Ask three suppliers for a bag price and you will get three very different numbers, all for what sounds like the same bag. It usually is not the same bag. This breakdown of custom non-woven bag costs in the UAE shows the five variables that set the price, so you can compare quotes line by line.
1. Size: you buy fabric by area
A 45 x 55 cm bag uses roughly twice the fabric of a 30 x 35 cm bag. Nothing else you choose matters if the size is wrong, so lock the size first using our sizes guide.
2. GSM: you buy fabric by weight
Moving from 80 to 120 GSM adds about half again as much fabric cost. Sometimes that strength is essential; sometimes it is waste. The GSM guide helps you buy exactly the strength your product needs.
3. Printing: method and colours
One colour screen print is the value benchmark. Extra colours, two sided print and full coverage all add passes. Gravure lamination inverts the logic: high setup, low unit cost at volume. Compare methods in our printing comparison.
4. Construction: handles, gussets, finishing
Stitched handles cost more than punched D-cut handles; gussets, base boards, zips and lamination all add steps. Each step is small, but they compound, which is why a premium box bag costs more than a simple D-cut.
5. Quantity: the great divider
Setup costs are fixed, so quantity divides them. Doubling an order rarely doubles the total; it usually cuts the unit price sharply. See how MOQs work for the maths, then request tiered pricing with your enquiry so the value steps are visible before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest factor in bag cost?
Size and GSM together, because you are buying fabric by weight. A large bag at 120 GSM can cost more than double a small bag at 80 GSM before printing is even added.
How much does printing add?
A one colour screen print adds the least. Each extra colour adds a screen and a pass. Gravure lamination adds the most setup but can be cheapest per unit at high volumes.
Why do quotes vary so much between suppliers?
Usually because the specs differ silently: lower GSM, smaller size, thinner handles, simpler stitching. Ask every supplier to quote the identical written spec.
Can I get an exact price without a final design?
You can get an accurate range. Exact pricing needs the design, because print colours and coverage change the print cost.
