Ordering custom PP woven shopping bags¹ requires attention to detail. Mistakes in design, size, or material can result in poor functionality, added costs, or lost branding opportunities. This guide highlights the most common errors and how to avoid them.

12 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering PP Woven Shopping Bags

Avoiding key mistakes when ordering PP woven bags helps ensure durability, cost-efficiency², and brand effectiveness.

Understanding these mistakes can help you place smarter, more reliable orders for your packaging needs. For more guidance or to start customizing, visit our PP woven shopping bag solutions.

Choosing the Wrong Size

Incorrect sizing leads to wasted materials, higher logistics costs, and an unprofessional look. A poorly sized bag may also cause product damage due to tightness or shifting during transport.

How to Size Correctly

Measure your product's length, width, and height. Then add about 10% for ease of packing and movement inside the bag. Avoid guessing or copying competitors’ sizes blindly.

Common Size Pitfalls

Mistake	Impact
Too small	Difficult to pack, damages product
Too large	Wasted space and material
Wrong proportions	Poor visual appeal, hard to stack

Right sizing reflects professionalism and supports functional storage and branding.

Ignoring Material Thickness

Using materials that are too thick or too thin causes performance and cost issues. Over-specifying thickness adds unnecessary weight and expense. Under-specifying leads to weak, tear-prone bags.

Match Thickness to Use

Use lighter materials (70–80 GSM) for lightweight items and heavier ones (100–120 GSM) for bulk or sharp-edged goods. Laminated versions provide added strength without extra fabric weight.

Thickness Guide by Usage

Bag Purpose	Suggested GSM	Lamination Recommended
Retail/light items	70–80	Optional
Heavy groceries	90–100	Yes
Industrial use	110–120	Yes

Balanced thickness saves costs and ensures protection.

Neglecting Quality of Raw Materials

Low-quality polypropylene or filler materials weaken bag integrity. Bags may stretch unevenly, tear easily, or degrade faster. This increases return rates and damages brand trust.

Check Material Purity

Ask suppliers if they use virgin polypropylene or recycled blends. High-quality PP ensures better weave strength, color consistency, and resistance to weather or UV damage.

Material Quality Indicators

Material Type	Pros	Cons
Virgin Polypropylene	Strong, durable, uniform	Slightly higher cost
Mixed with fillers	Cheap, inconsistent	Prone to tears, fading

Always request a material sample or QC documentation before placing bulk orders.

Overcomplicating the Design and Printing

Complicated graphics with many colors raise costs and can cause printing errors. Busy designs also distract from your brand message, especially on small bags.

Keep It Simple

Use bold logos, 1–3 brand colors, and clear fonts. Simple layouts print more accurately, remain legible from a distance, and reduce costs with fewer color plates.

Design Efficiency Tips

Factor	Recommendation
Color count	1–3 for best balance
Font size	Large and bold for readability
Background color	Solid, light or white preferred

Effective branding doesn’t need to be complicated.

Not Planning for Branding Opportunities

Leaving bags blank or generic misses a valuable chance to promote your business. Custom-printed bags serve as mobile ads and increase brand recall.

Use Every Inch

Print on both sides if budget allows. Include logo, slogan, and website. For retail or gift bags, QR codes can link to promotions or product pages.

Branding Area Optimization

Area	What to Include
Front panel	Main logo + slogan
Back panel	Contact info or website
Side gussets	Store hours or QR code

Make every bag a brand ambassador.

Failing to Compare Suppliers and Prices

Relying on one supplier without comparison often leads to higher prices or inconsistent service. Some suppliers also cut corners on quality or QC.

Shop and Verify

Collect quotes from 3–5 trusted factories. Ask for samples, certifications, and client references. Don’t only focus on price—evaluate communication, lead time, and after-sales support.

Supplier Comparison Checklist

Factor	Supplier A	Supplier B	Supplier C
Price per unit	$	$	$
Lead time	X days	X days	X days
QC Process	Yes/No	Yes/No	Yes/No
Customization	Full/Limited	Full/Limited	Full/Limited

Good supplier selection saves time and reduces risk.

Ignoring Seal and Stitch Quality

Weak stitches or poor sealing lead to bag failure, especially under heavy loads. Even good fabric can’t compensate for bad seams.

Examine the Finish

Check if the side and bottom seams are double-stitched or heat-sealed. Reinforced handles are also essential for shopping or carry-heavy items.

Seal Type Comparison

Sealing Method	Best For	Strength Level
Heat seal	Light loads	Medium
Double stitching	Heavy-duty shopping bags	High
Ultrasonic weld	Smooth edges, small bags	Medium-High

Insist on strong finishing for critical-use bags.

Ordering Too Small Quantities

Small orders miss out on bulk discounts³ and cost more per unit. Frequent reordering also wastes time and risks supply delays.

Buy in Bulk When Possible

If you don’t have space to store large quantities, ask about scheduled releases or monthly delivery contracts. This helps lock in lower pricing and ensure availability.

Quantity vs. Cost

Order Size	Approximate Unit Cost	Lead Time
1,000 pcs	High	Fast
5,000 pcs	Medium	Standard
20,000 pcs	Lowest	Negotiable

Plan ahead to maximize cost efficiency.

Not Considering Environmental and Regulatory Compliance

Non-compliant bags can cause customs delays or fail safety checks for food or medical use. Missing certifications also affects eco-conscious buyers.

Check for Certifications

Ask suppliers for ISO, FDA, or REACH compliance based on your market. Eco bags should be recyclable or made from approved materials.

Compliance Table

Requirement Type	Applies To	What to Ask For
Food-grade use	Grocery, snacks, animal feed	FDA certificate, EU standard
Export packaging	U.S., Europe, Japan	REACH, RoHS, ISO
Eco-friendly	Retail, promotions	Recyclable PP, GRS standard

Being compliant protects your brand reputation and business operations.

Overlooking UV and Moisture Resistance

Bags stored outdoors or in humid settings degrade quickly without protection. Sunlight fades print and weakens fabric. Moisture ruins bag integrity.

Add Protection Features

Choose UV-treated and laminated versions⁴ for outdoor or long-haul uses. Discuss environmental conditions with your supplier to tailor bag specs.

Weatherproofing Options

Feature	Use Case	Recommended Add-on
UV Resistance	Outdoor display, transport	Anti-UV additive, thicker PP
Moisture Resistance	Wet or cold storage areas	PE lamination

This extends shelf life and protects product quality.

Ignoring Bag Stability Features

Lack of stability makes bags difficult to stack or handle. Poor structure leads to sagging, which looks unprofessional and limits transport efficiency.

Improve Structure

Reinforced bottoms, box-shaped gussets, or internal baffles help bags hold their shape. This is especially useful for supermarkets and export packaging.

Stability Options Table

Stability Feature	Benefit
Box bottom	Prevents sagging
Inner support layer	Adds firmness to large bags
Reinforced seams	Allows vertical stacking

Structured bags improve handling and visual appeal.

Neglecting Supplier Quality Control Processes

Suppliers with poor QC produce inconsistent bags. This results in size deviations, off-color prints, or faulty seams. These flaws affect brand perception.

Inspect Their Process

Ask for photos of the QC line, their inspection reports, and details about raw material screening, printing calibration, and final packaging checks.

Key QC Steps

Step	Purpose
Incoming Material QC	Prevent substandard materials
Print Alignment Check	Ensure clear logo display
Final Product Check	Confirm stitch and size specs

Partner with suppliers who prioritize quality assurance.

Conclusion

Avoiding these 12 common mistakes can greatly improve your success when ordering custom PP woven shopping bags¹. From choosing the right size and thickness to prioritizing print clarity and supplier reliability, each detail matters. At JiaRong Packing, we’ve worked with clients worldwide to fine-tune their orders and deliver high-performance, cost-effective bags.

Have questions or unique requirements? Explore our product options or leave a comment below—we’d love to help you make smarter packaging choices.