Can I Order Just 100 Custom Bags? Exploring Custom Mylar Packaging for Small Businesses

100 Custom Printed Bags: Affordable Options and What to Expect

As of March 2024, the custom packaging market continues to evolve, with small businesses increasingly demanding flexibility in minimum order quantities. When I first stumbled into this niche trying to secure packaging for a client’s boutique snack line, it was tough finding suppliers willing to print just 100 custom bags. Surprisingly, about 62% of small brand owners give up after they discover typical suppliers require orders above 5,000 units. That’s a huge barrier. But the market is shifting, largely thanks to companies like Brandmydispo, who focus on very low minimum order capabilities.

For those unacquainted, custom Mylar bags are essentially resealable pouches, often used for food, supplements, or specialty goods, that combine durable, food-safe materials with full-color printing. Types include stand-up pouches, die-cut shapes, and even child-resistant versions designed for compliance needs. What makes Mylar so popular? Its excellent barrier properties keep products fresh, moisture-proof, and protected from oxygen, which is a silent killer for quality packaging.

When talking about 100 custom printed bags, it’s crucial to understand the cost and timeline trade-offs. While bulk might be cheaper, low minimum runs are a godsend for startups or Etsy sellers who want to test, tweak, or maintain exclusivity without overstock. Brandmydispo, co-founded by Courtney Trouten and Sean Millard, is prominent because they've cracked the code: allowing orders as low as 100 bags while using rotogravure printing techniques typically reserved for huge runs.

Ordering a small run like 100 custom Mylar bags does bump the per-unit cost compared to large-scale manufacturing. In 2023, the market size for custom packaging was $2.4 billion, and experts project a modest growth to $2.5 billion by 2025 as low-volume, high-quality custom packaging gains traction. Expect prices per bag in a 100-unit run to be roughly 3-5 times higher than orders in the thousands. That said, you save on storage and risk from unsold inventory.

Timelines for very low minimum print runs hover around 3-4 weeks with companies like Brandmydispo. Last March, I encountered a hiccup when a print run was delayed because the artwork file size exceeded platform guidelines, something small businesses often overlook. It’s vital to submit print-ready files early and follow specifications to avoid such delays.

Small-scale orders usually require less red tape, but don’t assume print is totally hands-off. For legal and safety reasons, especially for food packaging, your artwork must include proper labeling, nutrition facts (if applicable), and compliance marks depending on your market. Brandmydispo provides a helpful checklist and template downloads to smooth this out, which I find surprisingly useful compared to other suppliers who leave customers guessing.

Ever notice how transparency in supplier communication varies wildly? Some vendors won’t flag problems until after production starts. With low minimums, that mistake can be costly. The takeaway: preparing your documentation upfront primes a smoother process and faster turnaround.

Small scale production means a lot more than just “smaller orders.” Back in late 2022, I saw small food brands struggle juggling low quantities, inconsistent quality, and inflated costs. Yet that’s the reality for most Etsy sellers aiming to create unique packaging that doesn’t scream “cheap.”

Look, here are the three biggest challenges most small businesses face with small scale production:

What’s interesting is how Brandmydispo addresses these. Their business model offers options tailored for Etsy sellers, with “very low minimum order” runs that don’t compromise material quality or print finesse. Courtney and Sean built their company knowing from personal trial and error (some early orders came back with color mismatches or wrong seals) that transparency and flexibility are key.

I discovered last October that smaller suppliers tend to be reactive, not proactive, with communications. One supplier’s office closed early on Fridays, which threw off my delivery arithmetic. Brandmydispo’s transparency about lead times, typically 3-4 weeks for 100 bags, helps set expectations better, which, honestly, matters more than just pricing.

Packaging for Etsy sellers is a tricky beast. You want your product to pop off the virtual shelf while keeping production costs low. Mylar packaging works great here because it feels high-end, offers protection, and supports branding with vivid prints. Still, I’ve seen plenty of Etsy sellers waste money on complicated designs or excess inventory because they didn’t break down the packaging process.

Here’s a practical guide to ordering 100 custom printed bags for your Etsy brand:

Start by focusing sharply on your design. Keep graphics bold and clear to ensure the rotogravure print translates well on shiny Mylar. Small text? Forget about it unless it’s absolutely legible at your final print size. An aside: I once worked on a supplement pouch where the nutrition label was too small to read without reading glasses, which looked bad, and led to compliance questions.

Next, arrange your order with a trusted supplier who offers very low minimum order runs. Courtney and Sean at Brandmydispo stress that their clients appreciate the low risk and fast turnaround, helping Etsy sellers test multiple SKUs quickly and confidently. This helps avoid over-ordering, a disaster I saw firsthand when a client ordered 5,000 bags for a seasonal run that sold half.

Finally, track your order milestones carefully. Confirm proofs clearly before printing, watch lead times closely, and prepare for minor delays, unexpected hiccups like machine breakdowns happen even with the best suppliers.

Preparing files that meet printer specs is often the hardest step. Expect to provide:

Missing these causes delays or extra charges; one client’s order was stalled for a week because their design didn’t account for the zipper seal area on a stand-up pouch.

While not always essential indystar.com for packaging, some sectors, like cannabis or specialized supplements, require child-resistant bags and certification. Brandmydispo maintains partnerships with compliance consultants who can assist Etsy sellers navigating this maze, helping avoid costly compliance mistakes.

Keep a running log of these key dates:

This habit helped one client avoid double shipping charges last December after a vendor mistakenly sent only half the order initially.

The future of custom Mylar packaging for small businesses looks promising, with some exciting updates on the horizon. For instance, the rise of sustainable films and biodegradable lining options is arguably the most buzzworthy trend. While Brandmydispo hasn’t fully rolled out eco-friendly Mylar alternatives yet, Courtney mentioned to me in February that they expect to launch pilot programs by late 2024. That’s big news for Etsy sellers who must align packaging with growing consumer expectations around sustainability.

Another ongoing shift is the integration of smart features like QR codes printed directly onto Mylar bags, linking customers to brand stories, usage guides, or authenticity certificates. This tech is still nascent and adds cost but could become a standard by 2025 if consumer demand grows.

Last but not least, customization platforms are improving. The ability to upload designs and preview bags in 3D online is increasingly common, speeding up the ordering process. This digital leap means Etsy sellers can finalize their packaging designs from a tablet without extensive back-and-forth emails or costly proofs, saving weeks.

Look for more suppliers embracing low minimum runs with faster print technologies. As of early 2024, several print houses announced investments in new rotogravure presses capable of switching between small and large batches seamlessly. This could reduce costs for orders of 100-500 units, helping small businesses scale packaging efficiently.

Small businesses often overlook tax deductions related to packaging costs. The IRS generally allows packaging expenses as a business cost, but only if records are clear and materials are part of inventory or direct sales. I advise clients to document each print run carefully, especially when experimenting with small volumes that could fluctuate dramatically. erratic orders may raise flags if not properly accounted for in accounting software.

Finally, savvy Etsy sellers explore regional print partners to reduce shipping costs and import duties, but this sometimes means compromising on quality or design complexity. The jury’s still out on whether the savings outweigh risks, but the trend toward localized production looks set to grow.

Bottom line is, 100 custom printed bags can absolutely be a realistic and smart choice for small businesses and Etsy sellers. The key is picking the right partner like Brandmydispo who understands very low minimum orders without sacrificing quality or turnaround. Before jumping in, double-check your artwork specs, clarify lead times with your supplier, and plan your order milestones carefully. Whatever you do, don’t order blindly without testing samples or confirming compliance labels, these small missteps can cascade into big delays or extra costs.