. She populates it with European style mortice keys. I use a similar one for my flight bag...

enter image description here

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    +1 but aren't these likely to go "missing" if you put them on your checked bags?
    – Berwyn
    Oct 4, 2016 at 4:24
  • No reported cases yet. Fingers crossed. For myself I use a Lightspeed Gann which tends to keep luggage handlers at bay. For commercial flights, I also like to use Victorinox which seems to have the same effect.
    – Gayot Fow
    Oct 4, 2016 at 4:27
  • User 'Heidelberg Genesis' has one that he uses in and out of Malaysia. It stands up to wear-and-tear.
    – Gayot Fow
    Oct 4, 2016 at 4:37
  • My knotted item on my suitcase is much simpler, just a bit of coloured string tied around the handle in a way that is unique for me/my bag, and one of two zipper pulls. (At first a piece of string did close the zippers as well but I had to cut that to get to my things.) A new suitcase will likely get a new bit of string somehow on it, all in a different way. I find the luggage straps easier and more distictive on the hard sided case.
    – Willeke ♦
    Oct 4, 2016 at 20:37
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    It's not clear how you'd use one of these on a checked bag, it seems that loose dangling strings would be likely to get caught in a baggage handling conveyer belt. I once lost an entire backpack shoulder strap from a backpack that I had to unexpectedly check (I had planned on it to be a carry-on, but ended up needing to check it).
    – Johnny
    Oct 5, 2016 at 2:06
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You are absolutely right that it is better to make it unique. I would go one step further and make sure that it stands out too.'

All of these methods help (most specified by other answers already):

  • Duck tape: Sturdy and cheap but it's pain to remove since it leaves so much residue.
  • Gaffers Tape: Much less sticky and no residue. Might have to change it more often but it has yet to fall in transport.
  • Ribbons: Works too but more likely to fall.
  • Stickers: Great as they can easily be unique.

What does not work:

  • Fancy tags: People steal them. Many times I had nice tags (such as Lego bricks ones fro Legoland), the tags were gone when the suitcases arrived.

After having been to the Lost Luggage department of several airports which you need to visit for lost luggage, misplaced luggage, forgotten, mis-routed or damaged items, my rough estimate is that 96% of suitcases there are black, the rest are mostly red.

Personally I had 2 lost black suitcases and 2 that were not unloaded at my stop. Small black suitcases can be hard to see in the plane cargo, and so these 2 pieces (on separate flights) were not unloaded at the stop and were only found later at the plane's final destination. On the other hand: the Sunshine yellow one never got lost (and have seen another come out of the carrousel) and neither did the 2 lime-green ones (although I've seen 2 or 3 similar color but not model and a flight) and neither did the Sky Blue suitcase.

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So many good ideas :-).

Hi Tech:

Best of all (shields up) - a BLE (Bluetooth low energy) beacon in your bag.
If you are concerned that the airline may be concerned by the presence of such devices (and by now airline systems had better be utterly immune to them or we are all in trouble) then a keyed BLE receiver in the suitcase that responds to your coded poll would be viable.

Such devices are available to "talk to" cellphones via Bluetooth, and there are also end to end systems using BLE dedicated equipment in keyfob/pocketable sizes at both ends.

Cellphones are usually allowed to be used from some peiod before doors are opened onwards. Use at customs/security may see you detained. Use at the baggage carousel is liable to be acceptable, but can be very low visibility with perhaps a subtle-as-desired beep when the bag starts talking to you and an indication of range based on signal strength , if desired.

Flashing lights, sirens and explosions optional but not recommended.

Extra points: Bag rolls off carousel as it reaches you.
Entirely doable. May not be "wise" :-)

Low Tech

Failing the above, I find that anything that makes the bag personally identifiable to you at a glance works well. A cheap wrap around rainbow luggage strap may be enough. Not unique but greatly reduces the black-bag-sameness. Two such ar right angles is something I've not yet seem anyone else do - and they only cost a few dollars each if you are not silly enough to buy them at an airport.

Long ago my daughter acquired a small plastic Kiwi (after all, we are New Zealanders) and it has ridden on many international flights at a known location on the bag in use. I've not ever seen any other Kiwi enhanced bag - so please use something similar instead :-).

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Ok, probably this will sounds silly, but...why even bother to solve a problem that you can easily avoid from the beginning? There exist dozzillions of different bags/backpacks/luggages waiting to be bought, why buying the most common looking, unspottable one, to then wasting your time to make it different?

Just buy something unique. Even if you travel for work you can buy tons of bags that are different and still acceptable (e.g. I use a NatGeo bag for my laptop, when I'm traveling for work, and all my clients found it nice and interesting, no one ever complained it wasn't totally black or enough "work looking")

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    @pnuts: do I look rich ;-P ? My pieces of luggage -except for the NatGeo bags which is a gift from my ex colleagues- are all under the 30 euro tag, are all totally different from a standard one, and have lasted for years :-)
    – motoDrizzt
    Oct 5, 2016 at 13:34
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    :-D Drizzt is my historical nickname (back from 1997), but it is so widely used that I put "moto" in front of it to be able to use the same nick everywhere. I don't own a Guzzi :-D (but I do own an RSV 1000, does it count? :-D )
    – motoDrizzt
    Oct 5, 2016 at 13:58
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    Even when you have an uncommon colour+style of bag other people may have the same. I had to run through Geneva luggage collection area to stop someone with my bag when theirs was still on the carousel. My bag had coloured strings and I could tell mine from others at a distance.
    – AdrianHHH
    Oct 5, 2016 at 15:19
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    "buy something unique" - In most stores, if you buy a bag you can buy another that looks the same - and so can everyone else. By buying something "unique" that's mass manufactured, chance can make you end up with someone else's "unique" bag, or someone else getting your "unique" bag, because they look exactly the same, but are unique enough that you don't bother to check it's really yours.
    – Peter
    Oct 6, 2016 at 22:16

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