How to Source Custom Printed Bags from China

Step 1 — Write a spec before you contact anyone

Most sourcing failures start with a vague brief. A usable spec covers:

• Product: bag type (tote, drawstring, cooler, gift)
• Material and weight: e.g. 10 oz cotton, or 100 g non-woven
• Size: width × height × gusset, in cm
• Handles: length, material, attachment method
• Printing: method, number of colours, artwork position and size
• Quantity: and whether it may scale
• Destination: country and port — this decides shipping and any compliance documentation

Send the same spec to every supplier. Otherwise you will receive quotes for different products and cannot compare them.

Step 2 — Compare quotes properly, not by the headline number

Two quotes that look 15% apart can be the same price once you align the terms. Normalise every quote on these axes:

Axis	Why it changes the number
Incoterm	FOB vs delivered: who pays freight, insurance, duty
Material weight	80 g vs 120 g non-woven is not the same bag
Print colours	Each screen or setup adds cost
Sample cost	Free, refundable, or charged
Packaging	Polybag, hang tag, carton spec, carton count
Payment terms	Deposit percentage and balance timing

Step 3 — Know who you are buying from

Factories and trading companies both sell internationally and both can be good partners. What matters is that you know which one you are dealing with, because it determines who controls quality and lead time.

• A factory makes the goods. Capacity, quality systems and lead times are theirs.
• A trading company coordinates one or more factories. You get flexibility across products and a single point of contact; you should still know which factory is running your order.

Ask directly. A supplier who is evasive about this is telling you something.

Step 4 — Sample before you commit

Order a physical sample of the exact spec, not a generic catalogue item. When it arrives, check:

• Weight and hand-feel against the spec
• Stitch density, and whether handle attachment points are reinforced
• Print colour against your brand reference, and print position
• Size, measured — not assumed
• Smell and finish (ragged odour suggests cheap ink or poor drying)

Approve in writing and keep the approved sample. It is your reference if the bulk run arrives different.

Step 5 — Control quality before shipment, not after

Arrange an inspection before the goods leave, and have photographs or a video sent to you. Checking on arrival means discovering a problem after freight, duty and weeks of waiting — when your leverage is gone.

A short, specific checklist beats a vague request: pack the cartons, open one, count, photograph the print at a fixed distance, confirm carton dimensions and weight.

Step 6 — Terms, documents and risk

• Payment: a deposit with the balance against shipping documents is normal. Be cautious about paying a large share up front to a supplier you have not used.
• Documents: agree in advance what you need — invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading / AWB, any test reports or material statements.
• Compliance: EU and US rules differ. If you are selling into the EU, responsibility for product compliance sits with you as the seller, so specify requirements before production, not after.

Frequently asked questions

Browse our bag ranges