Every custom bag quote comes with a minimum order quantity, and buyers often read it as a sales tactic. It is not. MOQ is arithmetic: fixed setup costs divided by the number of bags. Understanding the three setups behind it helps you order smarter and negotiate fairly.
The three setup costs
- Print setup - screens for silk screen work, plates for flexo, engraved cylinders for gravure. One setup per design, per colour in some methods.
- Fabric runs - non-woven fabric is produced and dyed in runs; unusual colours need more material committed.
- Cutting and sewing setup - patterns, machine settings and quality checks for your exact size and style.
This is why printing method changes everything: screen printing has light setup and friendly minimums, while BOPP lamination carries cylinder costs that only larger runs can absorb.
How smart small businesses order
- Pick a standard size from the sizes guide to skip pattern costs.
- Keep print to one or two colours in a bold, timeless design you will not want to change next season.
- Order at the value step, usually two to three times minimum, if storage allows; bags do not expire.
- Consolidate: one bag for all products beats three product specific bags at minimum quantity each.
The reorder advantage
Once your setup exists and your specification is on file, reorders are faster and often cheaper per unit. The first order carries the learning; every order after it is pure efficiency. Send your design and target quantity via the enquiry form and we will show you the quantity tiers transparently, the same numbers we use in our cost guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why do laminated bags have higher MOQs?
Their print film is made on engraved gravure cylinders, one per design. That fixed setup cost must be spread across enough bags to keep the unit price sane.
Can I split an order across two designs?
Splitting resets setup for each design, so it rarely saves money. One strong design at a healthy quantity beats two designs at minimum quantity.
How can a small boutique afford custom bags?
Choose screen printed D-cut or tote bags, one or two print colours, and a standard size. That combination has the lowest setup and the friendliest minimums.
Does ordering more really lower the unit price?
Yes, noticeably. Setup is fixed, so every additional bag dilutes it. Most customers see the best value step at two to three times the minimum quantity.
