ClearBags Custom Packaging: What You Can Order & What to Know First

Last Updated on June 4, 2026 by Kira Andrus

Custom packaging is one of the most powerful ways to elevate your brand, but knowing what’s possible (and what to plan for) makes all the difference. At ClearBags, we offer a wide range of custom packaging solutions designed to balance branding, functionality, sustainability, and budget. Our custom team works with brands across food, retail, and eCommerce every day.

To help you get started, we sat down with our Sales Development Representative who works directly with customers and our production team to answer the most common questions customers ask before placing a custom order. Here’s what you can order and what you should know first.

What Types of Custom Packaging Does ClearBags Offer?

ClearBags specializes in custom bags, boxes, and mailers, with flexibility across materials, printing methods, and order quantities.

Custom Bags: Plastic, Paper, Sets & More

Custom bags are at the core of what ClearBags does best. From simple flat bags to multi-layer stand up pouches, customization options vary by structure, material, and intended use, especially for food and retail applications.

Barrier Levels: Moisture, Oxygen, and Light Protection

Barrier requirements depends heavily on the type of bag and what you’re packaging. For stand-up pouches in particular, we offer options that protect against:

• Moisture
• Oxygen
• Light

These barriers help preserve freshness, extend shelf life, and protect product quality. Other bag styles (such as flap seal or zipper bags) also offer barrier options, though the available combinations vary by structure.

All materials used for food packaging are FDA approved, and food-safe packaging is clearly labeled as such on our website so you can order with confidence.

Closures, Openings, and Functional Add-Ons

Functional features are often just as important as branding. Depending on the bag style, we can add:

• Zippers (available for stand-up pouches and select flat bags)
• Tear notches (available across all bag styles)
• Hang holes (available across all bag styles)

These features can impact usability, retail display and cost, so it’s helpful to prioritize what your customer experience requires versus what’s optional.

How Bag Size Is Determined

Bag sizing can be confusing, especially for food products. Most of our stand-up pouch sizes are measured using whole coffee beans as a reference point. That means volume, not just weight, plays a key role.

Because products vary in density, we strongly recommend testing with your actual product whenever possible to ensure the right fit and presentation.

Custom Boxes: Clear, Paper, Sets & More

In addition to bags, ClearBags offers custom box solutions designed to protect products while enhancing presentation, which is especially important for retail and gift-ready packaging.

Custom box options include:

• Clear boxes
• Paperboard boxes
• Box and insert sets
• Multi-piece packaging configurations

As with bags, box customization can include structural design, printing, finishes, and specialty treatments. Because box projects often involve more variables (such as inserts, folding styles, and thickness) these are typically quoted on a case-by-case basis.

If you’re unsure whether a clear box, paperboard box, or full set is right for your product, our team can guide you through the decision based on durability needs, display goals, and budget.

Custom Cardboard & Paperboard Options

Yes, we do offer customized cardboard packaging. This includes:

• Paperboard and backing board (each serves a different purpose and thickness)
• Fluting and finishing options
• Embossing
• Debossing
• Full-color logos
• Foil applications
• Soft-touch coatings or laminations

Because cardboard customizations vary widely in structure and finish, these projects are quoted on a case-by-case basis. If you’re not sure whether you need backing board or paperboard, our team can help you choose based on durability and presentation needs.

Custom Mailers: Poly, Padded, Rigid & More

Poly Mailers

We offer fully customized poly mailers, including branded designs. These do require higher minimum quantities, which is typical for full customization.

Padded, Rigid, and Metallic Mailers

These can also be customized, but like poly mailers, they come with higher minimum order requirements due to production processes.

Can I Order Custom Packaging in Lower Quantities?

In many cases, yes.

While some custom projects require 5,000+ units, we do offer smaller minimums for certain products:

• BOPP bags
• Stand-up pouches
• Flat heat seal bags
• Digitally printed bags (starting around 500 units)
• Some boxes may also have lower minimums

If you’re ordering boxes or highly specialized structures, minimums tend to be higher, but it’s always worth asking.

Printing Techniques We Use (and Why They Matter)

Different packaging types require different printing methods. Here’s what we offer:

• Digital Printing – Primarily used for bags; ideal for shorter runs and quicker turnarounds
• Rotogravure Printing – Commonly used for bags; excellent for high-volume, detailed designs 
• Offset Printing – Used for boxes in about 99% of cases

We do not typically offer screen printing or silk screen printing, as these methods represent a very small portion of packaging production and aren’t ideal for most projects.

Understanding printing techniques matters because choosing the wrong print method can drive up costs or delay production.

What About Padding Materials?

At this time, ClearBags does not offer custom padding materials for packaging.

Custom Packaging & Sustainability: What You Should Know

A common concern is whether customization makes packaging less eco-friendly. The short answer: it doesn’t have to.

We offer several customizable sustainable materials, including:

• PLA for bags
• PBAT monosubstrate
• Cello/NatureFlex™ NK
• Recycled PET for boxes

Even when paper is used for bags, we add a PLA lining on the inside to maintain sustainability and functionality.

Our compostable packaging meets strict standards:

• Ink usage must be less than 10% of the bag’s thickness (ours is well below that)
• Options include commercially compostable (CC), home compostable, and recyclable materials

Our products are certified or labeled so you and your consumer know your packaging is truly eco friendly. 

You can still brand your packaging while keeping sustainability intact.

Special Considerations for Custom Food Packaging

Food packaging requires extra planning, and the most important question is simple:

What are you packaging?

Here are key factors to consider:

• Barrier needs: Dry goods may work in clear bags, while other foods require higher barriers (which can still be compostable)
• Product variety: You might want multiple designs in the same bag structure, even if thickness varies
• Bag structure: Heat seal bags have seams that can affect nutrition label placement
• Usable space: Consider side seams, zipper placement, and how much visible area you need
• Retail display: Will it hang or stand? Is your shelf space limited?
• Shipping & storage: Durability and storage efficiency matter

We can often send a “close-enough” sample for testing before you commit to a full order.

What Impacts the Cost of Custom Bags?

Several factors influence pricing, including:

• Material selection
• Bag size
• Number of print colors
• Added features (zippers, hang holes, specialty finishes)
• Order quantity
• Lead time

While material, size, and print are major drivers, quantity and timeline can significantly affect overall cost. Higher volumes generally lower per-unit pricing, and tighter timelines may increase production costs.

Start With What We Do Best and Ask Questions

A great first step is browsing our website to see what ClearBags already offers. If you find something that’s close, but not quite right, ask us about it. Different size? Different material? Different finish? 

If it’s in our wheelhouse, we’ll help make it happen. 

Ready to Customize?

Custom packaging doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right questions, the right materials, and the right partner, you can create packaging that protects your product, represents your brand, and supports your sustainability goals. If something isn’t the right fit, we’ll tell you.

ClearBags has over 30 years of experience in packaging and focuses exclusively on bags, boxes, and mailers. Reach out to our team to start the conversation and get a quote tailored to your needs.

Check out some more custom projects done by ClearBags: