1Which printing method is best for my logo on a bag?
The best printing method for a logo on a bag depends on your colours and your quantity. For a logo in one or a few solid colours, silkscreen is the lowest-cost choice. For full-colour or gradient artwork on a smaller run, DTF heat transfer gives the most vivid result. For gradient artwork that covers a large area of the bag, sublimation costs less than DTF. For 5,000 pieces and above, laminated printing gives the best colour and finish.
| Method | Colours | Best for | Cost | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silkscreen | Spot colours, 1 to multi-colour | Solid-colour logos | The lowest of the four | 1 to 2 weeks, printed locally |
| DTF heat transfer | Full colour, gradients | Small runs with vivid, detailed logos | The highest of the four | 1 to 2 weeks, printed locally |
| Sublimation | Full colour, gradients | Large print areas | Less than DTF | 1 to 2 weeks, printed locally |
| Laminated print | Full colour, highest quality | 5,000 pcs and above | Lowest unit price at volume | 45 to 60 days, made in China |
2Can gradients and full-colour logos be printed on a bag?
Yes, gradients and full-colour logos can be printed on a bag. Many buyers are told otherwise, and then flatten a perfectly good logo into flat colours for no reason. DTF heat transfer and sublimation both print full colour and gradients locally, and laminated print does it at the highest quality for larger orders.
The one method that cannot print a gradient is silkscreen, because it prints spot colours: one, two, three or more, each a solid ink. If your logo is already in solid colours, silkscreen is usually the better value.
3When is silkscreen the right choice?
Silkscreen is the right choice when your logo uses one or a few solid colours. Silkscreen is the lowest-cost method of the four, so for a solid-colour logo it is usually the best value.
Silkscreen prints spot colours, from a single colour up to multi-colour, but each colour stays solid. A logo with a gradient or a photo cannot be printed this way without changing the design. Local silkscreen printing takes 1 to 2 weeks.
4What is the difference between DTF heat transfer and sublimation?
DTF heat transfer and sublimation both print full colour and gradients, and the difference is cost and print area. DTF is the most expensive of the four methods, and it suits small runs where a detailed or vivid logo has to look sharp.
Sublimation costs less than DTF, and it is the better option when a gradient design covers a large area of the bag. Both are printed locally and take 1 to 2 weeks. If your artwork is full colour, ask for both options and compare them for your actual design and quantity.
5When is laminated printing worth it?
Laminated printing is worth it when you order 5,000 pieces or more and are not in a hurry. Laminated print gives the best colour and finish of all four methods and the lowest unit price at that volume.
The catch is the minimum and the wait. Laminated bags are always custom made, start at 5,000 pieces and are produced only in China, so allow 45 to 60 days. Below 5,000 pieces, or when the date is close, a locally printed bag is the better route.
6Which printing methods work on which bags?
At AALY, silkscreen, DTF heat transfer and sublimation are offered on the non woven, PP woven and canvas bags. Laminated printing is offered on the non woven laminated bag and the cooler bag.
If you have already chosen the bag, the printing choice narrows quickly. If you have not, our guide on woven and non woven bags helps you pick the bag first.
7Does the printing method change the minimum order?
Yes, the printing method can change the minimum order. Silkscreen, DTF heat transfer and sublimation are printed locally on ready-stock bags, so they start from the bag's own minimum: 100 pieces for non woven, PP woven and canvas bags.
Laminated printing is different. Because a laminated bag is always custom made in China, it starts at 5,000 pieces whatever the design. If your quantity sits between those two, a local method is the realistic choice, and DTF heat transfer exists for exactly the small run with detailed artwork.
8Should I print locally or in China?
Print locally when you are ordering below 5,000 pieces or need the bags soon, and consider China once you are ordering 5,000 pieces or more and are not in a hurry. Local production runs 5 to 20 days, while China runs 45 to 60 days.
China production costs less per bag at volume, and it is the only route to laminated print. AALY works with the same vetted factories in Malaysia and China since 2018, and routes each order to the factory that suits it. You give us the date, and we tell you which route can meet it.
9What artwork file do I need to send?
Send your logo as an Adobe Illustrator file or any vector file, in high resolution. A vector file keeps the edges of your logo sharp at any print size.
AALY handles colour changes, resizing and adding simple text for you. AALY does not design artwork from scratch, so for a new logo or a full design you will get a better result from your own in-house or regular designer.
10How long does printing add to my order?
Local printing with silkscreen, DTF or sublimation takes 1 to 2 weeks. Laminated printing in China takes 45 to 60 days. Plan the date backwards from when you need the bags in hand.
If you want to see your own bag before production, a mock-up sample takes 5 days. AALY usually advises against it, because a physical sample costs money and time. Instead AALY sends a similar sample free of charge so you can feel the fabric, and your design is confirmed against your artwork. Courier delivery after production usually arrives the next day.
11Should I decide the printing method before finishing my artwork?
Yes, decide the printing method before you finish the artwork, not after. A design built for silkscreen and a design built for sublimation are not the same file, and redrawing a logo late costs time.
If you are unsure, send AALY your logo, quantity, bag size and required date on WhatsApp. We will tell you which method suits it and quote that. AALY is based in Melaka and delivers across Malaysia and to Singapore, with West Malaysia delivery free.