Q:  What is the minimum for a stock bag order?
A:  The minimum for our products is 1 case. For most of our products, you may order ½ case, however, please note that a 10% split case fee will be added to your order.

Q:  How do I place my order?
A:  We offer four different options for placing your order with PBi. You can order toll free by phone at 1.800.562.2247, our customer service representatives are always happy to help between 7am and 5pm Pacific Standard Time. You can fax your order to us at any time to 425.990.8582 or you can order online at www.pacificbag.com. You can also email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Q:  What is the lead time for stock orders?
A:  Orders usually ship within 24-48 hours after being placed.

Q:  Why Do You Recommend That I Receive Samples Prior to Placing My Order?
A:  We recommend sending samples prior to placing your order so you can try the bags/pouches with your product and make sure that they will work for your needs prior to committing to a case. Our size descriptions for our items (i.e. “8oz. stand-up pouch”), are based on whole bean coffee, so if your product has a different density, then you will be able to fit a different amount within the “8oz.” bag.

We also recommend that you try the samples with each variety of your product that you offer If you are packaging coffee, please note that the type of roast (light/dark) will affect the fill height. For more information, visit our blog post The Impact of Roast on Fill Height.

Q:  Do you have volume discounts?
A:  We do offer volume discounts, which vary depending on the item. Please contact a CSR representative for more details.

Q:  Where is your warehouse located?
A:  We ship products from either our main warehouse in Woodinville, WA or our secondary warehouse in Lansdale, PA.

Q:  Does Pacific Bag have Shipping Discounts?
A:  Yes, we will pay for shipping on any order more than $1,500 shipping to the continental United States.

Q:  Does Pacific Bag ship internationally?
A:  Yes. We regularly ship to Europe, Latin America, Africa and various other locations around the globe. We compare shipping quotes with various shipping companies to get you the best possible shipping rate.

Q:  What is the one-way degassing valve used for?
A:  The most common application of the one-way degassing valve is for fresh roasted coffee. Fresh roasted coffees emit large amounts of gas (CO2) for several days after roasting. At the same time, coffee requires protection from air to maintain its fresh roasted taste. A coffee roaster must seal his coffee in a package that will (1) not allow air to enter the bag to spoil freshness, and (2) will allow the CO2 emitted from coffee to escape out of the bag.

For more information, please see the One-Way Degassing Valve section of this website or call a customer service representative at 800-562-2247.

Q:  What’s the difference between “High Barrier Bags and Low-Medium Barrier Bags”?
A:  High barrier bags are usually built with a layer of foil. Foil is considered the “end all-be all” when it comes protecting products, and is recommended for extremely sensitive products (i.e. Coffee).

Low-Medium barrier bags range from clear bags to metalized bags. Metalized bags are built with a foil-like material called Metalized Polyester. These bags are recommended for Teas, Granolas, Snack Food Products, Candies, Chocolates, Pet Food, etc.

Q:  Are your bags recyclable?
A:  The short answer is no. Our bags utilize various laminated materials to ensure product protection and go beyond typical single-ply structured bags. To properly recycle our bags, they first need to be delaminated, and then properly recycled. Not many recycling companies offer this service. Additionally, our bags are produced in high end, energy efficient, facilities and are relatively clean to produce.  For more on Sustainable Packaging, please see our published works located on the website.

Q:  Does your packaging contain BPA or any other hazardous chemicals?
A:  No, our packaging is made from food grade materials and does not contain hazardous chemicals, such as BPA.

Q:  What are your minimums for Custom Printed Bags?
A:  Custom printing quantities vary based on the printing substrate being used and total square inches. For example, printed tin cans typically start at 5,000 pieces, whereas a 12-16 oz coffee bag requires 20,000 pieces. Contact our Sales/Service Group for minimums on the size/style of your package.

Q:  What does the lead‐time of a custom printed project entail?
A:  PBI’s lead‐time for new bags/ pouches is 10‐12 weeks from paper proof approval. The
engraving of cylinders and tear‐sample color approval process is included within the 10‐12 week lead‐time. It takes about 2 to 2.5 weeks to receive a tear‐sample after paper proof approval.

NOTES:

• Air shipping can be used to expedite delivery and typically reduces the 10‐12 week lead time by 3 weeks
• Lead‐time for new roll‐stock is 8‐10 weeks from paper proof approval

Q:  How many colors can I use when building the artwork?
A:  Typically 8 colors is the maximum number of colors that can be used for most custom projects (this includes custom printed promotional tote bags). 7 colors is the maximum for printing on kraft paper, rice paper, and tins. 12 colors is the maximum for printing on jute. This includes spot and process colors.

Q: Is it better to build artwork using process colors or Pantone colors?
A:  It is always better to use Pantone colors if possible. Pantone colors provide a specific color match, and are used universally around the world. They are more consistent from production run to production run and are also used to help prevent banding/striping for the ink.

The Four‐Color Process or “CMYK,” uses 4 cylinders to print overlapping colors in order to create complex images such as photos or illustrations. Any color can be created by overlapping combinations of CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black). Process colors (CMYK) should only be used when there aren’t enough cylinders available for the number of colors used in the artwork (Example: photographic images). PBI will consolidate and/or add colors as needed to make the best of the artwork. PBI will work to keep the colors to the least possible number to minimize the number of required cylinders.

Q:  Where can a professional grade color accurate proof be obtained?
A:  This proof is created through special “rip” software, and can be obtained through most print shops or service bureaus. PBI’s manufacturing plant can use these types of proofs as color matches for process areas in place of formal printed tear‐samples. This type of proof will provide our manufacturing plant an excellent color match target, and can be used in conjunction with Pantone Chips.

Q:  What is the difference between a proof, a draw‐down, and a tear sample?
A:  Proof – This is a full scale copy of the artwork printed on professional proofing paper or film, which may or may not be color accurate. It is used primarily for copy and placement approval.

Draw‐downs – Color samples of spot (Pantone) colors or special match colors that are used to demonstrate how colors will appear on different substrates, including polyester and various papers.

Tear samples – Color accurate samples of the artwork printed on the actual substrate that will be used in formal production (polyester film/ natural kraft paper, etc). Printed polyester tear samples are most common (this is the outer layer of the majority of laminated products PBI produces). For a fee, PBI can provide tear samples with various details such as a floodcoat of surface printed matte print, or even registered matte print (to show the areas of shiny polyester as well as the areas of matte).

Q:  What does the word “Registered” mean?
A:  The word “registered” is a printing term which refers to the alignment of the cylinders.
Print that is in register is created so that the finished text/ image is clear and crisp.
Printing that is out of register typically will look blurry, and for process areas, can also lead to colors being wrong.

Sometimes, the word registered is use when referring to “matte” or “white.” This means that the matte or white is partially printed on the bag/ pouch as opposed to being a floodcoat of matte or white (100% matte or 100% white print).

Q:  How will the color be affected by adding a layer of surface printed matte print?
A:  Colors will become denser (less vivid) when matte is added. The effect of the matte can vary drastically depending on color used. For example, if matte is added to black, the color will appear a dark gray as opposed to a true black.

Q:  Is it better to use a registered white layer or a metallic ink in order to achieve a metallic look?
A:  A registered white layer can be used to create a metallic look. Any areas that are not backed in white will allow the metallization of the structure to show through.

Metallic inks can also be used on non metallic structures as well as foil/ metalized structures where a very particular metalized color is desired. Allowing the foil layer or metalized layer of a lamination to dictate the overall metalized look of a color can be challenging if there is a very precise color in mind. Some customers have preferred to select a Pantone ink that is metalized to offer more control over the final product.

Q:  What is the color match tolerance and how is this measured from production run to production run?
A:  PBI specifies a Delta E tolerance of +/‐ 3.

NOTE: Delta‐E is used to mathematically describe the variance between two like colors.
PBI takes Delta‐E measurements using a Konica Minolta Color Reader CR‐10, and also reviews samples in a light box under natural outdoor light setting (industry standard).
These are the conditions under which PBI’s manufacturing plants will verify color accuracy.

Q:  What is the function of white in the artwork? Does white count as a color?
A:  White prints as a color and therefore will use one of the allotted printing cylinders.
Artwork is typically designed so that all colors within the design are backed with white.
This allows colors to print true to their nature and gives them more depth and definition than if they were printed without a white backing.

As noted above, sometimes structures are produced with areas that have an absence of white. This will allow the bag/ pouch structure to show through. You will see this with a clear structure when there is a desire for a window to see the finished product being packaged. As noted previously, this is seen with metallic structures when the desire is for the colors to look metallic.

Q:  What’s included in PBi’s Prepress Charges?
A:  Prepress Charges (cylinder charges)

PBI’s prepress package includes the following:

• 1 paper proof for verification of copy and artwork placement.
• 1 paper mock‐up for side gusseted bag projects.
• 1 set of ink draw downs (when applicable for special match colors) – a “set” is defined as the number of Pantone or special match colors used in the artwork (not to exceed 8 colors).
• 1 engraving of Rotogravure cylinders.
• UPS Next Day charges for one shipment of proofs to one location.

Additional Costs:

• Art design and production work will be billed out at a rate of $125.00 per hour. A formal quote will be provided and must be approved by the customer prior to design work occurring.
• Additional Paper Proofs or Mock‐ups will be billed at $50.00 per proof plus shipping charges.
• Additional Ink Drawdown will be billed at $50.00 for each additional ink drawdown plus shipping charge.
• Press Proof / Tear Sample (actual production sample on printed PET) will be billed at $250.00 per printed sample plus shipping charge.

Q:  What is a one-way degassing valve?
A:  The Pacific Bag One-Way Degassing Valve consists of a valve body, a rubber disc, and oil.  The rubber disc adheres or “seals” to the valve body via a layer of the oil.  This creates an oxygen-proof seal. 

Q:  What does the one-way degassing valve do?
A:  One-Way Degassing Valves are designed to allow pressure to be released from an air-tight package while preventing air from getting back into the package. Air, especially the oxygen (O2) portion of air, can have negative effects on the package contents and its freshness. When gas pressure inside a sealed package increases beyond the “valve opening pressure,” the seal between the rubber disc and the valve body is momentarily interrupted and gas can escape out of the package.  As gas is released and the pressure inside the package drops below the “valve close pressure,” the rubber disc re-seals to the valve body and the valve is closed off to oxygen again.

Q:  What are the most common applications for the valve?
A:  The most common application of the one-way degassing valve is for fresh roasted coffee. Fresh roasted coffees emit large amounts of gas (CO2) for several days after roasting. At the same time, coffee requires protection from air to maintain its fresh roasted taste. A coffee roaster must seal their coffee in a package that will (1) not allow air to enter the bag to spoil freshness, and (2) will allow the CO2 emitted from coffee to escape out of the bag.