Bag Manufacturing & Bulk Ordering Glossary
Plain-language definitions of the terms you will meet when ordering bags in bulk.
Quick answer
55 bag-manufacturing terms explained in plain language, with why each one matters for a bulk order.
Updated by the Vago team
Key takeaways
- MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity): The smallest quantity a manufacturer will produce for one order or design.
- GSM (grams per square metre): A measure of fabric or paper weight — higher GSM is heavier and usually stronger.
- Denier (D): A measure of yarn thickness used for polyester and nylon — e.g. 600D, 1680D.
- Oxford fabric: A basket-weave polyester or nylon fabric widely used for bags.
- Ripstop: A fabric with a reinforced grid that stops small tears from spreading.
All terms
- MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
- The smallest quantity a manufacturer will produce for one order or design.
- GSM (grams per square metre)
- A measure of fabric or paper weight — higher GSM is heavier and usually stronger.
- Denier (D)
- A measure of yarn thickness used for polyester and nylon — e.g. 600D, 1680D.
- Oxford fabric
- A basket-weave polyester or nylon fabric widely used for bags.
- Ripstop
- A fabric with a reinforced grid that stops small tears from spreading.
- PU coating
- A thin polyurethane layer on fabric that adds water resistance.
- Gusset
- An extra panel that gives a bag depth and volume.
- Lamination
- A thin film bonded to a fabric or paper for water resistance and a cleaner print surface.
- Bar tacking
- Dense reinforcement stitching at points under stress.
- Box-cross stitch
- A square stitch with an X inside, used to anchor handles.
- Webbing
- Strong woven tape used for straps and handles.
- Trolley sleeve
- A back strap that slides a bag over a suitcase handle.
- Private label
- Products made by a manufacturer and sold under the buyer's brand.
- OEM
- Original equipment manufacturing — producing a buyer's own design.
- Tech pack
- A specification document that describes how a product must be made.
- Pre-production sample (PPS)
- The final sample approved before bulk production starts.
- Pantone colour matching
- Matching fabric, trims and print colours to a standard colour code.
- Vector artwork
- A logo file made of shapes (AI, EPS, PDF, SVG) that scales without losing quality.
- rPET
- Fabric made from recycled PET plastic bottles.
- Juco
- A blend of jute and cotton fibres.
- Drawstring closure
- A cord threaded through a channel that pulls a bag closed.
- Thermal insulation
- A foam and foil layer that keeps food hot or cold.
- Landed cost
- The total cost of goods once they reach you, including freight.
- Lead time
- The time from order confirmation to dispatch.
- HSN code
- The product classification code used for GST invoices in India.
- Zip size (#5, #8, #10)
- The number describing a zip's tooth width — higher numbers are stronger.
- Zip puller
- The tab you hold to open and close a zip — often branded.
- D-ring
- A D-shaped metal or plastic ring used to attach straps.
- EVA and PE foam padding
- Lightweight foam used to pad laptop compartments, straps and back panels.
- Lining
- The inner fabric layer of a bag.
- Binding tape
- Tape sewn over raw inner seams to finish them neatly.
- Piping
- A corded edge trim that defines a bag's shape.
- Colour fastness
- How well a fabric or print keeps its colour when washed, rubbed or exposed to light.
- AQL inspection
- A sampling method for inspecting a bulk order's quality.
- Carton marking
- Labels on shipping cartons showing style, colour, size and quantity.
- Proforma invoice
- A preliminary invoice that confirms price and terms before production.
- EXW, FOB and delivered prices
- Terms that say who pays freight and where ownership passes.
- Rivets
- Metal fasteners that reinforce stress points.
- Reflective tape
- Retro-reflective strips that make bags visible in low light.
- Sublimation printing
- Full-colour printing where dye becomes part of polyester fabric.
- Hang tag
- A printed card tag attached to a bag for retail display.
- Polybag packing
- Packing each bag in its own plastic or paper sleeve.
- Barcode (EAN/UPC) labels
- Scannable product codes used by retailers and marketplaces.
- Abrasion resistance
- How well a fabric resists wear from rubbing.
- Water-resistant vs waterproof
- Water-resistant sheds rain; waterproof keeps water out completely.
- Dye lot
- A batch of fabric dyed at the same time.
- Mock-up
- A digital preview of the bag with your branding.
- D-cut handle
- A handle hole punched into the top of a carry bag.
- Loop handle
- A separate strip of fabric sewn on as a handle.
- Flexo printing
- Roll-fed printing used for high-volume paper and non-woven bags.
- Kraft paper
- Strong, usually brown, unbleached paper used for carry bags.
- Twisted paper handle
- A handle made of twisted paper cord glued inside a paper bag.
- Base board
- A stiff insert that keeps a bag's base flat.
- Biodegradable
- A material that breaks down naturally over time.
- PVC-free
- Made without polyvinyl chloride coatings or materials.
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