Plastic bag artwork requirements for holiday orders: what to send with your RFQ

An RFQ may already include bag dimensions, material and quantity, yet still leave the manufacturer with questions about printing. For importers and distributors, artwork often arrives through separate email threads while the end customer’s requirements continue to change.

Clear plastic bag artwork requirements help both sides review the same design on the same product. Buyers can start with the information they have. The manufacturer then needs to identify which requirements are confirmed and which still need clarification.

Why include artwork with your RFQ?

A description such as “printed holiday design” does not explain the number of printed sides, the layout or the differences between designs. Including artwork gives the manufacturer a clearer basis for reviewing the print requirement alongside the rest of the order.

State whether each file is a reference, a work in progress or a design whose content has been approved by the customer. Even a customer-approved design still needs the manufacturer’s technical review. Approval of the content does not, by itself, confirm that the file is ready for production.

If a quotation is prepared while artwork is still being revised, both parties should record the version used as its basis. When the number of colors, printed sides or layout changes, ask the manufacturer to reconfirm what the quotation covers.

Artwork details to include for each product code

For an order with multiple SKUs, a folder containing several files may not make it clear which design belongs to which product. Each RFQ line item should identify:

– The product code and corresponding artwork file name.
– The artwork version, revision date and approval status.
– The bag’s base color and intended ink colors on each side.
– The intended print dimensions and placement, if available.
– The quantity allocated to each design.

If an editable source file is available, send it with a preview showing the intended layout. Ask the manufacturer which formats are suitable rather than assuming that every PDF is ready for printing.

For text within the design, discuss whether it should be converted to vector outlines to retain the letter shapes. Once converted, the lettering can no longer be edited as ordinary text, so the designer should keep an editable source copy for any later wording changes.

If you only have a photograph or an existing bag sample, identify it as a reference. Details that cannot yet be established can be discussed with the manufacturer.

How bag construction affects artwork placement

Describe where the logo and message should appear when the bag is in use, and provide the dimensions with a clear explanation of how each measurement is defined. This allows the manufacturer to review the layout against the bag’s shape.

For example, T-shirt bag artwork needs to be considered alongside the handles and bag opening. If part of a message falls within an area intended to be cut away or folded, a mockup may not accurately represent the finished bag.

Do not assume that the entire bag surface is available for printing. For a new design, ask the manufacturer to confirm the printable area and artwork position before the file is finalized. Specific limits need to be agreed for the order’s bag construction and design.

Separate film color, ink colors and print on each side

“Three colors” can be interpreted in different ways. A clearer description would be: white HDPE film, with red, green and black intended for the front, and a black logo on the back.

In this example, white is the specified film color. It is not automatically an additional ink color. For artwork containing gradients or multiple shades, send the file for the manufacturer to assess rather than simply counting the colors visible on screen.

If colors need to be compared with an existing reference or sample, provide it and agree with the manufacturer how the comparison will be made. The preview should also identify the front, back and reading orientation.

Distributors should consolidate their end customer’s comments into one current version before sending revisions. This helps prevent the manufacturer from receiving conflicting instructions across several email threads.

An RFQ example with two holiday designs

The following is an illustrative example, not an actual order or a standard VNK’s product specification.

A distributor requests a quotation for two T-shirt bag designs using the same bag construction:

– Material: white HDPE.
– Dimensions: 30 cm body width with the side gussets folded; a combined additional 16 cm when the gussets are fully opened; 55 cm overall height, including the handles.
– Requested thickness: 30 microns.
– Packing: 100 bags per pack; 10 packs per carton.
– Handle drawing and printable area dimensions: to be confirmed.

The buyer could add: “Please review both artwork files against the specifications above and identify any points requiring confirmation. Color references and print positions will follow. If the quotation relies on any assumptions, please state them separately for each SKU.”

Although the total order is 100,000 bags, the manufacturer needs to see how that quantity is divided between the two designs. If the buyer reallocates quantities between HOL-A and HOL-B or changes the artwork, the RFQ table should also be updated so that both parties continue working from the same information.

Contact VNK’s about your custom printed plastic bag RFQ

VNK’s is a plastic bag manufacturer in Vietnam with nearly 20 years of experience, supporting OEM and custom projects. VNK’s can print on HDPE and LDPE bags using flexographic printing, with up to 12 colors and two-sided printing. Specific requirements need to be reviewed for each project.

If you already have an RFQ for a holiday order, send your requirements and available artwork to VNK’s. You can begin with size, thickness, material, printing, packing and quantity. The sales team will review the information and identify missing details or points that need confirmation before production. If the specification is incomplete, you can also provide reference images or a physical sample to discuss the project.