Some of our customers get confused when the terms “short run” and “long run” are used during conversation about custom printed bags. This article will hopefully help you better understand the different terms mean. Depending on the look you want, and also any time restraints, will determine what option works better for you and your business.
SHORT RUN:
At Mid-Atlantic Packaging we offer in-house hot stamping. This is the best option if you need an order produced in two weeks or less. Hot stamping consists of using a colored foil and metal plate which heat seals the foil to the bag of your choice with your businesses logo. This process is done with either paper or plastic bags that are already made and glued together from the manufacturer. You can hot stamp as little as one case at a time. a case usually consists of 250 bags depending on the size and style of bags. You can choose from regular Kraft, White, and Oatmeal shoppers to many more colors and different styles of bags including merchandise bags. You are able to also use more than one color if needed. There are many color options to choose from. If you are looking from an exact color match to a Pantone PMS color this process may not be the right choice for you. Also, if you are looking to print in the gussets this process does not allow for that to happen. Printing in the gussets can only be done when using ink in the long run process. We will later discuss this in the long run process.
another option to the short run process is using ink to print the bags. This process is similar to hot stamping but you have many more color options to choose from. We have a large list of stock colors available but, if you would like a custom Pantone PMS color this can done as well. like hot stamping this process does not allow for gusset printing but does allow you to print as little as one case at a time.
Short run ink printing and hot stamping are most commonly printed one color on one side and one color on two sides. They are excellent alternatives for minimum quantity customized bags for smaller businesses and special events.
LONG RUN:
The long run process is very different from the short run. This is when either the plastic or paper are on a long roll and are printed before the bags are constructed. This process usually has a larger quantity minimum per size but it gives you many more options. You can print more than one color and use the entire bag as a canvas for your art. This means you can print in the gussets and pick what color handle you would like on a paper shopper. the Long Run process steps are listed below:
1.) Paper/Plastic is loaded on a roll2.) the roll is unwinds and feeds the paper or plastic to the ink roller where the logo is applied to the bags3.) the handles are now either applied or cut out depending on the style of the bags4.) Bags are then folded and assembled (plastic bags are heat sealed)5.) Bags are packaged and out the door for delivery
I hope everyone now understands the process. Please feel free to comment and let us know what you think.
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All the best,Mid-Atlantic Packaging
midatlanticpackaging.com
The following are videos provided by our good friends at Tulsack.
This first video is the Hot Stamping Process
This video is a short run inked shopping bag
The following Video is the long run process.
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