The same logo can be printed four different ways, at four different prices, with four different results. Choosing the right bag printing method is the highest leverage decision in a custom bag order. Here is the honest comparison we walk our own customers through.
Silk screen printing
The retail standard. Ink is pushed through a mesh screen, one colour at a time. Strengths: sharp edges, rich solid colours, economical setup, beautiful on totes and D-cut bags. Limits: each colour needs its own screen, so photographic art is out.
Flexographic printing
Flexible plates on high speed presses, printing as the fabric runs. Strengths: unbeatable cost per unit at very large volumes. Limits: softer detail than screen, best for bold, simple designs at supermarket scale.
Gravure on BOPP film
The premium route behind laminated bags. Engraved cylinders print photographic film that is then laminated to the fabric. Strengths: full colour, full surface, magazine quality. Limits: cylinder setup cost means it rewards larger, stable designs.
Heat transfer
Artwork is printed to a carrier and heat pressed onto the bag. Strengths: complex multi colour art on short runs. Limits: higher unit cost and a slightly different hand feel on the print area.
Quick picker
| Your situation | Method |
|---|---|
| Logo, 1 to 4 colours, any quantity | Screen |
| Huge volume, simple design | Flexo |
| Photographic, full surface, premium | Gravure BOPP |
| Complex art, short run | Heat transfer |
Still unsure? Send the artwork via the enquiry form; the right method usually picks itself once we see the design and quantity. Our artwork guide explains file preparation for each method.
Frequently asked questions
Which printing method is cheapest for logos?
Silk screen printing is the most economical for one to four colour logos at small to medium quantities, with sharp results on non-woven fabric.
Which method gives photographic quality?
Gravure printing on BOPP film, used for laminated bags. It reproduces photographs and gradients at magazine quality across the whole bag surface.
When does flexographic printing win?
At very large quantities of simpler designs, flexo's speed makes it the lowest cost per bag for supermarket and mass retail volumes.
What is heat transfer best for?
Detailed multi colour artwork on smaller runs, where gravure setup would be uneconomical. Ideal for promotional and event bags with complex art.
