December 14, 2025
How Much Does It Typically Cost to Order Custom Bags in Bulk?
And How Do I Go About It?
Achieve full transparency and get an accurate quote for your bulk bag manufacturing needs by using these tips!
And How Do I Go About it?
For any business, ordering custom merchandise like bags is a strategic marketing investment. The key to successful procurement is understanding how pricing is determined.
The cost of custom bulk bags is not a fixed price, but a dynamic calculation based on a few key factors that wholesale suppliers use to create your final per-unit quote.
Here is a concise breakdown of the elements that influence the cost of your custom bulk bag order.
1. The Core Factor: Material & Quality
The raw material you choose forms the foundation of the bag's price. Higher-end, heavier-weight, or specialty materials will increase the base cost per unit. Having said that, it is the material also that will determine how well the bag is received by the users. So this becomes the most important starting point when designing the bag.
- Jute (The Eco-Saver): Jute is one of the most cost-effective and sustainable options. It offers natural, rustic appeal and excellent strength, making it budget-friendly for large promotional runs.
- Canvas (The Classic Workhorse): Pricing for canvas depends heavily on the weight (measured in ounces or gsm). A heavier canvas (e.g., 12oz or 16oz) is more durable and premium, thus more expensive than a lighter, promotional-grade cotton canvas. Select the grammage of the canvas based on your target audience, use-case and budget.
- Juco (The Best of Both): Juco (a blend of Jute and Cotton) offers a smoother, finer weave than pure jute, making it ideal for more detailed printing. It sits at a slightly higher price point than basic jute due to the added cotton content and refined finish.
- Denim (The Premium Look): Denim and other specialty materials are often used for high-end retail merchandise or employee bags. These generally have a higher base cost due to the complexity of the fabric and its premium retail appeal. This also leads to more unique bags that last longer in public memory.
Bulk Cost Rule: Choosing a mid-range material like a good quality jute or a mid-weight canvas (10oz) offers the best balance of cost and durability for most bulk orders.
2. The Customization Cost: Printing vs. Embroidery
Once you have your blank bag, the chosen customization method determines the next layer of cost.
A. Printing (Most Common & Cost-Effective)
Printing is the go-to choice for large logos, colorful designs, and achieving a low per-unit price in bulk. There are many different methods of printing on eco friendly bags. Let us analyse what works best in different scenarios.
| Printing Method | Best For | How it Affects Cost |
| Silk Screen Printing | Simple designs, 1-3 solid colors, and large volume orders (100+ units). | Cost-Effective in Bulk. It has a higher initial setup fee (for creating the screens), but the per-bag cost is very low once setup is complete. More colors = Higher Cost. |
| Heat Transfer Printing | Designs with multiple colors or gradients (like photos/complex logos) on smaller orders. | Flexible. It can be slightly cheaper than digital printing for moderate volumes, but may not be as cost-effective as screen printing for very large runs. |
| Digital Printing (DTG) | Full-color, high-detail photos, and low-volume or personalized runs. | Low Setup Cost. Great for small quantities as there is no screen setup fee. However, the per-bag cost is typically higher than screen printing on very large bulk orders. |
B. Embroidery (The Premium Option)
Embroidery involves stitching your design onto the bag.
- Cost Factor: Embroidery is generally more expensive than printing. The price is determined by the stitch count (how large and dense the design is), not the number of colors. It provides a highly durable, premium, and sophisticated finish, justifying the higher cost for executive gifts or high-end retail.
3. The Volume Discount: Quantity is King
This is the single biggest factor in reducing your per-unit cost.
- Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): All bulk suppliers have an MOQ (typically starting at 50, 100, or 250 units). Ordering below the MOQ usually incurs a significant premium or is not possible. We understand that sometimes a small run is necessary so we do undertake print jobs with No MOQ. But here is definitely a higher price to be paid for the flexibility.
- The Tiers: The per-unit price drops significantly as you cross volume tiers (e.g., the cost per bag for 500 units will be substantially lower than the cost for 100 units). This is because the fixed costs (artwork setup, production prep, machine time) are spread across more bags.
4. Other Factors to Budget For
- Bag Features: Any additional features like zippers, inner pockets, insulation (for cooler bags), different colored handles, or special sizing will increase the base price.
- Rush Orders: If you need bags delivered quickly (e.g., within a week for an event), expect to pay a rush fee on top of the base quote.
- Shipping & Packaging: Factor in the cost of delivery. Jute and canvas are sturdy and heavy, so bulk shipping can be substantial.
Ready to Get Your Quote?
At D'Arts and Designs, we pride ourselves on transparent pricing and providing tailored bulk solutions using jute, canvas, juco, and denim.
To get the most accurate and competitive quote for your next custom order, we need to know your:
- Quantity (e.g., 25 units, 1,000 units).
- Material Preference (e.g., Jute Shopper, $12 \text{oz}$ Canvas Tote).
- Customization Method (e.g., 1-color screen print, full-color digital print).
If you want to know more, request a no-obligations quote with free artwork mockup today by writing to us here.
