In short: To get custom printed packaging bags approved and into production quickly, send vector artwork (AI, PDF or EPS) built on the manufacturer’s dieline, with each brand color given as a Pantone number, 3 mm bleed, fonts outlined and images at 300 dpi. Heyi Custom Bags prints up to 10 colors with Pantone matching at its factories in Dongguan, China and Haiphong, Vietnam, and a clean file lets the 15–25 day production lead time start on day one instead of after a week of corrections.
Most delays in custom bag orders happen before production starts: a logo arrives as a small JPEG, colors are in RGB, or a design built for a box lands in the seal zones. This guide covers what a bag manufacturer needs from your design team and what to check on the proof, for zipper bags, die-cut handle bags, poly mailers, stand-up pouches and coffee bags alike.
Start With the Dieline, Not the Design
A dieline is the flat template showing exact bag dimensions, seal areas, zipper position, gusset depth and any hang hole or valve. Request it before design work begins; Heyi Custom Bags issues a layered vector dieline for every confirmed bag size with print-safe and no-print zones marked. Side seals typically take 8–12 mm, bottom seals 10–15 mm, and a zipper strip another 15–25 mm below the top edge, so keep the logo, product name and barcode at least 5 mm inside the print-safe zone.
File Formats and Resolution
Send vector files: Adobe Illustrator (.ai), press-ready PDF (PDF/X-1a or X-4) or EPS. Raster files (JPG, PNG, PSD) are fine for photographs but not for logos, text or barcodes.
- Raster images at 300 dpi at final print size (a 20 cm wide photo needs at least 2,362 px).
- Fonts outlined or converted to curves.
- 3 mm bleed on every edge that runs to the edge of the film.
- Artwork, dieline and notes on separate named layers; the dieline as a non-printing spot color.
- Linked images embedded or packaged with the file.
Color: Pantone, CMYK and the Limits of Film
Gravure or flexo plates carry one ink each. Heyi Custom Bags prints up to 10 colors per design and matches solids to Pantone references, so a Pantone (PMS) number for each brand color is the most useful thing you can supply; RGB or HEX values describe a screen, not an ink.
- Clear and frosted films need a white underprint. An opaque logo on a frosted CPE zipper bag needs a white base layer, which counts as one of your colors.
- Metallic and fluorescent Pantones need special inks; confirm availability first.
- Photographic gradients print as four-color CMYK process and will not match a Pantone swatch exactly. Keep brand-critical solids as spot colors.
Specification Checklist by Bag Type
Pair the design file with the specifications below so the quote and the proof describe the same bag. Heyi Custom Bags quotes at a fixed MOQ of 5,000 pieces per design and serves brands, wholesalers and distributors buying at volume.
| Bag type | Dimensions to specify | Typical thickness | Artwork notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zipper bag (PE/CPE) | W × H + zipper position | 0.06–0.12 mm | Text 20 mm below top edge; white underprint on frosted film |
| Die-cut handle bag | W × H + handle cut-out | 0.05–0.10 mm | No print within 15 mm of the handle cut |
| Poly mailer | W × H + flap length | 0.06–0.10 mm | Flap usually unprinted; mark adhesive strip |
| Stand-up pouch | W × H + bottom gusset | 0.10–0.16 mm (laminate) | Gusset prints separately; allow for zipper and tear notch |
| Coffee bag with valve | W × H + gusset + valve position | 0.12–0.20 mm | 25 mm clear around valve; legal text on back panel |
Heyi Custom Bags produces film from 0.01 mm to 0.2 mm, so thin liners and heavy reusable printed die-cut handle bags are both possible. State thickness in mm or microns rather than “mil” alone (1 mil = 0.0254 mm).
What to Check on the Proof
A digital PDF proof shows the design on the dieline with seal zones overlaid. Check spelling and legal text, barcode size (at least 80% magnification, dark bars on a light background), front and back orientation, color callouts against your Pantone list, and final dimensions in mm. Once you approve in writing, plates or cylinders are made and the 15–25 day lead time begins; changes after that mean new plates and a reset clock. For color-critical brands, ask for a printed drawdown on the actual film first. If you are weighing plate-based against digital printing, see our guide to digital vs. gravure printing for custom pouches.
Artwork Problems That Delay Orders
The issues we see most often: a logo supplied only as a low-resolution PNG; colors in RGB with no Pantone reference; a barcode placed across a gusset fold; text below 6 pt or lines thinner than 0.2 mm, which fill in on flexible film; and recycling codes or country-of-origin marks added in a second round. Each costs 2–5 working days of back-and-forth.
FAQ
What file format should I send for custom printed packaging bags?
Send vector artwork as Adobe Illustrator (.ai), press-ready PDF or EPS, built on the manufacturer’s dieline with fonts outlined and 3 mm bleed. Any raster images inside the file should be 300 dpi at final print size.
How many colors can be printed on a plastic bag?
Heyi Custom Bags prints up to 10 colors on a single design, with solid colors matched to Pantone references. A white underprint on clear or frosted film counts as one of those colors.
Why does the factory need Pantone codes instead of RGB or HEX?
RGB and HEX describe light on a screen, not ink on film. Pantone codes correspond to physical ink formulations, which is how a printer mixes and checks a color on the actual plastic.
How long does production take after artwork approval?
At Heyi Custom Bags, production takes 15–25 days after the proof is approved in writing, depending on bag type, number of colors and quantity. The MOQ is 5,000 pieces per design.
Artwork Support From Heyi Custom Bags
Heyi Custom Bags runs three factories in Dongguan, China and one in Haiphong, Vietnam, with an in-house prepress team that checks every file against the dieline before plates are made. We are ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and GRS certified and ship directly to the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and the EU. Send your bag type, size, quantity and artwork for a dieline, digital proof and quote. Request a quote →