Step 1: Choose your material
The most important decision is material: plastic (HDPE/LDPE), paper, or eco-friendly alternatives (compostable, reusable polypropylene). Plastic bags are cost-effective and water-resistant. Paper bags offer a premium, sustainable look. Eco-friendly bags reduce your environmental footprint.
Step 2: Pick the right bag style
T-shirt bags are the most economical. Die-cut bags offer a cleaner aesthetic. Euro bags (flat handles) signal luxury. Patch handle bags are ideal for heavy items. For food service, consider sealable flat bags or paper bags with grease-resistant liner.
Step 3: Determine your size + gauge
Choose a size based on your largest product SKU, with 2–3 inches of clearance on each side. Gauge (thickness) depends on weight: standard retail items need 1.0–1.5 mil; heavy items need 2.0–3.0 mil. For reusable bags, 80–90g non-woven is standard.
Step 4: Plan your print
Spot color printing (1–4 Pantone colors) is lower cost. Process printing (CMYK) enables photographic quality. Full-bleed prints cost the same as partial prints at Alef. Always provide artwork at 300 DPI or as vector AI/EPS files.
Step 5: Calculate your quantity
Our minimum order is 500 units for most products. Pricing drops significantly at 2,500, 5,000, and 10,000 units. For seasonal orders, plan 3–4 weeks ahead to account for production and shipping. We offer reorder programs for consistent volumes.
Step 6: Request a quote
Fill out our quote form with your bag type, size, quantity, and artwork. Our team will respond within 24 hours with pricing and lead time. We'll send a digital proof before production begins — no surprises.