Laminated Bags — Design Guide
From choosing a shape to approving your final proof — here’s every step in designing a laminated tote that’s completely yours.
Our custom laminated bags are built for brands that can’t be reduced to a one-color imprint. With full-color CMYK printing, edge-to-edge bleeds, and your choice of gloss or matte finish, every panel of the bag becomes a canvas. Here’s exactly how the process works — from the first decision to the finished product in your hands.
Choose Your Shape & Dimensions
Start by deciding what your bag needs to do. We offer 12 stock shapes — grocery totes, brief shoppers, gift bags, farmers market styles, and more — or you can design a fully custom silhouette from scratch through our Build Your Own program. Width, height, and gusset depth are all specifiable.
Stock Shapes Available
12 Profiles, Infinite Sizing
Material Options
Base Fabric Choices
Select Your Base Material
The structural foundation of your bag is a woven or non-woven polypropylene fabric. This base determines weight, rigidity, and how well the bag holds its shape when loaded. Recycled material options — including rPET made from reclaimed plastic — are available for sustainability-focused programs.
Prepare Your Design Files
Unlike screen-printed bags that limit you to 1–4 spot colors, laminated bags accept full-color CMYK printing with 100% coverage. Your artwork wraps edge to edge across every panel — front, back, sides, and gusset — with no imprint area restriction.
Print Capability
Full CMYK, Edge-to-Edge
Apply the Laminate Layer
After printing, a clear laminate film is heat-bonded to the surface. This layer is what gives the bag its distinctive look and feel — protecting the ink, adding structural rigidity, and delivering either a gloss or matte surface finish depending on your selection.
Choose Gloss or Matte
This is the decision most clients agonize over — and both options are excellent. Gloss maximizes color vibrancy and shelf impact. Matte communicates premium quality and has a tactile feel customers notice immediately. Your brand positioning and artwork style should guide the choice.
Finish Options
Two Looks, One Process
Order Details
What to Expect
Approve Your Proof & Place Your Order
Once artwork is approved, production begins. Lead times vary by style and quantity — our team will give you a firm ship date at the time of order. We’ve managed large-scale programs for Fortune 500 clients and understand what it means to hit a deadline.
Client Gallery
Real laminated bags from real brands
Edge-to-edge CMYK print on laminated woven PP — full bleed front and back panels.
Standard grocery silhouette with custom brand graphics — gloss finish shown.
Brief shopper shape — wide panels ideal for bold brand statements and photographic art.
Bold graphic design printed edge-to-edge — gloss lamination makes colors pop under any lighting.
Full panel artwork with photographic detail — only achievable with laminated woven PP and CMYK.
MEGA Shopper extra-large tote — full-color print on an oversized laminated PP bag built for heavy loads.
Gloss vs. Matte
A closer look at your two finish options
Gloss Lamination
High-Sheen Surface
Gloss delivers maximum color saturation and a reflective sheen that commands attention on retail shelves and at trade shows. Colors appear vivid and bold, and the surface has a smooth, hard feel. Ideal for brands with colorful artwork that benefits from visual punch.
Best for: grocery retail, food & beverage, vibrant brand palettes, trade show giveaways
Matte Lamination
Soft, Velvety Surface
Matte creates a tactile, non-reflective surface that communicates premium quality and sophistication. Colors appear slightly softer, with less glare under retail lighting. The texture is one customers notice the moment they pick up the bag.
Best for: luxury retail, wellness & beauty, fashion, organic and natural products
Ready to Start Your Project?
Request a free quote on any laminated style, or call to discuss a custom shape. A free digital proof is included with every order.