Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): 2,000 bags
Writing “custom printed FIBC” on a purchase order is not a printing specification — because it tells the manufacturer almost nothing about how many panels get printed, which panels get printed, how many colors are required, where the artwork belongs, how large it should be, or which artwork revision is actually approved for production.
This is one of those purchasing details that looks harmless until the shipment arrives.
Wrong logo.
Wrong panel.
Wrong orientation.
Old phone number.
Tiny product name.
Document pouch sitting over the artwork.
Or everybody’s favorite:
The manufacturer printed exactly what you sent them — and what you sent them was wrong.
The fix is simple.
Treat printing like an actual controlled part of the FIBC specification.
Here’s how.
Printed panels refer to the exterior surfaces of the FIBC where approved text, logos, graphics, symbols, or identification are applied.
Printing may include:
Company name.
Logo.
Product name.
Product family.
Product code.
Handling information.
Identification fields.
Lot or batch fields.
Customer information.
Contact information.
Standard markings.
Other application-specific information.
Your purchase order should connect those requirements to approved artwork and the approved FIBC drawing.
Because printing creates another set of variables.
The base FIBC may be identical between two quotes.
But Supplier A may quote:
One printed panel.
One ink color.
Simple artwork.
Supplier B may quote:
Multiple printed panels.
Multiple colors.
More complex artwork.
Those aren’t equivalent quotes.
If printing matters, define it before comparing price.
Start here.
Not with colors.
Not with logos.
Not with graphic design.
Ask:
What information should permanently remain on this FIBC?
That might include:
Company identity.
Standard product information.
Standard handling information.
Generic identification.
Permanent instructions.
Other information that stays consistent throughout the production run.
Don’t permanently print information just because you have space.
Every piece of information should have a job.
This decision can save you thousands of dollars in obsolete inventory.
Fixed information stays relatively consistent.
Examples:
Company logo.
Company name.
Standard product family.
Standard handling information.
Variable information changes.
Examples:
Lot.
Batch.
Production date.
Customer order.
Shipment.
Destination.
Think carefully before permanently preprinting variable data.
Labels, write-in fields, document pouches, barcodes, QR codes, or digital systems may provide more flexibility.
Don’t write:
“Printed.”
Specify how many panels receive printing.
One?
Two?
Multiple?
The correct number depends on visibility and workflow.
If the FIBC is always oriented the same way, one printed panel may be enough.
If bags rotate during handling or need to be identified from multiple directions, more printed surfaces may make sense.
If panel location matters, identify it on the approved FIBC drawing.
Don’t rely on vague instructions like:
“Print on front.”
What’s the front?
The side with the document pouch?
The side facing the operator?
The side facing outward on the pallet?
The side with a particular seam orientation?
Define it.
This gets overlooked.
Maybe every printed side gets the same logo.
Or maybe:
Panel 1 = company branding.
Panel 2 = product identification.
Panel 3 = handling information.
Panel 4 = variable identification fields.
Those are very different printing requirements.
Your artwork package and FIBC drawing should make the arrangement clear.
If the number of colors matters, put it in the specification.
Don’t assume the supplier knows.
Printing complexity and cost can change based on the artwork and number of colors.
If the logo uses several colors but you’re happy with a simplified industrial version, decide that before quoting.
Call or Text us at 832.400.1394
If exact or controlled colors matter, provide the appropriate approved color reference through the process agreed upon with the supplier.
Don’t write:
“Dark blue.”
and expect everyone on Earth to imagine the exact same blue.
If precise brand matching isn’t critical, say so.
If it is critical, control it.
Don’t send the supplier a screenshot of your website logo and hope for the best.
Provide artwork in the format and quality requested by the manufacturer.
Good source artwork helps preserve:
Logo proportions.
Text.
Line quality.
Layout.
Color separation.
Overall clarity.
Ask the manufacturer what file format they prefer before production.
This sounds boring.
Do it anyway.
A controlled artwork file might have a clear identifier connected to:
Customer.
FIBC part number.
Product.
Artwork revision.
That is infinitely better than:
FINAL-LOGO-NEW-USE-THIS-ONE-V7.pdf
Your future purchasing department will thank you.
Artwork changes.
Maybe:
Logo changes.
Phone number changes.
Website changes.
Product terminology changes.
Handling instructions change.
Customer branding changes.
When the artwork changes, control the revision.
Then reference the approved revision on the purchase order.
How large should the printed area be?
If dimensions matter, define them on the artwork or drawing.
Don’t assume:
“Make the logo big.”
means anything.
At the same time, don’t make artwork larger simply because the panel has available space.
Design around readability and function.
Where exactly does the artwork sit?
Centered?
Upper portion?
Lower portion?
Offset?
Relative to seams?
Relative to the document pouch?
Relative to labels?
If placement matters, show it on the approved drawing.
This sounds obvious until the artwork ends up rotated relative to how the filled bag is normally presented.
Define orientation where necessary.
Remember:
The artwork needs to work when the bag is filled, lifted, palletized, stored, and received.
Not just when the empty fabric is lying flat.
Never approve printing solely based on an empty bag.
An FIBC changes shape after filling.
It may:
Bulge.
Curve.
Wrinkle.
Expand.
Become more square depending on construction.
Important text can distort if poorly positioned.
Evaluate critical artwork based on the loaded package.
How far away will somebody be when they need to read the information?
Two feet?
Ten feet?
Across a warehouse aisle?
That should influence:
Text size.
Logo size.
Information hierarchy.
Contrast.
A product name that needs to be seen from a forklift should not be treated like fine print.
Not every line deserves equal visual weight.
You might decide:
Primary: Product name.
Secondary: Company logo.
Operational: Handling information.
Variable: Lot field.
The hierarchy depends on the application.
But define what matters most.
Otherwise, the panel becomes a wall of text.
FIBCs are industrial packaging.
Readability wins.
Tiny text may look clean on a digital proof and become practically useless on the real bag.
If information matters operationally, make sure it can actually be read.
The fabric color and ink need sufficient visual contrast for the intended application.
This is particularly important for:
Product identification.
Handling information.
Barcodes.
QR codes.
Other critical information.
If readability matters, don’t sacrifice it for subtle design.
You’re not printing on a glossy brochure.
You’re printing on flexible woven packaging.
The substrate can influence:
Print appearance.
Fine detail.
Edges.
Artwork clarity.
Color appearance.
Highly detailed graphics may not reproduce like they would on rigid packaging or premium labels.
Design accordingly.
Critical information shouldn’t disappear into a seam or awkward fold.
The FIBC construction and printing layout need to work together.
This is why the artwork and bag drawing shouldn’t exist in two completely separate universes.
Review them together.
Lifting-loop construction can influence usable print areas.
Make sure artwork doesn’t create visual confusion around:
Loop attachments.
Handling areas.
Other important components.
Again, design the complete bag.
The top construction can affect:
Panel orientation.
How operators install the bag.
Which panel faces them.
Where the artwork sits after filling.
If operators need to see printed information during filling, account for that.
The bottom construction usually serves a different function from printing, but think through the entire lifecycle.
If employees need to identify the product immediately before discharge, critical information should remain visible in the discharge setup.
This is an easy one to mess up.
Marketing approves the logo.
Purchasing approves the pouch.
Manufacturer puts both in the same spot.
Now the pouch is covering half the logo.
Define:
Artwork location.
Document pouch location.
Pouch dimensions.
Required clear space.
on the same controlled design.
If variable labels will be applied later, give them somewhere to go.
Don’t cover permanent artwork.
Don’t cover important markings.
Don’t force warehouse personnel to stick labels wherever they can find empty fabric.
Define a label area if necessary.
If the FIBC application requires specific markings or identification, those requirements need appropriate space.
Commercial artwork should not obscure important required information.
Branding is secondary to the package doing its job correctly.
Maybe you don’t want the actual lot number permanently preprinted.
Good.
You can still create a consistent field.
For example:
LOT: ______
BATCH: ______
DATE: ______
Then your operation can add variable information using the appropriate controlled method.
If you want a barcode printed directly onto the FIBC, evaluate the complete scanning requirement.
Consider:
Barcode dimensions.
Print quality.
Contrast.
Surface texture.
Filled-bag curvature.
Scanner type.
Scanning distance.
Lighting.
Don’t assume a barcode that works on a paper proof will automatically work on the FIBC.
Test it.
Same rule.
QR-code performance can be affected by:
Distortion.
Wrinkles.
Surface texture.
Curvature.
Print clarity.
Code dimensions.
Lighting.
Viewing angle.
If scanning matters operationally, test the actual printed FIBC.
Sometimes the permanent artwork should stay simple.
Then a high-quality variable label handles:
Barcode.
Lot.
Batch.
Date.
Order information.
That can provide more flexibility.
Don’t force every information technology onto the printed panel.
If the information is:
Long.
Removable.
Customer-specific.
Document-based.
Shipment-specific.
a pouch may make more sense.
Printing should not become a six-page certificate plastered across the side of a bulk bag.
Use the right tool.
Before choosing which panels to print, ask how the filled bags sit on the pallet.
Will the printed side face:
Outward?
Inward?
Another FIBC?
A wall?
Stretch wrap?
If identification needs to remain visible, panel selection matters.
Call or Text us at 832.400.1394
Which side faces the aisle?
If product identification is important, put it where people can see it.
This may influence whether one or multiple panels should be printed.
Stretch wrap may create:
Glare.
Reduced visibility.
Distortion.
Additional reflections.
If information must be read while the pallet is still wrapped, test it in that condition.
Fine powders can migrate onto the exterior when containment isn’t adequate.
That can cover printing.
If visibility matters in a fine-powder application, consider the complete containment system separately.
That may include:
Coated fabric.
Sift-resistant seams.
Liner.
Filling controls.
Discharge controls.
Printing does not solve product leakage.
If bags may be stored outdoors, tell the supplier.
Outdoor conditions may include:
UV.
Rain.
Dust.
Heat.
Cold.
Condensation.
Abrasion.
If printed information needs to remain readable through those conditions, that requirement should be considered during specification.
Printed panels don’t make an FIBC food grade.
If the bag is used for a food or food-ingredient application, separate requirements may include:
Product-contact materials.
Manufacturing controls.
Contamination controls.
Liner.
Traceability.
Documentation.
Customer requirements.
Treat printing as one component of the overall specification.
Printing also doesn’t determine whether the FIBC should be Type A, B, C, or D.
Electrostatic classification depends on the application.
If specialized electrostatic construction is required, incorporate printing into the complete approved FIBC design.
Type C FIBCs require proper grounding during filling and discharge.
Artwork shouldn’t interfere with or obscure relevant:
Grounding information.
Identification.
Operational markings.
Other important information.
Printing doesn’t change the grounding requirement.
Type D FIBCs use static-dissipative construction without requiring grounding of the FIBC itself.
If printing is required, incorporate it into the complete approved design.
Don’t casually alter important markings or panel layouts without reviewing the specification.
If the FIBC is supplied under a particular certified construction, required markings need appropriate consideration.
Your commercial artwork should not casually:
Replace them.
Cover them.
Obscure them.
Conflict with them.
Coordinate all printed information before production.
This is purchasing 101.
Suppose one generic FIBC construction can serve five products.
If you print each product permanently, you may create five separate packaging inventories.
If you use generic company printing plus variable labels, you may maintain more flexibility.
There is no universal right answer.
Compare:
Volume.
Forecast.
Lead time.
Inventory carrying cost.
Customer requirements.
Product requirements.
Obsolescence risk.
Then decide.
Printing a customer’s:
Name.
Logo.
Part number.
Product.
can make sense for dedicated programs.
But once printed, those bags may have little value anywhere else.
Before committing to a large quantity, make sure the expected volume supports dedicated inventory.
The same applies to your own products.
If product names, grades, or codes change frequently, overly specific artwork can create obsolete packaging.
Use permanent printing for stable information.
Use variable systems for variable information.
Everything.
Check:
Company name.
Logo.
Product name.
Product code.
Phone number.
Website.
Email where applicable.
Instructions.
Symbols.
Spelling.
Punctuation.
Panel assignment.
Orientation.
Artwork revision.
Do not assume somebody else checked it.
Depending on the application, artwork may need review from:
Purchasing.
Operations.
Quality.
Marketing.
Customer.
EHS or regulatory personnel where relevant.
Not every organization needs five signatures.
The point is simple:
The people responsible for the information should verify it before thousands of copies are printed.
A proof can help confirm:
Artwork content.
Layout.
Panel assignment.
Orientation.
Colors.
Text.
A representative sample can go further by showing how the artwork behaves on the actual FIBC.
Use the appropriate approval process for the importance of the program.
If possible, fill the sample.
Then check:
Does the logo distort?
Is the product name readable?
Does the artwork remain visible?
Does the pouch cover anything?
Do labels have room?
Can the barcode scan?
Can the QR code scan?
What happens during lifting?
What happens on the pallet?
The filled FIBC tells you more than the flat one.
The drawing should help identify:
Printed panels.
Artwork position.
Orientation.
Document pouch.
Labels.
Other relevant components.
Then reference the drawing on the purchase order.
The FIBC drawing may define where the artwork goes.
The artwork file defines what gets printed.
Reference both.
For example:
FIBC drawing and revision.
Artwork file and revision.
Now there’s far less room for interpretation.
A complete purchase order may identify:
FIBC Part Number: Controlled internal or supplier part number.
Product: Material intended for the bag.
Bulk Density: Relevant product bulk density.
Target Fill Weight: Intended filled weight.
Safe Working Load: Required SWL.
Fabric: Approved construction.
Coating: Coated or uncoated as required.
Top: Approved filling/top construction.
Bottom: Approved discharge/bottom construction.
Liner: Type and requirement where applicable.
Seams: Required seam construction.
Loops: Approved lifting configuration.
Electrostatic Type: A, B, C, or D where applicable.
Food-Related Requirements: Where applicable.
Printing: Required.
Printed Panels: Defined number and locations.
Colors: Defined number and approved requirements.
Artwork: Controlled file.
Artwork Revision: Current approved revision.
Artwork Position: Per approved drawing.
Labels: Defined separately where applicable.
Document Pouch: Defined separately where applicable.
Drawing: Approved FIBC drawing.
Drawing Revision: Current approved revision.
That’s a specification.
Your actual wording should match your approved design, but a controlled printing section might look like this:
PRINTING: REQUIRED
Printed Panels: Per approved FIBC drawing.
Artwork: Per approved artwork file.
Artwork Revision: Current approved revision as referenced on PO.
Print Colors: Per approved artwork.
Artwork Position: Per approved FIBC drawing.
Orientation: Per approved drawing.
Variable Fields: Per approved artwork where applicable.
Document Pouch: Must not obscure printed artwork where applicable.
Labels: Applied in designated area where applicable.
Approval: No artwork substitutions or location changes without approval.
Simple.
Clear.
Repeatable.
Make sure everybody is quoting the same bag.
| Requirement | Supplier A | Supplier B |
|---|---|---|
| 📦 Same FIBC construction | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🏋️ Same SWL | ✓ | ✓ |
| ⬆️ Same top | ✓ | ✓ |
| ⬇️ Same bottom | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🧴 Same liner | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🧵 Same seams | ✓ | ✓ |
| ⚡ Same electrostatic type | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🖨️ Same printed panels | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🎨 Same number of colors | ✓ | ✓ |
| 📐 Same artwork requirements | ✓ | ✓ |
| 📍 Same artwork placement | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🏷️ Same labels | ✓ | ✓ |
| 📄 Same document pouch | ✓ | ✓ |
| 📋 Same documentation | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🚚 Same delivery basis | ✓ | ✓ |
Now compare price.
Otherwise, the lowest quote may simply contain less printing.
Avoid these:
Writing only “custom printed.”
Not defining the number of printed panels.
Not identifying which panels.
Not defining the number of colors.
Sending low-quality artwork.
Not assigning an artwork revision.
Not checking spelling.
Using the wrong logo.
Using an old website.
Using an old phone number.
Printing variable information permanently.
Making text too small.
Using poor contrast.
Ignoring seams.
Ignoring filled-bag distortion.
Ignoring pallet orientation.
Ignoring warehouse visibility.
Covering artwork with a document pouch.
Leaving nowhere for labels.
Failing to test barcodes.
Failing to test QR codes.
Ignoring outdoor exposure.
Failing to approve artwork before production.
Failing to reference the artwork on the PO.
Failing to reference the FIBC drawing.
Failing to control revisions.
Every one is preventable.
Before releasing the order, verify four categories.
Artwork: Correct logo, company name, product information, spelling, contact information, number of colors, artwork dimensions, orientation, panel assignment, approved file, and revision.
FIBC: Product, bulk density, target fill weight, safe working load, fabric, coating, top, bottom, liner, seams, loops, electrostatic classification, food-related requirements where applicable, and loaded shape.
Information System: Permanent printing, variable labels, lot/batch fields, document pouch, barcode, QR code, digital records, and any required markings.
Operations: Filling, lifting, palletization, stretch wrapping, storage, warehouse visibility, transportation, customer receiving, outdoor exposure where applicable, and nationwide distribution requirements.
If those four categories are controlled, you’re not ordering a bag with some ink on it.
You’re ordering a repeatable packaging specification.
Don’t write:
“White bulk bag with logo.”
and expect perfection.
Define what needs to be printed.
Separate fixed information from variable information.
Specify how many panels.
Identify which panels.
Specify the number of colors.
Provide production-ready artwork.
Control the artwork revision.
Define artwork size and position where necessary.
Coordinate the printing with:
Seams.
Loops.
Labels.
Document pouches.
Required markings.
Palletization.
Warehouse orientation.
Then check the filled bag.
Check the pallet.
Check the barcode.
Check the QR code.
Proofread every word.
Approve the artwork.
Approve the FIBC drawing.
Reference both on the purchase order.
And control every future revision.
Because a typo costs nothing while it’s sitting on your computer.
Once that typo gets printed across 2,000+ bulk bags, you’ve officially turned a spelling mistake into inventory.
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