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Who This Is For

Procurement managers, product developers, and sourcing agents who are placing their first or second order for custom packaging and need a clear, structured way to communicate requirements to OEM factories — without guessing on dimensions, thickness, or print methods.

The Four Pillars of Packaging Specifications

When you send an RFQ to an OEM packaging supplier, four parameters determine the quote, the sample, and ultimately the production quality:

  1. Package size (dimensions)
  2. Material and thickness
  3. Printing specifications
  4. MOQ and lead time

Get these right, and your samples will match what arrives on the factory floor. Get them wrong, and you will waste weeks on revision cycles.

1. Package Size — Beyond Length × Width

Most buyers specify only three numbers: length, width, and gusset (or depth). That is often insufficient for a functional package.

What to specify:

| Parameter | What to Include | Typical Range |

|-----------|----------------|---------------|

| Outer dimensions | L × W × (gusset depth) in mm or inches | P1 (70×100 mm) through P8 (600×900 mm) |

| Closure type | Self-adhesive zipper, press-to-close zipper, heat seal, top fold | Depends on product weight and shelf life |

| Inner volume | Approximate capacity in liters or ml (helpful for bulk products) | 0.5 L – 50 L for garment bags |

| Special features | Ventilation holes, tear notches, hang holes, window cutouts | Usually 1–3 per design |

Rule of thumb: Add 5–10 mm of clearance on each side if the product is rigid (boxes, shoes). Reduce tolerance for soft goods that can compress.

2. Material and Thickness — Getting the Balance Right

Thickness is one of the most misunderstood specs in packaging. Measured in microns (μm) or grams per square meter (GSM), it affects durability, cost, and sustainability credentials.

Common material options for apparel and accessory packaging:

| Material | Typical Thickness | Key Properties | Best For |

|----------|------------------|----------------|----------|

| HDPE | 40–80 μm | Strong, moisture-resistant, recyclable | Garment poly bags, bulk shipping |

| LDPE | 30–60 μm | Soft, flexible, excellent clarity | Premium garment display |

| PP (Polypropylene) | 30–60 μm | Crisp, high gloss, good moisture barrier | Retail-ready shirt bags |

| Glassine | 30–45 GSM | Breathable, oil/moisture resistant, premium feel | Fine garments, leather goods |

| Kraft paper | 40–70 GSM | Eco-friendly, printable, recyclable | Self-adhesive mailing bags |

| Compostable PLA/PBAT | 50–80 μm | Certified compostable, similar feel to LDPE | Eco-conscious e-commerce |

Tip for ordering: Ask your supplier for the micron range that corresponds to a given GSM. For garment bags, 50–65 μm HDPE is the industry standard for mid-range brands; premium brands often go to 70–80 μm.

3. Printing — Methods, Colors, and Quality Expectations

Printing turns a generic bag into a brand asset. But not all methods suit all materials, and the choice affects both cost and visual result.

Available printing methods:

| Method | Color Capacity | Min Line Width | Best Material | Cost Tier |

|--------|---------------|----------------|---------------|-----------|

| Flexographic | 1–8 colors | 0.2 mm | PE, PP, LDPE | $ Low–Mid |

| Rotogravure | Unlimited colors | 0.1 mm | PE, laminated films | $$ High |

| Digital | Full CMYK | 0.1 mm (varies) | Select films, samples | $$$ Premium |

| Silk screen | 1–4 colors | 0.5 mm | Thick films, rigid | $$ Mid–High |

Key considerations:

  • Color count drives cost — each additional color adds a printing plate and a pass through the press. A single-color logo is 30–50% cheaper than a 4-color process print.
  • Color matching — ask the supplier for Pantone spot color matching. For brand-critical color accuracy, request a physical proof before mass production.
  • Print area — confirm which panels will be printed. For T-shirt bags, the front and back panels are standard; side panels cost extra.
  • Film effect — matte, gloss, or embossed finishes change how ink appears. Always request a printed sample on the exact film type.

4. MOQ and Lead Time — Planning Your Order Timeline

MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) varies significantly by packaging type and whether the run is blank (unprinted) or custom-printed.

Typical MOQ ranges:

| Product Type | Blank (No Print) | Custom Printed | Rotogravure |

|-------------|------------------|----------------|-------------|

| Garment poly bags | 5,000–10,000 pcs | 10,000–20,000 pcs | 50,000+ pcs |

| Self-adhesive bags | 3,000–5,000 pcs | 5,000–10,000 pcs | 30,000+ pcs |

| Airplane mailer boxes | 1,000–2,000 pcs | 2,000–5,000 pcs | 10,000+ pcs |

| Rigid gift boxes | 500–1,000 pcs | 1,000–3,000 pcs | 5,000+ pcs |

Lead time expectations:

  • Blank bags — 7–15 production days
  • Flexo-printed bags — 15–25 production days (includes plate making)
  • Custom boxes — 20–35 production days (includes die-cutting and assembly)
  • Shipping — Sea freight: 25–40 days; Air freight: 5–7 days

Certification and Compliance — Don't Skip These

For export markets, certifications are not optional. Include these requirements in your RFQ:

  • GRS (Global Recycled Standard) — for recycled-content bags (minimum 20–80% recycled PE)
  • FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) — for kraft paper and paper-based packaging
  • Sedex / SMETA audit — social compliance required by many European and US retailers
  • REACH / Prop 65 — chemical compliance for the EU and California markets
  • Compostable certifications — EN 13432 (EU), ASTM D6400 (US) for compostable bags

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Your OEM Packaging RFQ Checklist

Copy this list into your email when contacting suppliers:

  1. Product name and application — e.g., "T-shirt garment bags for men's apparel, export to EU"
  2. Exact dimensions — L × W × gusset in mm, with tolerance (e.g., ±5 mm)
  3. Material type and thickness — e.g., "HDPE, 60 μm, 40% recycled content"
  4. Certification needs — GRS, FSC, Sedex, etc.
  5. Print details — number of colors, Pantone codes, print panel(s), film finish (gloss/matte)
  6. Closure type — self-adhesive, zipper, heat seal, etc.
  7. Order quantity and reorder frequency — e.g., "50,000 pcs initial, 30,000 pcs/month ongoing"
  8. Target delivery date — include your target vessel cutoff or warehouse arrival date

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Related Options on chinapolybags.com

If you are building out your packaging toolkit, these products align well with OEM spec planning:

Explore the full catalog at solutions/apparel-packaging.

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Xiahong Packaging has 20+ years of OEM packaging experience in Xiamen, China. Our FSC-certified facilities support Sedex audits, GRS-recycled production, and custom printing up to 8 colors. Contact us at fly@chinapolybags.com or +86-592-5656669 for quotes and samples.