Ordering from a custom non-woven bags manufacturer requires getting three specifications right before production begins: GSM, dimensions, and printing method. Most ordering problems trace back to incomplete specifications — and the manufacturer filling in the gaps with the cheapest available option.

Ordering custom non-woven bags for the first time — or switching to a new supplier — is straightforward when you know what specifications to provide. Most ordering problems, production delays, and quality disputes in custom non-woven bag procurement trace back to the same root cause: the buyer did not provide complete technical specifications, and the manufacturer filled in the gaps with whatever was cheapest or most convenient.

This guide walks through every specification decision required to order custom non-woven bags correctly — from GSM selection to size determination to printing method — so that what arrives is exactly what was intended.

Custom Non-woven Bags Manufacturer: Define Application First

Before specifying any material parameter, define exactly what the bag needs to do:

• What will be placed inside it? (Weight, dimensions, sharp edges?)
• How many times will it be used? (Single use, 10 uses, 100+ uses?)
• Where will it be used? (Clean warehouse, outdoor event, retail store?)
• Does it need to carry a printed logo or design?
• Does it need water resistance?
• What sustainability requirements apply?

Answering these questions before opening a specification form prevents the most common ordering mistake: specifying a bag that is either over-engineered (and more expensive than needed) or under-engineered (and fails in service).

Step 2: Select the Right GSM

GSM (grams per square meter) is the single most important specification. It determines the bag’s strength, durability, feel, and cost — and it is the specification most commonly under-specified or substituted by manufacturers.

GSM Selection Guide:

Critical rule: Always specify GSM as a minimum in your purchase order — not just a nominal value. Write “minimum 100 GSM” not “100 GSM.” Manufacturers who cut corners substitute lower GSM material because the difference is invisible until the bag fails in use. A minimum specification requirement gives you contractual basis to reject non-conforming product.

Step 3: Choose the Material Construction

Unlaminated PP Spunbond

The standard construction — natural non-woven surface texture, good for screen printing, breathable, lowest cost. Correct for most industrial and promotional applications.

BOPP Laminated

A smooth, glossy film surface laminated over the non-woven base — provides water resistance, easier cleaning, and significantly better print quality for complex multi-color or photographic designs. Specify for premium retail, branded corporate packaging, and applications requiring water resistance.

Matte Laminated

Same as BOPP laminated but with a matte surface finish — preferred for a more understated, premium appearance. Popular for luxury retail and professional B2B applications.

Recycled Content

Specify if sustainability documentation is required — bags with 30–40% post-industrial recycled PP content are available with comparable performance to virgin material.

Step 4: Determine the Correct Size

Non-woven drawstring bags are custom manufactured — all dimensions are made to order. There is no “standard” size that manufacturers stock. To specify dimensions correctly:

Measure your product — not the bag Measure the actual product or component that will go inside the bag. Add clearance on each dimension for loading and removal — typically 20–30mm per side for easy loading without forcing. For products with irregular shapes, measure the widest point in each dimension.

Account for drawstring closure volume A drawstring bag’s usable depth is typically 30–50mm less than the total bag height — the top portion is taken up by the hem and drawstring. If your product is 250mm tall, specify a bag height of at least 300–310mm to ensure the contents fit below the drawstring closure.

Specify as: Width × Height (× Gusset depth if applicable) Example: “350mm × 420mm, no gusset” or “280mm × 350mm × 80mm gusset”

Step 5: Select the Printing Method

Screen Printing — the default choice for most orders

Screen printing is the correct method for the majority of custom non-woven bag orders: logos, text, simple graphics, 1–4 colors. It produces durable, high-saturation prints that maintain quality through repeated use and cleaning. Setup requires a separate screen per color — this generates a one-time setup cost that is amortized across the order quantity, making screen printing very cost-effective at volumes of 500 pieces and above.

What to provide: Vector artwork file (AI or EPS format), Pantone color codes for each print color, print dimensions (width × height of printed area), print location on bag (front, back, both).

Heat Transfer — for full-color complex designs

Heat transfer is the correct method when your design includes photographic imagery, complex gradients, or more than 4 colors. A full-color digital print is made on transfer paper and heat-pressed onto the bag surface. Higher per-unit cost than screen printing, but no color-based setup cost and lower minimum quantities.

Digital Printing — for samples and very short runs

Direct digital printing onto non-woven fabric. No minimum quantity, no setup cost — suitable for prototypes, samples, and orders under 100 pieces. Not recommended for the final production order if screen printing is viable at the intended volume.

Step 6: Specify Drawstring and Construction Details

Drawstring material: Polyester cord (recommended for industrial and repeated-use) or PP cord (lower cost, lower strength — acceptable for light promotional use).

Drawstring color: Match to bag color, contrast color, or brand color. Specify Pantone code if exact color matching is required.

Seam construction: Standard overlocked seam (general use) or reinforced double-stitched seam (heavy industrial use, loads over 3kg, high-frequency reuse).

Bottom construction: Flat bottom (standard) or gusseted bottom (for bulkier contents or self-standing requirement).

Closure: Standard drawstring (default). With cord lock (for applications requiring secure hold without retying). With reinforced grommets (for heavy loads).

Step 7: Request a Pre-production Sample

For any new custom bag order — regardless of supplier experience — always request a pre-production sample before committing to full production quantity. The sample allows verification of:

• Actual GSM vs specified (weigh the sample and calculate)
• Print color accuracy vs Pantone reference
• Seam integrity under intended load
• Drawstring operation and cord quality
• Dimensional accuracy vs specification

Approving a pre-production sample creates a physical quality standard that the production run must match — and provides a clear reference point if quality disputes arise.

Common Specification Mistakes to Avoid

Specifying GSM without a minimum guarantee The most expensive mistake. Write “minimum 100 GSM” in your purchase order.

Providing raster artwork instead of vector Raster images (JPEG, PNG) cannot be scaled without quality loss. Always provide vector artwork (AI, EPS, or PDF with embedded fonts) for screen printing.

Not specifying Pantone colors “Red” means something different to every manufacturer. Specify Pantone Matching System (PMS) codes for every print color to ensure accurate reproduction.

Ordering the minimum quantity to save cost Non-woven bags have significant per-unit cost reduction between minimum quantities and larger runs. Get a tiered price quote (MOQ, 2× MOQ, 5× MOQ) before committing — the volume discount often makes a larger order the better economic decision.

Not accounting for drawstring area in height specification Always add 50mm to your required product depth when specifying total bag height to account for the drawstring closure area.

Complete Specification Summary Template

When placing a custom non-woven bag order, provide the following:

Material: PP spunbond / BOPP laminated / matte laminated / recycled content
GSM: [value] minimum
Dimensions: [W]mm × [H]mm × [Gusset]mm (if applicable)
Drawstring: Polyester / PP, color: [Pantone code or description]
Seam: Standard overlocked / reinforced double-stitched
Bottom: Flat / gusseted
Closure: Standard drawstring / cord lock / reinforced grommets
Print method: Screen printing / heat transfer / digital
Print colors: [list all Pantone codes]
Print location: Front only / back only / both sides
Print dimensions: [W]mm × [H]mm
Artwork file: AI / EPS / PDF (vector)
Quantity: [units]
Sample required before production: Yes / No

Providing complete specifications upfront eliminates the most common sources of production delays, quality disputes, and reorder costs.

Contact Mavis for custom non-woven bag specifications, samples, and pricing: mavisv.com/contact