If you are sourcing custom packaging from China for the first time, here are the numbers to plan around: a custom packaging MOQ typically starts at a few thousand pieces per design, production lead time runs about 15–30 days after artwork approval, and unit cost is driven mainly by film structure, bag size, thickness, and the number of print colors.

Why MOQs Exist at All

Custom bags are printed from engraved gravure cylinders made specifically for your artwork. Setting up cylinders and calibrating the line costs the same whether you run 3,000 bags or 30,000 — so factories set a minimum order to keep unit prices sensible. At New Pack Lab, MOQs stay flexible for growing brands: simple one-or-two-color designs can often run lower than complex full-color jobs.

What Drives the Lead Time

Artwork confirmation: the clock starts after you approve the dieline and digital proof.
Plate making: 3–7 days for new print cylinders (repeat orders skip this).
Production and QC: printing, laminating, bag making, and inspection under ISO 9001 control.
Shipping: sea freight adds 25–40 days to most markets; air freight cuts it to about a week for urgent launches.

What Actually Drives the Cost

Four factors set most of the price: the film structure (foil laminate costs more than single-layer PE), bag dimensions and thickness, print colors and coverage, and extras such as slider zippers, valves, spot-matte finishes, or tamper-evident seals. Quantity matters too — doubling the order volume often cuts unit price noticeably because setup costs spread across more bags.

How to Lower Per-Unit Price Without Cutting Quality

Consolidate sizes: two SKUs sharing one bag size share one set of plates.
Reduce print colors or use a repeating single-color design.
Order two production runs’ worth at once if storage allows.
Ask the factory to suggest an equivalent film — sometimes a lighter structure protects just as well.

What to Send for a Fast, Accurate Quote

Include your bag type (see our product range for reference), dimensions or a sample photo, material preference, print colors, order quantity, and destination country. With these six details, our custom packaging team in Dongguan can usually return a factory-direct quote within one working day — request a quote here.