02 / SPECIFICATIONS
Bag weight, fabric GSM and fill weight: what is the difference?
“Weight” can describe three different things in a packaging enquiry: the empty bag, the fabric per unit area, or the product inside. Naming the measurement and its units helps prevent a low-cost quotation from being compared with a different bag.
Use g/pc for the empty bag, g/m² for fabric weight, and kg for the intended contents. None alone proves the bag’s safe load.
01
Empty bag weight: the finished item
Empty bag weight is the mass of one finished bag, usually expressed in grams per piece. State whether the figure includes the drawstring, sewing thread, printing band, coating or separate liner. A finished-bag comparison is meaningful only when the size and construction are also known. A larger bag may weigh more simply because it contains more material.
- Use an empty, clean and dry sample.
- Describe which components were included when it was weighed.
- If one bag is too light for your scale, weigh several identical bags and divide by the number of bags; record that method.
02
Fabric GSM: weight per unit area
GSM means grams per square metre. It describes the fabric being measured, not the total weight of a finished bag. Seams, hems, folded fabric, bands and other components affect the relationship between fabric GSM and finished bag weight. Ask whether a stated fabric weight refers to the base fabric or a finished construction with additional layers.
- Do not write “grams” when you mean grams per square metre.
- Compare like-for-like fabric construction and included layers.
- Do not derive a guaranteed finished bag weight from a photo or a simple width × length calculation.
03
Fill weight: the product the bag must carry
Fill weight describes the contents, commonly in kilograms. It is an intended packing requirement, not the mass of the bag. Two bags with the same empty weight can behave differently because their weave or mesh, dimensions, seams, closure and material differ. Heavier does not automatically mean suitable for every load or handling method.
- State the product, intended net contents weight and filling process.
- Describe lifting, stacking, transport and storage conditions that matter to your use.
- Confirm the relevant filling and handling checks with the supplier rather than relying on colour or bag weight alone.
04
Compare the specification before the price
Request a quotation against one agreed set of dimensions, construction, included components and weight definitions. Record acceptable tolerances and how they will be checked. If a supplier proposes a lighter or different construction, treat it as an alternative requiring review, not as the same item at a lower price.
- Keep empty bag weight, fabric weight and target contents in separate fields.
- Identify which values are measured, requested or still to be confirmed.
- Retain the approved specification and a labelled sample for repeat orders.
YOUR ENQUIRY CHECKLIST
Copy this into your purchasing brief.
Fill in what you know. Mark the remaining points “to discuss” and use the online enquiry form below to contact us. Photos or artwork can be shared through the listed WhatsApp or email contact.
Finished bag dimensions: Empty bag weight: ___ g/pc (included components: ___) Fabric weight, if specified: ___ g/m² (layers included: ___) Intended contents: ___ / target net contents: ___ kg Mesh or weave / closure / printing / liner: Required checks and agreed tolerances: Order quantity / destination: