How do I choose between flexographic and gravure printing?

Compare the artwork, setup assets, order plan, proofing path, film construction and acceptance controls before choosing a method. Neither process is automatically the right option for every PE flat bag or film roll stock order.

Can You Print PE Flat Bags or Film Roll Stock?

Yes, custom printing on PE flat bags or film roll stock can be reviewed. Send the bag construction, finished dimensions, print faces, artwork, colour count, coverage, quantity and acceptance criteria; the printing method, proofing and setup terms are confirmed after the specification is reviewed.

Can a printer choose the method before final artwork?

A final recommendation should wait until the artwork, bag construction, print sides, coverage, colors and acceptance requirements are known. These inputs affect process feasibility and the written quotation.

How Are PE Flat Bag or Film Roll Stock Printing Costs Determined?

No fixed printing cost should be assumed before review. Setup assets, artwork, colors, coverage, construction, quantity, proofing and packing are confirmed in the written quote.

How Should Printing Be Accepted Before Shipment?

Define the artwork version, color reference, position, legibility, barcode and test method before production. The acceptance criteria and tolerance should be written for the specific order.

Which products does this printing guide cover?

This guide covers printing for PE flat bags and PE film or roll stock. Confirm the finished product route, film construction and artwork before comparing flexographic and gravure options.

Which Printing Method Fits PE Flat Bags or Film Roll Stock?

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Updated October 25, 2026 · 8 min read

Short answer: Compare flexographic printing and gravure printing by artwork, print faces, colors, coverage, film construction, repeat length, order plan and acceptance controls; no single method is best for every PE flat bag or film roll stock project.

Scope note: This guide covers printing for PE flat bags and PE film or roll stock. Review the two PE product routes, then confirm the finished product, film construction and artwork before comparing printing methods.

Choose the product route first: If the format is not fixed, review our two PE products: PE Flat Bags or PE Film & Roll Stock before choosing a printing method.

For a process-level view, read the PE flat bag and film roll stock manufacturing process guide; the route depends on the finished construction and written specification.

Flexographic and gravure printing can both produce useful results on polyethylene bags. The better choice is not determined by one universal MOQ or price table. It depends on the approved artwork, number of print faces and colors, coverage, film construction, repeat length, order plan, proofing needs and the equipment available for the job.

Buyer rule: ask for both options against the same written specification. A plate fee, cylinder fee or unit price is not comparable when the suppliers are quoting different bag structures, artwork coverage, quantities or quality controls.

Quick comparison

Factor	Flexographic printing	Gravure printing
Image carrier	A raised flexible plate transfers ink to the film.	Recessed cells in an engraved cylinder transfer ink to the film.
Setup asset	A plate is normally required for each separated print color and design position.	An engraved cylinder is normally required for each separated print color and design position.
Best evaluated by	Artwork, press capability, substrate, coverage, proof and quoted run plan.	Artwork, cylinder specification, substrate, coverage, proof and forecast repeat volume.
Design changes	A revised design may require one or more replacement plates.	A revised design may require one or more replacement cylinders.
Commercial comparison	Compare setup, proofing and run charges at the requested quantities.	Compare setup, proofing, run charges and asset-reuse terms across planned reorders.

How flexographic printing works

Flexographic printing uses a flexible plate with a raised image. Ink is metered onto the plate and transferred to the moving film. The result depends on the plate, anilox specification, ink system, film surface, press setup and operator controls.

Flexo can be a practical candidate for text, logos and many line or spot-color designs, but the supplier still needs to review the actual artwork. Fine reverses, small text, gradients, large solids and tight registration can change what is achievable on a particular press.

Questions to ask about flexo

Which press and maximum print width will be used for this bag?
How many plates are included, and what artwork change triggers a replacement?
What film surface treatment and ink system are proposed?
What proof or production reference will control color and registration?
How will the plates be identified, stored, reused and charged on a reorder?

How gravure printing works

Gravure printing uses recessed cells engraved into a cylinder. Ink fills the cells, excess ink is removed from the cylinder surface, and the remaining ink is transferred to the film.

Gravure may be considered for artwork and production plans that benefit from its cylinder-based process, but “gravure” alone does not guarantee a specific color tolerance, detail level or unit cost. Cylinder engraving, press capability, substrate, ink, proofing and process control all remain part of the result.

Questions to ask about gravure

What cylinder circumference, face width and engraving specification match the bag?
How many cylinders are required for the separated artwork and print faces?
Who owns the cylinders, how long are they stored, and what are the reuse conditions?
What proof or signed reference is available before the production run?
What happens to cost and lead time if text, barcode, color or repeat length changes?

Compare commercial offers without invented benchmark prices

Printing economics change with bag weight, resin, film width, artwork coverage, number of colors, print faces, order quantity, waste allowance, setup assets and the supplier’s production plan. A public benchmark cannot replace a current specification-based quote.

Ask each supplier to separate these items:

bag or film production cost for each requested quantity scenario;
plate or cylinder charges by color and print face;
proof, trial or sample charges and what approval they provide;
printing run charges, packing, freight and any taxes included or excluded;
overrun or underrun tolerance;
asset ownership, storage period, maintenance and reorder reuse terms;
lead time split between artwork approval, asset preparation and production.

Compare the full forecast. Calculate the first order and realistic reorders using the same approved specification. A lower unit rate may not be the lower total cost if setup assets, artwork changes, waste, proofing or storage are treated differently.

A practical decision sequence

Freeze the bag specification. Confirm material, finished size, thickness definition, bag construction and packing before comparing print methods. Use the What PE Flat Bag or Film Roll Size Do I Need? guide if the finished dimensions still need to be organized.
Review the final artwork. Separate colors, identify print faces, coverage, repeat length, print direction, barcode, small text and registration-critical elements.
Quote realistic order scenarios. Compare the first order and expected reorders, not an unrelated public MOQ.
Define proofing and acceptance. State which proof controls layout, which reference controls color, and how registration, adhesion and barcodes will be checked.
Record setup-asset terms. Confirm charges, ownership, storage, revision and reuse in writing.

Once the bag, artwork and order scenarios are defined, use the material comparison tool and thickness converter for an initial film review, then use the How Do You Prepare a PE Flat Bag or Film Roll RFQ? builder to organize the information for a comparable written review. The tools do not select a printing process or approve a production specification.

Artwork and proof checklist

Supply a vector artwork file where possible, with fonts outlined and linked images included.
State finished bag dimensions, print area, repeat direction, opening, seals and any no-print zones.
Identify spot colors with the agreed physical color system; do not treat an ordinary screen display as a color standard.
Confirm whether white ink, reverse printing, lamination or printing on both faces is required.
Use a digital proof to confirm content and layout; agree separately how production color and material appearance will be approved.
For barcodes or small text, define minimum size and verify a production sample under the intended conditions.

Print-quality acceptance before shipment

The purchase specification should name the artwork revision and the acceptance checks. Useful controls can include print position, registration, color reference, text legibility, barcode scan, ink adhesion or rub resistance, blocking, odor and visible contamination. The exact test method and tolerance must be agreed for the product and market.

Apply the same evidence principle used in the How Do You Inspect PE Bags or Film Rolls Before Shipment? checklist: record the lot, sample plan, test conditions, individual results, photos and any non-conformance. A generic claim of “high-quality printing” is not an inspection record.

Request a comparable printing review

Send the information needed to compare methods against one specification:

bag construction, material, finished dimensions and thickness;
order quantity scenarios and likely reorder plan;
final artwork, print faces, colors and coverage;
proofing, color, registration, adhesion and barcode requirements;
destination market and any ink or packaging-document requirements.

Discuss Your Printed Bag Specification →