When each step is followed carefully, the process is seamless and results in a high-quality custom product created to meet your specific business needs.
What Factors Determine Plastic Bag Production Time
The total plastic bag production time at A-Pac takes at least three weeks but can vary greatly depending on the specifics of each order, and some suppliers may require longer lead times.
Significant factors that can affect plastic bag production time include:
- Size – length, width, depth, and thickness
- Style – seals and handles
- Quantity
- Branding – custom logos and colors
- Other additives – food grade capability, clarity, etc.
Your lead time may be shorter if you already have a printed design and an approved proof with the supplier. However, the order may take longer if you’re printing a new order with many unique features, a nonstandard style, or custom logos. Remember, as the complexity of a design increases, so do lead times.
How Long Should My Lead Time Be?
To make sure your custom plastic bags arrive when you need them, be sure to plan ahead. Our average lead time is three weeks. This allows plenty of time for designing, approving proofs, production, and unforeseen shipping delays.
So, if you need the bags completed by January 1, you’ll need to place an order on or before December 1 (earlier if your bag’s design is complex).
How We Make Custom Poly Bags
Although seemingly complex, the process required to produce plastic bags is relatively easy to follow. At A-Pac Manufacturing, we’ve implemented a five-step process that ensures you’ll receive a high-quality, custom product without unreasonably delayed lead times.
This is how we do it:
Step 1: Design and Proof Approval
Production of poly bags can’t begin until the bag’s design is complete. Once you’ve worked with us to choose your colors and create a striking design, we can develop a proof of the bag that features all your requested elements, including size, style, color, branding, etc. Then, the proof is sent to you for approval.
Once you receive your proof, you may realize that your logo doesn’t stand out like you imagined or that the handles aren’t as large as you need them to be. If the proof isn’t meeting your expectations, you can request changes, and we’ll develop a new proof and send it to you again. After you approve the proof, we’ll move forward with production.
Estimated timeframe: up to one week, but can extend longer.
Step 2: Poly Film Production
With the specifications of the bag design laid out, the film is ready to be produced. We will manufacture the poly film for your bags to the desired gauge (mil strength), color, bag clarity, and food-grade capability.
Our poly film is manufactured through a process called extrusion molding. In this process, the polyethylene is melted from pellets, then pushed through a die to form a bubble which facilitates the cooling of the film to the required thickness. Then, the film is used to create bags.
Step 3: Poly Film to Custom Plastic Bags
Once cooled, the film is rolled onto a spindle for easy dispensing. The film can be easily unwrapped, cut, and sealed to form the main body of the bags. Handles are cut into the bags during this stage, and any special sealing options are also added.
Step 4: Branding
The next step makes the bags unique to your business – adding your custom branding. During this part of the production, the bags are printed with logos, text, or any other elements requested in your proof. Once branding is complete and the manufacturing process is over, the bags are ready to be sent to the client.
Step 5: Shipping
The last step is to prepare the bags to ship by your preferred method. Shipping time often depends on the distance to the destination and the order size but generally takes about 5-7 business days from standard businesses. At A-Pac Manufacturing, our shipping time is only 1-3 business days!
Place a Rush Order With A-Pac
Need custom plastic bags on a tight schedule? For orders of custom plastic bags, most suppliers offer lead times of four to five weeks – or sometimes longer. If you need a faster turnaround, A-Pac Manufacturing may be able to help you get your bags sooner!
Our estimated design and production schedule typically take three weeks; in some cases, we can work with you to reduce production time even further.
If you need custom plastic bags quickly, give our team a call. Our experts can help you design an outstanding product, and they can provide you with a time estimate for your order’s production. When you choose A-Pac for your manufacturing needs, you can be confident that you’ll have the best bags for your business when you need them.
Request a quote, and place your custom order today.
