Bag Makers Imprint Methods Explained
Bag Makers prints logos with a dozen different processes, most of them under its own names. This guide compares them by what they print on, how many colors are in the price, the usual minimum and how many business days production takes, so you can pick the method before you pick the bag.
Imprint methods compared
| Method | Used on | Colors in the price | Typical minimum | Production | Setup | Extra color or location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Print | Non-Woven Tote Bags, Cotton, Canvas & Jute Totes, Polyester Tote Bags, Insulated Bags, Drawstring Backpacks | 1 color | 150 | 4 days | $55 | $0.50 per piece |
| Flexo Ink Print | Plastic Bags, Paper Shopping Bags, Food & Take-Out Bags, Eurotote Bags | 1 color | 150 | 4 days | $65 | $0.20 per piece |
| Foil Print | Eurotote Bags, Custom Satin Ribbon, Paper Shopping Bags, Plastic Bags, Food & Take-Out Bags | 1 color | 150 | 4 days | $50 to 85 | $0.40 per piece |
| ColorVista | Paper Shopping Bags, Non-Woven Tote Bags, Cotton, Canvas & Jute Totes, Food & Take-Out Bags, Eurotote Bags | Full color | 150 | 6 days | None | $1.00 per piece |
| Dynamic Color | Plastic Bags, Non-Woven Tote Bags, Eurotote Bags, Food & Take-Out Bags, Paper Shopping Bags | Full color | 150 | 8 days | $55 | $0.20 per piece |
| Chromatic | Paper Shopping Bags, Eurotote Bags, Printed Tissue Paper | Full color | 150 | 6 days | $55 | |
| Digital Full Color | Plastic Bags | Full color | 250 | 8 days | None | |
| Sparkle | Custom Satin Ribbon, Non-Woven Tote Bags, Cotton, Canvas & Jute Totes, Satin Banners, Sashes & Runners, Insulated Bags | Up to 6 colors | 150 | 10 days | $55 | $2.00 per piece |
| Sublimation | Satin Banners, Sashes & Runners, Custom Satin Ribbon, Polyester Tote Bags, Non-Woven Tote Bags, Cotton, Canvas & Jute Totes | Full color | 5 | 8 days | $55 | |
| Brilliance | Custom Satin Ribbon, Satin Banners, Sashes & Runners | 1 color | 1 | 20 days | $55 | |
| Direct Print | Labels & Gift Cards, Ceremonial Scissors | Full color | 150 | 6 days | None | |
| Marquee | Bows | 1 color | 1 | 30 days | $30 |
Typical values across the bags that offer each method; the product page has the exact minimum, price breaks, setup and production time for that bag. Production is in business days after proof approval, and shipping is added on top. Setup is charged once per design.
What each method looks like
Screen Print
Ink pushed through a screen, one color at a time. It is the fastest and least expensive way to print a simple one-color logo on non-woven, cotton and polyester totes. Each extra color is a run charge per bag.
Examples: Non-Woven Die Cut Bag, 10W x 14H, Non-Woven Die Cut Bag, 13W x 15H x 3, Thrifty™ Budget Tote
Flexo Ink Print
Flexographic printing from a rubber plate, used on paper and plastic bags. It suits one-color logos and text; fine detail and photos are better in a full-color method.
Examples: Paper Merchandise Bag, 7 1/2W x 10 1/2H, White, Paper Merchandise Bag, 7 1/2W x 10 1/2H, Brown Kraft, Paper Merchandise Bag, 10W x 13H, White
Foil Print
A metallic or colored foil pressed onto the bag with heat. It gives paper shoppers, eurototes and ribbon a shiny, premium look. Gold and silver are the usual choices; white foil is not available on ribbon.
Examples: Paper Merchandise Bag, 7 1/2W x 10 1/2H, White, Paper Merchandise Bag, 7 1/2W x 10 1/2H, Brown Kraft, Paper Merchandise Bag, 10W x 13H, White
ColorVista
Bag Makers' multi-color process for close-registration artwork on non-woven and PET totes, cotton totes and paper matte shoppers. The price includes the full design in one location, so logos with several colors or gradients cost the same as a one-color logo.
Examples: Non-Woven Die Cut Bag, 10W x 14H, Non-Woven Die Cut Bag, 13W x 15H x 3, Thrifty™ Budget Tote
Dynamic Color
Bag Makers' full-color process for plastic, paper, laminated non-woven bags and eurototes. Use it for photos and gradients on bags where ColorVista is not offered.
Examples: Non-Woven Die Cut Bag, 10W x 14H, Non-Woven Die Cut Bag, 13W x 15H x 3, Thrifty™ Budget Tote
Chromatic
Bag Makers' full-color process for white and kraft paper shoppers and printed tissue paper.
Examples: Eco Pup Kraft-Brown Shopper, Eco Vino Kraft-Brown Shopper, Pup White Shopper
Digital Full Color
Digital printing on plastic die cut, doorknob and open-end bags. It handles small text and fine lines well, with a higher minimum than flexo.
Examples: 5W x 9H Digital Full-Color Open-End Bag, 5W x 13H Digital Full-Color Open-End Bag, 7 1/2W x 9H Digital Full Color Doorknob Bag
Sparkle
Glossy, reflective dots that make the artwork shine, in up to 6 colors. It is offered on non-woven, polyester and cotton totes, insulated bags, ribbon and gift boxes, and takes longer to produce than the other methods.
Examples: Non-Woven Die Cut Bag, 10W x 14H, Non-Woven Die Cut Bag, 13W x 15H x 3, Thrifty™ Budget Tote
Sublimation
Dye printed into white polyester fabric in full color, edge to edge. Bag Makers uses it on satin ribbon, banners, sashes, runners and polyester totes; minimums are low on ribbon and banners.
Examples: Lake™ R-PET Non-Woven Tote, Sea™ R-PET Non-Woven Tote, Ocean™ R-PET Non-Woven Tote
Brilliance
A one-color ribbon imprint with a matte finish, used on badge satin ribbon and sashes.
Direct Print
Full-color printing straight onto adhesive labels, gift cards and ceremonial scissors.
Marquee
A one-color lettering imprint on the large event bows.
Which method should I choose?
For a one-color logo on a budget, use screen print on fabric totes and flexo on paper or plastic bags; both are produced in about 4 business days. For a logo with several colors, a gradient or a photo, use ColorVista on non-woven, PET and cotton totes, Chromatic on paper shoppers, and Dynamic Color or digital full color on plastic bags. Foil is the premium choice for retail shoppers and eurototes, and Sparkle is the one to pick when you want the bag to stand out at an event.
Not every method is offered on every bag. Each product page lists only the methods Bag Makers offers on that bag, with their own price breaks.
Setup, extra colors and second sides
Most methods carry a one-time setup charge per design, shown on the product page. One-color methods add a run charge per bag for each extra color or location. Full-color methods already include every color in the design, so the only added cost is a second side or location. Your quote shows every charge before you approve the proof.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ColorVista and Dynamic Color?
Both print your design in full color in one location. ColorVista is offered on non-woven, PET and cotton totes and paper matte shoppers and is produced in about 6 business days; Dynamic Color covers plastic, paper and laminated bags and eurototes and takes about 8.
Can I print a full-color logo on a non-woven tote?
Yes, with ColorVista, Dynamic Color (on laminated totes) or sublimation (on PET and R-PET totes). Screen print is one color per screen, so a multi-color logo costs more that way.
What foil colors are there?
Gold and silver foil are standard, and Bag Makers offers colored foils too; ask us for the current foil chart with your quote. White foil is not available on ribbon.
Which method is fastest?
Screen print, flexo and foil, at about 4 business days after proof approval. Sparkle and Brilliance take the longest.
Ready to order? Browse non-woven totes, paper shopping bags or eurototes, read the ordering FAQ or ask for a quote.