Frequently Asked Questions
Wicketed Bags
What Is a Wicketed Bag?
Wicketed bags are low-density poly bags with a header and are mounted on a wicket (two-pronged post) and are designed to allow for faster production.
What Are the Option Available When Making a Custom Bag?
Wicketed bags have many customization options. Custom print, vent holes, perforations, and various colors of the poly film are available.
What Are the Custom Printed Bag Artwork Requirements?
Need camera-ready artwork provided either Illustrator or Vector File Format / we get art proof for approval & send it to a customer, they review & make changes/corrections we send it back to the plate maker & the respond with a revised art proof for approval, this goes on until art is approved.
Once art is approved (signed art proof on file) plates are ordered. The usual lead time to receive plates is 3-5 business days
How to Choose the Best Bag for Your Specific Needs?
The best bag for your specific needs will vary depending upon the ultimate use of the bag and your packaging process. Contact us for details.
What Makes Bagmasters Poly Bags for the Bakery Goods Different Than Other Poly Bags?
All poly bakery bags are made from FDA approved materials and are typically wicketed bags. Bagmasters is AIB Certified and offers an additional level of food safety and food defense systems that make the bag safe for packaging food items. We make our bags in the USA.
Custom Printed Trade Show Bags
What Sizes Are Available for Custom Trade Show Bags?
We make custom trade show bags to your dimensions rather than a fixed catalog of sizes. Tell us what your attendees need to carry, whether it's a few flyers and a product sample or a full day of conference swag in a tote-style bag, and we'll recommend a size that fills the practical need without wasting material. From compact handout bags to large carriers, we print on durable, water-resistant film. Choose the format that suits your booth and budget, and we'll build to those specs.
How Far in Advance Should I Order My Trade Show Bags?
Order roughly 6–8 weeks before your event. That window covers artwork approval, plate-making, production time, and shipping, with room to spare. Plate production runs about 3–5 business days after you approve the proof, and trade shows run on tight deadlines, so the earlier you start, the safer your delivery date. If your convention is closer than that, contact us; we can often work with a shorter timeline, and we ship with tracking so your tradeshow bags arrive before booth setup, not after.
Can I Print My Logo on Both Sides of the Bag?
Yes. We offer up to 8-color printing on both sides of the bag, enough range to reproduce a detailed logo, bold brand colors, a tagline, and a QR code that sends attendees to your site after the show. Before we print, you'll get an artwork proof to check color match, scale, and placement, so nothing goes to production until you sign off. A clear call to action on the bag is what turns a giveaway into real post-event engagement with new customers.
Can I Order Custom Trade Show Bags in Small Quantities?
Custom-printed poly bags require a minimum order of film, so very small runs aren't the best fit; these bags are built for volume giveaways, where the per-bag cost drops as the quantity climbs. If you're a smaller company or first-time exhibitor, contact our team with your numbers, and we'll send options that match your order size or point you to a bag that works for a lighter run. We'll help you strike the right balance between quantity and budget.
What Are Trade Show Bags Made From?
Our trade show bags are printed on low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a durable, water-resistant plastic that withstands repeated reuse, which is exactly what keeps your brand in circulation after the event. The film meets FDA standards, so it's safe around product samples and giveaways. Because it's reusable and recyclable, a printed poly bag doubles as a greener promotional item that attendees actually hang onto.
What Artwork Format Do You Need for Printing?
Send your artwork as an Adobe Illustrator or vector file, the format that prints your logo cleanly at any size on the bag. If you only have a raster image, our team can advise on what's usable, but vector art gives the sharpest result across all 8 print colors. Once you approve the proof, plate production takes about 3–5 business days before we move to the press. Not sure what you've got? Send it over, and we'll tell you what we can work with.
Pre-Opened Bags
What Is a Pre-Opened Bag on a Roll?
A pre-opened bag on a roll is a continuous series of poly bags connected by perforations and wound onto a roll or fan-folded. Each bag comes with one side already open, ready for product insertion. The design is built for manual or automatic bagging machines - you load the roll, fill each bag, tear it off at the perforation, and the next bag is immediately ready. This eliminates the time spent opening individual bags during packaging.
What Size and Thickness Options Are Available for Pre-Opened Bags?
Bagmasters manufactures pre-opened bags on a roll in sizes ranging from 3" x 5" up to 25" x 40", with thickness options from 1 mil to 4 mil. Every order is custom - you specify the exact dimensions and gauge based on your product and equipment requirements. Vent holes, hang holes, and perforations can be added to any configuration.
What Is the Difference Between Pre-Opened Bags on a Roll and Wicketed Bags?
Pre-opened bags on a roll are perforated and connected in sequence, built for automatic or semi-automatic bagging machines where speed and continuous feeding matter. Wicketed bags are individual bags mounted on a metal two-pronged post, torn away one at a time during manual or drop-sealer packaging. Choose bags on a roll when your packaging line runs on an autobagger. Choose wicketed bags when operators fill bags by hand or use a bag opener at lower speeds.
Can Pre-Opened Bags on a Roll Be Fan-Folded Instead of Rolled?
Yes, Bagmasters can manufacture pre-opened bags in either roll format or fan-folded configuration. Fan-folded bags stack flat in a box rather than winding on a core, which works better for certain bagging machines and storage setups. Both formats maintain the same pre-opened, perforated design for quick loading and continuous packaging.
Are Pre-Opened Bags on a Roll FDA Approved for Food Packaging?
Yes, Bagmasters manufactures all pre-opened bags from FDA approved materials as standard. The facility is AIB Certified and follows HACCP food safety protocols, making these bags suitable for food, bakery, and perishable goods packaging on automated lines. If your application requires non-FDA materials for industrial use, that option is available by request.
Can Pre-Opened Bags on a Roll Be Custom Printed?
Yes, Bagmasters prints custom artwork in up to 8 colors on pre-opened bags on a roll. Custom printing turns a functional packaging bag into a branded product display - useful for retail-ready packaging, product identification on production lines, and regulatory labeling. You submit artwork in Illustrator or vector format, receive a proof for approval, and plates are produced within 3–5 business days after sign-off.
Reclosable Packaging Bags
What Is a Reclosable Poly Bag?
A reclosable poly bag is a plastic bag with a built-in zipper closure that opens and reseals many times over. Made from polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) film, it protects the contents from air, moisture, dust, and odors while letting you access them again and again without a separate container. It's a versatile, reusable flexible package or pouch for food packaging, retail, and industrial items alike, including everyday storage bags. Flexible bags also take up less room than rigid containers in storage.
What Thickness Options Are Available for Reclosable Bags?
We stock reclosable bags in 2 mil and 4 mil, and make custom gauges beyond that for heavier-duty packing. Thinner 2-mil film is ideal for lightweight items like herbs, samples, and documents, providing clear, economical protection. Thicker 4-mil film adds puncture resistance for hardware, chemicals, and frozen food that must survive extreme temperatures and shipping prep. Tell us the product weight, and we'll determine the wall thickness, width, and size to match.
What Is the Difference Between Reclosable Bags and Standard Ziplock Bags?
The difference is build quality and customization. A standard Ziplock from the store is thin, uniform, and unbranded. Our reclosable bags come in the thickness, size, and zipper style your product needs, printed with your brand in up to 8 colors so no extra label is required. You also choose the closure: a flange zipper is most common and leaves a residual barrier after users open the bag; heavy-duty flanged zippers are freezer-safe and reusable, powder zippers resist clogging from fine powders like flour, pull-tab zippers reduce the effort needed to open and reseal the bag while making loading faster, and child-resistant zippers meet safety requirements for regulated products.
Can Reclosable Bags Be Made Tamper-Resistant?
Yes. We add tamper-resistant and tamper-evident features so a bag shows if it's been opened before it reaches the customer, important for medications, supplements, and high-value goods. Options include perforated tear-strips, tamper-evident seals above the zipper, and secure heat-seal closures. Silicone bags can last much longer than disposable plastic bags, but poly options are often preferred for custom print and commercial packaging. Pair them with child-resistant zippers when you're packaging pharmaceuticals or other controlled products.
Are Reclosable Poly Bags Food Safe?
Yes. Our food-grade reclosable bags are made from FDA-approved virgin resin for direct food contact, and we manufacture in accordance with AIB and HACCP food-safety protocols. That makes them safe for candy, coffee, tea, nuts, cookies, and other food items, helping products maintain freshness by blocking the oxygen and moisture that cause spoilage. Some processors also print a product description and best-by date near the opening area of the pouch. Many bags can be reused if they've only held low-risk food.
What Industries Use Custom Reclosable Poly Bags?
Reclosable poly bags serve food and beverage, retail, e-commerce, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, electronics, agriculture, and industrial businesses. Food brands use them for candy, coffee, and snacks; retailers for gifts, accessories, and displayed products; medical and supplement companies for compliant, tamper-resistant packaging; and manufacturers for hardware, seeds, and small parts. Brand owners across these markets rely on custom printed bags to protect the product, cut labeling costs, and stand out on the shelf while adding great value for their customers.
Orders & Manufacturing
Why Do Plastic Bags Have Little Holes in Them?
Vent holes are only added to bags that need to ventilation. This could be to prevent trapped air or to allow for air to reach the product.
What Types of Bags Do You Manufacture?
We manufacture/convert low-density poly bags in a variety of options. We offer pre-opened bags on a roll, wicketed bags, lay flat poly bags, reclosable zipper bags, bottom and side gusset bags, custom printed bags, and plastic sheeting. The bags are made from FDA approved materials (unless otherwise requested) and can be used for a variety of applications.
What Is the Minimum Order Quantity of a Product?
The minimum order is based upon weight. Since all orders are customized to your specifications, we bring in film specifically for your order. The minimum is 500 pounds of film.
Do You Manufacture Bags with Custom Prints?
Yes, We specialize in custom printed bags
Do You Prepare the Art Work I Want to Print on My Bags?
You would supply us with artwork and we send your artwork to our plate maker to create a final proof for your approval
Do I Get a Proof to Approve?
Yes. We will not print bags until we have your approval on the artwork
I’ve Changed My Mind, How Can I Return My Order?
As each order is customized we are unable to accept returns because they changed their minds I think we need to say something about how we guarantee our product.
How Can I Purchase a Bag If I’m Struggling to Process an Order on Your Website?
You are unable to place an order on our website since all orders are custom. Once you have ordered a bag, you can reorder simply by sending us an email or faxed a purchase order
What If I Think There Is Something Wrong with the Bags?
Contact us immediately if you notice something wrong with the bag.
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