In short: Most custom plastic bags need only 1 or 2 spot colors: a logo plus one accent covers the majority of B2B orders. Specify 3 to 4 spot colors for a logo, tagline and icons in fixed brand shades, and 4-color process (CMYK) plus a white underprint only when the artwork contains photos or gradients. Heyi Custom Bags prints up to 10 colors with Pantone matching; every extra color adds a plate, so specify the smallest count that reproduces your artwork.
How Print Colors Are Counted
Each spot color is one ink and one plate: a black logo on a clear bag is 1 color; with a red accent it is 2. A white underprint on clear, frosted or black film counts as a color, so a red logo on frosted film is 2 colors. Photos print as CMYK and count as 4 colors, or 5 with a white base on non-white film. Printing both faces doubles the plate count only when the faces carry different artwork.
Color Count by Artwork Type
| Colors | Typical artwork | Typical film |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Logo only, or logo plus website in one shade | Milky white LDPE, clear PE |
| 2 | Logo plus accent, or colored logo on frosted film (white base plus 1 color) | Frosted CPE, clear PE, black PE |
| 3 to 4 spot | Logo, tagline, icons or repeating pattern in brand shades | White or frosted film |
| 4 process | Photos, gradients, illustrations on white film | White LDPE, white poly mailer film |
| 5 to 10 | Photos or gradients on clear or colored film (CMYK plus white) or full-coverage retail designs with several exact brand shades | Clear PE, frosted CPE, metallized, laminated pouch stock |
Common Specifications Brands Order
Frosted CPE, the usual film for custom printed frosted zipper bags, is softer than LDPE and has no white, so most orders on it are 1 color (white or black logo) or 2 colors (white base plus one brand color).
- Frosted CPE zipper bag, 25 x 35 cm, 0.08 mm, 1-color white logo, front only
- Clear PE zipper bag, 20 x 30 cm, 0.06 mm, 2 colors (white base plus Pantone logo), front only
- Milky white LDPE die-cut handle bag, 30 x 40 cm, 0.06 mm, 2-color logo, both sides same artwork
- White poly mailer, 25 x 35 cm, 0.06 mm, 4-color process, full-coverage pattern on front
How to Write the Color Spec on a Purchase Order
State the number of colors, each Pantone code (C for coated references), which colors print on which face, and whether a white underprint is included. Give the print area in cm, because a 10 x 10 cm logo and a full-bleed pattern use different plates and ink volumes. Send vector artwork (AI, PDF or EPS) with text outlined, as described in the artwork preparation guide. On custom printed die-cut handle bags, keep artwork 2 cm from the handle cut-out and bottom seal.
FAQ
How many colors can be printed on a custom plastic bag?
Heyi Custom Bags prints up to 10 colors with Pantone matching for each spot color; most B2B orders use 1 to 4 colors.
Does a white underprint count as a print color?
Yes. On clear, frosted, black or metallized film the white base is a separate ink and plate, so a one-color logo that needs a white base is counted as a 2-color print.
Can a Pantone color be matched on a poly mailer?
Yes on white poly mailer film, to a tolerance agreed at proof stage; on clear or frosted film the same Pantone needs a white underprint to reach the reference shade.
Should photos on a bag be printed as spot colors or CMYK?
Photos and gradients are printed as 4-color process (CMYK); spot colors are used only for flat brand elements, so a photo design with one exact brand color is typically a 5-color job.
Custom Printed Bags From Heyi Custom Bags
Heyi Custom Bags prints zipper bags, die-cut handle bags, custom poly mailer bags and stand-up pouches in 1 to 10 colors with Pantone matching, 0.01 to 0.2 mm thick, in factories in Dongguan, China and Haiphong, Vietnam. ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and GRS certified; fixed MOQ 5,000 pcs per design for brands and wholesalers buying in volume; delivery 15 to 25 days after artwork approval; direct shipping to the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and the EU. Send artwork and color count through the custom zipper bags quote page or the request-a-quote form.