June 27, 2026
Why do certain plastic bags seem crisp and neat, while others are basic and boring? I have been working in the plastic bag making industry for over 12 years, and I am an expert in square bottom bag making machines. I know how much the appropriate kind of printing may affect the worth of your bag.
In this article, I will introduce the three primary printing kinds of square bottom bags. I will discuss pre-print, flexo, and colour printing. By the end of it you'll know which one is the best fit for your equipment and your company.
A square bottom bag making machine can make flat-base bags that can stand on their own. It folds, seals and cuts PE, BOPP and other plastic sheets to make completed bags. These bags are used in food, retail and gift wrapping.
Most recent types are computer controlled bag manufacturing machines thus each cut and seal is incredibly precise. A competent automated bag producing equipment line can make thousands of bags per hour with very little waste. Knowing this will help you choose the proper print technique.

Choosing the proper technique of printing is a major choice. It alters the appearance of your bag. It also impacts your cost to your brand image. Today there are three primary kinds of plastic bag production equipment.
These are flexo printing, pre-printed rolls and in-line colour printing. They all function in various ways. Your decision will depend on the quantity of your order, your budget, and your design demands. Let us look at each one simply.
In flexo printing the ink is transferred to the film using rubber plates. It's fast. It pairs well with high speed bag production machines. Doesn't delay your queue down.
Low price per bag for bulk orders
Suitable for PE film and other plastic films
Simple to set up for repeat orders
Maintains colour stability over lengthy runs
Easy to integrate into an industrial plastic bag making machine line
Bags from grocery and supermarkets
Retail, shopping bags.
Simple branding bottom sealing bag machine output
Fixed design repeat orders
Pre-printed roll stock means the film is printed prior to going into the square bottom bag making machine. It is produced in a separate stage by gravure or digital print. Then put the ready rolls into the plastic film sealing and cutting machine to manufacture the bags.

Prints incredibly crisp, picture quality images
Ideal for premium food, gift and cosmetics bags
No ink ever touches film in the bag production process – colours remain clean
Works nicely with bespoke square bag making solution
Compatible with metallic, matte and special effect inks
Retail bags for luxury
Gift and boutique boxes
Detailed brand artwork on export bags.
Multi-layer laminated film bag
Color printing is more than just making bags look nice. It is a genuine business tool. A good print on a bag generates brand confidence. It means product quality. It makes your luggage pop off the shelf. Studies suggest that colour increases brand recognition by up to 80%. If you have a computer controlled bag producing machine then adding full colour print might help you sell to greater markets.
There are three methods to add colour, inline units, pre-print rolls and digital short runs. Each one appeals to a particular sort of customer. The right print method boosts your square bottom bag making machine output.
You may save money using inline units on extended runs. Pre-print wins on quality and design detail. Most automatic bag making equipment firms pick depending on their key consumer.
No Additional Step in the Process
Scale: lower cost per bag
Less choice of colours
Alignment mistakes may ruin film
Crisp, clean, professional output
Works with all plastic film folding machine set-up
Higher set up cost
Subject to minimum order sizes
Real examples show you what works for your company. Many manufacturers have altered their printing procedures after observing what others have done. It does not matter if you operate a little business or a long queue with an automatic counting bag machine.
These examples demonstrate what can be done. The appropriate print set-up helps reduce waste. It may accelerate your queue. It may also be a way to boost the price you earn each bag. Choose the best ink type for your square bottom bag making machine line.

Each firm selected what suited their volume and brand objectives. There is no ideal option. That depends on what you build and who you sell it to. Flexo and pre-print both work well with a square bottom bag making machine.
Food & Bakery: Fresh, crisp brand appearance - Pre-print
Retail & Boutique: Pre-print full colour on laminated film
Industrial Packing Low cost, strength flexo 1 or 2 colour
Agriculture & Feed: Flexo UV ink PE film bag making machine output
Export Packaging: Pre-print Rolls of Top Quality and Brand Rules
Matching your print technique to your Square Bottom Bag Making Machine is easy. First, know your objectives. Question: How many bags do I manufacture in a month? What designs do you need? What is my budget?
For most enterprises, flexo with plastic film sealing and cutting machine is the optimum start. Pre-print rolls. The sensible choice for premium markets. The best long term solution for complete automation is a computer controlled bag production machine with inline color.
Flexo inline printing = High volume + simple design
Pre-printed roll stock -> Premium feel + complex art
Digital short run printing = Short runs + quick changeovers
tight budget beginning => Single colour flexo on PE film bag making machine
Export market + brand emphasis Pre-print gravure + lamination
Yes. There are several modern machines with inline print units built in. They print the bag as it is being formed. They function well up to 6 colours. Use pre-printed rolls for more intricate art. Most computer controlled bag manufacturing machines operate with both configurations.
Good for basic large volume orders
Saves a stage in the process
Routine ink and roller maintenance
Flexo employs rubber plates. It is quick and affordable to install. Gravure employs cut metal cylinders. It has a better quality print. Gravure is good for precise detail and large runs. Flexo is well suited for short to medium runs. Both are good for PE film bag making machines.
Flexo: fast set-up, ideal for repeat tasks
Gravure: print is crisper, cylinder costs more
Both are typical in the set-up of plastic bag machines
Inline flexo may take 4-6 colours. Up to 8-10 pre-print gravure or flexo rolls of colours. Digital print provides unlimited colours but is slower. Higher cost per bag, more design possibilities, more colours.
1-2 colours: minimal branding, lowest price
4–6 hues Standard retail and food bags
8-10 hues luxury bags with photographs or gradients
Yes. Pre-printed rolls are compatible with any standard roll stock plastic film folding machine. You simply have to get the tension and alignment perfect. Most high speed bag producing machines can run pre-printed rolls without any modifications.
Check the roll width is suitable for your machine
Tension adjustment to maintain print in proper position
Compatible with most bottom seal and side seal machines
Print registration is matching the print with the cut and seal points. Modern computer controlled bag production machines employ sensors and servo motors to maintain alignment at high speed. Poor registration wastes film and degrades bag quality. Regularly tightened up.
servo systems provide the finest alignment
Camera systems detect problems in real-time
Better registration means less waste and better quality bags
The appropriate printing procedure will increase the profitability of your square bottom bag making machine. Flexo does large jobs. Pre-print has quality designs. Colour printing reinforces your brand. Ruian Yunfeng Machinery Co., Ltd. is the ideal machine you need for anything you require.
We are providing high speed bag manufacturing machines, computer controlled bag making machines, full customised square bag making solutions with full support. receive in touch with them immediately and receive the ideal setup for your bag company.