BOPP Laminated Bags Cost Factors for Procurement Teams

In the context of packaging procurement, packaging cost doesn’t always mean just the bag prices. Bag price quotes from different suppliers may vary for the same BOPP laminated bags due to the different specifications of the fabric used in the making, the lamination process involved, intricacies of the print, volume of order made for that bag, and bag construction features. This means that a performance comparison of bag suppliers based on bag cost only would not suffice.

If your supplier gives you a cheaper bag that rips often, doesn’t let you fill your packaging on time, gives uneven print quality, or leads you to change specifications many times, you actually pay even more than with a higher-cost bag. That’s why it’s important to identify all the cost elements of BOPP laminated bags before you discount the quotes.

What Determines the Cost of BOPP Laminated Bags?

BOPP laminated packaging bags are made of a woven polypropylene base coupled with BOPP laminating films printed with specialized graphics. The woven base gives the bags strength, whereas the printed laminated surface provides extra protection for the product while maximizing control over graphics and presentation on the shelf.

Comsyn, for instance, produces BOPP packaging bags and PP woven packaging and offers clients options regarding size, printing, lamination, colour, and finishing.

Thus, the cost of bags depends on a range of factors not restricted to their dimensions.

• Fabric weight and strength

One of the basic elements influencing the overall cost is the amount of polypropylene used in woven constructions.

Products that are heavy or exposed to challenging handling conditions need stronger fabrics compared to light products travelling under relatively stable conditions. Higher fabric weight means higher consumption, which impacts the price of BOPP bags.

However, decreasing fabric specifications just to reduce cost might be risky. When bags are dragged, dropped, piled, or transported over long distances, the lack of fabric durability may lead to:

• problems with seams,
• holes,
• product loss,
• bag deformity,
• complaints from customers, and
• lost packages.

2. Bag Size and Product Fill Weight

The size of the bag has a direct effect on the amount of material used. Clearly, a smaller retail bag requires less woven fabric and BOPP film compared to a 25-kilogram or 50-kilogram industrial bag.

Factors like gussets, additional width, and big printing surfaces can increase the amount of material used by even more than what was calculated. Nevertheless, the procurement departments should not just use the same bag dimensions year after year. Having the bag dimensions wrongly calculated can cause a company to end up purchasing extra packing materials. Before asking for bulk prices for BOPP bags, it is necessary to go through the following processes.

• focus on the required filling weight
• product bulk density
• headspace needed
• pallet dimensions
• stacking plan
• filling technology and
• transportation plan

By choosing a suitable bag, a company can positively affect the operations in both packaging and logistics.

3. BOPP Film and Lamination Requirements

The BOPP layer is significant in determining not only the appearance of bags but also their performance. Various film and lamination specifications will determine the amount of material and processes used. Comsyn publication on the product details the options for BOPP laminated packaging, including matte, glossy, and metallic finishes. Historical product specifications mention BOPP film and multicolour printing options. 

For the buyers, this means that the specifications are based on the way the package would finally be used. 

A premium product for customers may require a finished surface, given the fact that packaging is crucial for the shelf presentation.

An industrial commodity sold mainly through distribution systems will not require the same level of finishing.

The procurement opportunity lies in adapting the level of finishing to the business objective instead of using the most expensive construction available.

4. Printing Complexity and Number of Colours

Printing usually represents the main difference between ordinary woven packing and premium BOPP laminated bags. Whereas standard product photography, colours, logos, and designs usually require more intricate printing, advanced photography is used to print on BOPP bags.

Comsyn has high-definition printing capabilities and prints in up to 8 colours. Thus, factors like:

• amount of colours
• artwork difficulty level
• print coverage
• cylinder/plate needed
• number of SKUs
• design changes made for every order
• number of printed bags per design
• affect the costs of printing the BOPP bag

This is particularly important for companies producing several variants of products. For example, consider a company purchasing 500,000 bags per year. 

Purchasing 500,000 bags in one design is completely different from purchasing the same number of bags in 25 designs with 20,000 bags each. Even if yearly volume is the same, economics of production can differ significantly at the same time.

Marketing and purchasing departments can simplify the process of manufacturing by using standardized design elements. Instead of developing a completely new design for each SKU, it is better to have a systematically designed product.

5. Order Quantity and Production Economics

The volume basically plays the greatest role in determining the price of large BOPP bags. Typically, large production runs mean that fixed preparation costs are spread over many objects. They include: 

• pre-printing activities
• preparing the manufacturing equipment
• creating models
• preparing materials
• quality control, and
• packaging process

However, procurement departments should take into account the difference between the volume of products consumed and the amount of goods produced.  For example, an organization ordering a million bags a year with a lot of designs changes significantly throughout the year isn’t going to enjoy the same price as a client requesting the same million identical bags. 

Therefore, while negotiating the prices, talk to your supplier about production processes instead of focusing on the total yearly volume.

6. Bag Construction

Not all BOPP laminated bags have identical distribution. The need for specific features depends on the intended use of the product.

As can be seen in the Commyn BOPP and woven products catalog, the product types available include circular bags, window-gusseted BOPP bags, back-seam bags, and easy-open options, among others, in addition to a broad choice of woven sacks. Each feature has to justify its reason for being. To illustrate this:

• A gusset solves the problem of bag shape.
• A back seam gives a better-looking front.
• An easy-open option gives more convenience to the end user.
• A liner works well with respect to additional containment.

But it is important to keep in mind that combining different features can add complexity and costs to production. That is why the purchasing department needs to differentiate between essential functions and those introduced only to replace the previous specifications.

7. Matte, Glossy or Metallic Finish

Finishing impacts the aesthetics of the packaging but also its price. Comsyn offers matte, gloss, and metallic options as part of its range of BOPP materials. The choice should depend on the company’s positioning on the market.

• Glossy Finish

Ideal for cases where colour accuracy and visual impact are of critical importance.

• Matte Finish

Is often used in cases where a more understated or sophisticated look is required.

• Metallic Finish

Can be used to create superior differentiation where packaging needs to give off a high-end vibe.

For the procurement department, it is important to assess the necessity of improving the visual appeal of the packaging by means of applying an additional layer of treatment.

8. Number of SKUs

The rise of new SKUs silently leads to rising packaging expenses in many companies. Every new bag model can mean:

• independent design
• independent print preparation
• smaller runs
• extra stock to keep
• additional complexity in forecasting
• risk of stocks being expired/untimely

It happens especially when marketing, operations, and procurement departments don’t act as a whole. Upon defining the characteristics of unique BOPP laminated bags, one should think about whether it’s necessary to produce various printings for various SKUs.

In some cases, slight differences can be coped with the help of labels, printing zones,s or one type of printing.

9. Quality Consistency

What appears to be a low purchase price can end up being quite costly due to differences in quality. Potential issues include:

• different dimensions
• poor seam strength
• variation in color
• lamination defects
• imperfect cutting
• printing misalignment, and
• poor construction of bags

These problems will affect the efficiency of filling, the appearance of the product, and the probability of rejection. That is why the evaluation of suppliers should include the analysis of their capabilities.

In contrast to many other producers of BOPP bags, Comsyn produces woven sacks, FIBCs, liners, and a variety of flexible packaging. The extensive knowledge of woven packaging and customization of products will help procurement teams build specifications that are based on actual operation requirements.

10. Packing-Line Compatibility

Packaging does not work in isolation. A poorly functioning package at the filling line can lead to increased labor, downtime, and product losses. The purchasing department must consult the manufacturing department before deciding on the final design of the package. Significant factors are:

• filling speed
• type of bag opening
• uniformity of bag size
• sewing/sealing system
• ability to handle the bag on the conveyor
• automated/manual filling; and
• palletizing system

Even a little decrease in the bag price can bring serious losses in line productivity.

11. Freight and Logistics

Often when acquiring packaging, the buyer gives priority to the cost of the finished product, while neglecting the logistics aspect. The transportation cost can depend on:

• the size of the batch
• the location of the shipment
• the type of pallet
• the loading density
• the way of transportation, and
• the delivery schedule

For buyers from overseas, logistics become a critical factor in their activities. In this case, it is necessary to calculate the price of a finished product based on the “landed cost”.

Look Beyond Unit Price: Calculate Total Packaging Cost

Let’s say that Supplier A is offering a better quote than Supplier B. At first sight, it appears that Supplier A is the winner. However, Supplier A also has the following issues:

• More rejected bags
• More printing variation
• More rejected shipments
• Longer replenishment times
• Higher minimum quantity requirements.

Therefore, the price advantage can swiftly vanish. A better approach to calculate actual costs would be:

Total Packaging Cost = Purchase Cost + Shipping Cost + Cost of inventory + Cost of rejections + Cost of efficiency + Cost of losses.

Not every cost can be calculated accurately. However, even a rough estimate gives procurement teams more information than simply comparing prices per thousand bags.

How Can Procurement Teams Control BOPP Laminated Bags Cost?

Reducing costs shouldn’t equate to compromising on quality. Maximizing efficiency can be achieved through eliminating unnecessary specifications.

• Standardize

A common size, construction, or artwork family is to be used in the production of similar products.

• Consolidate Production Run Volume

Shared forecasts can help achieve optimal production runs for the product.

• Transform Customized Production

Question minor artwork differences between products that require separate production runs.

• Coordinate Print Quality with Market

Save complex prints and special finishes for products that are influenced by the packaging.

• Continually Review Bag Specifications

Products, filling lines, and delivery change over time. Packaging must adapt to these changes.

• Consult with Manufacturer Early

Involving the packaging production company in the design process can help avoid unnecessary costs.

What Procurement Teams Should Include in an RFQ?

An ambiguous RFQ usually leads to bids that are challenging to evaluate. In your inquiry for the pricing of BOPP laminated bags, please give a thorough specification that includes:

• the product to be packaged
• the desired fill weight
• the dimensions of the packaging
• the type of fabric
• the type of BOPP film
• the lamination type
• the printing colors
• the detail of the artwork
• the finishing of the bag
• the kind of liner
• what kind of closure the bag will have
• the amount of SKUs
• the forecasts
• the shipping method
• and where the products will be delivered

When the suppliers give the same specifications, the procurement team will be able to compare the proposals better.

Choosing the Right BOPP Laminated Bags Supplier

The price remains critical. Procurement teams must find ways to evaluate it properly. A good vendor should be able to tell why a certain textile, film, print, or bag construction is relevant and not just refer to what was put in the inquiry.

In the case of companies sourcing BOPP laminated bags for different SKUs or large-volume operations, Comsyn offers BOPP and PP woven packaging with customization that may vary in size, print, lamination, color, and bag formats.

Reduce Packaging Cost Without Compromising What Matters

The correct method to decrease the expense of BOPP laminated bags is not to leave out materials or features.

Instead, the task is to find out which of the specifications are truly functional and which cause unnecessary extra costs without giving corresponding benefit. This implies considering bag strength, dimensions, complexity of printing, volumes produced, units stock-keeping, etc.

If your purchasing team wants to analyze a current BOPP packaging solution or successively create specifications for a new product, let the Comsyn packaging team know and discuss your questions and needs with them.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the factors determining the pricing of BOPP laminated bags?

The price of BOPP laminated bags is determined by the bag size, raw material specification, BOPP film, lamination, printing complexity, construction, finish, and order batch. The number of production stock-keeping units may also affect the price because, if the volume is divided among multiple designs, the price is affected as well.

2. Is it true that bulk ordering BOPP laminated bags reduces the cost price?

Yes, indeed! More bags mean lower per-unit costs because all setup and production costs are distributed among many items. However, the total bag quantity is not the only factor affecting the price because it depends on the quantity per SKU.

3. Why does printing affect the pricing on BOPP bags?

Printing costs depend on the number of colors used, complexity of the artwork, coverage, requirements for setup, and the number of pieces ordered per design. Making changes to the designs and lower production volumes lead to higher costs per unit.

4. Is the pricing of custom BOPP laminated bags higher?

Not necessarily! Custom pricing depends on the level of customization and includes such parameters as size, printing, finish, construction, and special features.

5. What is required of clients when selecting a BOPP laminated woven bags supplier?

Clients must evaluate the material specifications, strength of the bags, print quality, dimension consistency, capability of customization, delivery period, quality control processes, and total cost incurred. But the lowest price does not always mean the lowest ultimate price of packaging.