A buyer sends a supplier this message:
“Please quote compostable produce bags for supermarkets. We need 100,000 bags.”
It sounds clear.
It is not.
Before a factory can prepare a useful quotation, we still need to know the bag size, thickness, roll count, core, roll diameter, perforation, printing, certification, packing method and delivery term.
One missing detail can change the price.
Several missing details can result in two suppliers quoting products that are not actually comparable.
This guide explains what I recommend putting into a B2B RFQ for compostable produce bags for supermarkets.
The goal is simple:
Give suppliers enough information to quote the same product.
If you are sourcing roll-fed bags, you can also review our compostable produce bags on a roll for common roll configurations. ORIZON’s current roll range allows customization of bag dimensions, thickness, bags per roll, core diameter, roll OD, perforation and carton packing.
Why “Please Quote Compostable Produce Bags” Is Not Enough
Produce bags look simple.
The specification is not.
Consider two quotations.
Supplier A quotes:
250 × 450 mm
12 μm
500 bags/roll
Supplier B quotes:
250 × 450 mm
15 μm
250 bags/roll
Both may call the product:
compostable produce bags for supermarkets.
But they are not the same product.
Material consumption is different.
Roll diameter can be different.
Replacement frequency in the supermarket can be different.
Carton quantity and shipping efficiency can also be different.
That is why I recommend writing the RFQ around the finished operating specification, not only the bag name.
The 10 Specifications Every Produce Bag RFQ Should Include
At minimum, provide:
- Bag format
- Bag dimensions
- Film thickness
- Bags per roll
- Core and roll dimensions
- Printing and film appearance
- Required certification
- Packing configuration
- Order volume
- Incoterm and destination
For existing supermarket programs, also send the current bag or roll specification if possible.
A physical sample is even better.
1. Define the Produce Bag Format
Start with the bag construction.
Common formats include:
Flat Open-Top Bags on Roll
This is a common option for supermarket self-service fruit and vegetable sections.
Customers tear one bag from the roll, open it and place loose produce inside.
C-Fold Produce Bags
The film is folded before winding.
This can change opening, roll width and dispenser behavior.
Vest or T-Shirt Produce Bags
These have built-in handles.
They normally need a different size and thickness approach because the bag may carry heavier produce.
Flat Loose Bags
These are supplied loose or in packs rather than on a dispenser roll.
Your RFQ should therefore start with something more specific than:
Produce bag.
Write:
Flat open-top compostable produce bag on roll
or:
Vest-style compostable produce bag on roll
Your supplier now knows what to quote.
ORIZON’s current produce-roll range includes flat open-top, C-fold and vest-style formats.
2. Give the Exact Bag Size
Always specify dimensions.
For example:
250 mm W × 450 mm L
If the bag has gussets, show them separately.
For example:
300 + 75 + 75 mm × 500 mm
Do not write:
Medium produce bag.
There is no useful engineering definition of “medium” here.
Width, Length and Gusset
The three measurements affect:
- film area
- bag weight
- product capacity
- roll width
- roll diameter
- carton weight
- material cost
A change that looks small can become significant across hundreds of thousands of bags.
So use millimetres or centimetres and make the drawing unambiguous.
Use Your Existing Bag as a Reference
If you are replacing a PE or compostable produce bag that already works well, send:
- one unused bag
- one full roll, if possible
- current specification sheet
- roll photos
- dispenser photos
This is often faster than trying to describe every detail from memory.
For replacement programs, ORIZON already asks buyers for existing roll samples, dispenser photos or current roll specifications so the new configuration can be checked before production.
3. Specify Film Thickness
Thickness is normally expressed in μm, or microns.
Do not choose it only by copying another supplier.
It should be considered with:
- bag size
- produce type
- expected load
- puncture risk
- film formulation
- transparency
- roll diameter
- cost
For ORIZON projects, a practical starting framework is:
| Produce Bag Type | Practical Starting Range | Starting Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Supermarket roll produce bags | 10–15 μm | 12 or 15 μm |
| Standard loose produce bags | 15–18 μm | 15 μm |
| Heavier fruit / market use | 18–20 μm | 18 or 20 μm |
| Secondary food-waste use | 20–25 μm | 20 or 25 μm |
| Handle / T-shirt produce bags | 20–30 μm | Based on load |
These are specification starting points, not universal standards.
For many standard projects, 15 μm is a practical first sample.
A lightweight program may test 12 μm.
Heavier produce or a larger bag may justify 18–20 μm.
The final choice should come after testing.
If you are comparing several gauges, use our Compostable Produce Bag Thickness Guide once that page is published.
4. Define the Complete Roll Specification
This is one of the most important parts of a supermarket RFQ.
Do not write only:
250 bags per roll.
A complete roll specification should include:
| RFQ Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Bags per roll | 250 pcs |
| Roll width | 260 mm |
| Core ID | 25 mm |
| Core wall thickness | 5 mm |
| Maximum roll OD | 130 mm |
| Perforation | Easy tear |
| Roll direction | Confirm by sample |
| Core material | Paper |
| Outer wrapping | As required |
Why so much detail?
Because the bag is not used alone.
It is used as part of a dispensing system.
Bags per Roll
Common ORIZON produce-roll configurations currently include approximately 200–500 bags per roll, depending on the bag size, film thickness, core and dispenser requirement.
More bags per roll can reduce replacement frequency.
But it also increases the amount of film wound onto the core.
That affects roll diameter.
Core Inside Diameter
Do not say:
Standard core.
Measure it.
The important dimension is often:
Core ID — inside diameter
For example:
25 mm ID
But also measure the wall.
Core Wall Thickness
Two paper cores can have the same inside diameter but different outside diameters because the wall thickness differs.
That changes the starting winding diameter.
For a tight dispenser specification, this matters.
Roll Outer Diameter
This field is often forgotten.
It should not be.
If your supermarket dispenser has limited space, tell the supplier the:
maximum acceptable roll OD
Increasing film thickness while keeping the same bag count usually increases the amount of film wound onto the roll.
Your specification therefore needs to balance:
thickness × bags per roll × core × maximum OD.
Some commercial produce-bag systems use specially configured rolls rather than assuming all rolls fit every dispenser, which is why dispenser dimensions should be checked in replacement projects.
Perforation
Write down how the bags should separate.
Useful information includes:
- perforation spacing
- tear direction
- easy-tear requirement
- sample reference
The target is not:
strongest possible perforation.
It is:
clean separation without tearing the next bag.
A supermarket employee or shopper should not have to fight the roll.
5. Confirm Dispenser Compatibility
For a new retail program, your supplier may have flexibility.
For a replacement program, the existing dispenser often decides part of the specification.
Send:
- dispenser photo
- shaft diameter
- usable roll width
- available roll OD
- current core ID
- current roll sample
ORIZON’s roll product specification already treats roll width, core diameter, outer diameter, bag count, perforation and film thickness as connected parameters when checking dispenser compatibility.
This is much safer than producing thousands of rolls and discovering that they do not fit the existing stand.
6. Define Film Appearance and Printing
Next, tell the supplier what the bag should look like.
Possible film requirements include:
- natural translucent
- clear
- high transparency
- green tint
- custom color
If produce visibility matters, do not write only:
Transparent.
Send a reference sample.
You can also define a visual approval standard.
For buyers comparing haze and clarity, see our Compostable Produce Bag Transparency Guide. ORIZON’s clear-produce product line already separates clear/high-transparency film from other finish options because clarity is a separate commercial property.
Custom Printing
If printing is required, your RFQ should state:
- number of colors
- one-side or two-side printing
- logo
- instruction text
- certification mark
- barcode, if required
- Pantone reference
- print repeat
- approximate coverage
Then attach the artwork.
Do not send:
Green logo.
Send:
Pantone XXX C
when color matching matters.
Certification Marks Need Extra Attention
A certification logo is not simply another piece of artwork.
Do not assume that because the material is certified, every logo can automatically be printed on every custom bag.
The final product specification, material, thickness, printing and certification licence need to be checked against the applicable certification scope. ORIZON’s current produce-bag pages already treat certification as specification-dependent rather than a general factory claim.
7. State the Required Certification and Target Market
Do not send:
“Need compostable certificate.”
Tell the supplier where the product will be sold.
The requirement is different by market.
Australia
Relevant certification programs include AS 4736 for commercial compostability and AS 5810 for home compostability. The Australasian Bioplastics Association operates verification programs for both standards.
Your RFQ might say:
Target market: Australia
Required certification: AS 4736
Certification logo required: Yes
If local FOGO acceptance matters, check that separately. ABA notes that certification does not automatically mean acceptance by every local council or facility.
For Australian projects, see our AS 4736 Compostable Produce Bags Guide.
United States
If BPI certification is required, say so.
BPI currently uses ASTM D6400 as the base standard for items going through its commercial compostability certification process.
Do not write:
ASTM/BPI maybe.
Decide what your retailer, distributor or target market actually requires.
European Union
State:
- target Member State
- intended use
- required compostability documentation
- labeling requirements
- environmental claim
Do not assume one phrase such as:
PPWR compliant
is enough.
The EU PPWR defines very lightweight plastic carrier bags as those below 15 μm, but the regulatory treatment depends on the actual packaging type and use; it does not mean that every produce bag should simply be specified below 15 μm.
For EU projects, use our PPWR Compostable Produce Bags Guide before finalizing claims.
8. Define Packing Before Asking for Final Pricing
The bag specification is only half the quotation.
Packing also costs money and uses container space.
Your RFQ should include:
Roll Packing
For example:
250 bags/roll
6 rolls/carton
Inner Packaging
Specify whether you need:
- no individual wrapping
- paper band
- compostable outer bag
- PE outer bag
- custom private-label packaging
Master Carton
Ask for:
- rolls/carton
- carton dimensions
- net weight
- gross weight
Pallet
If pallets are required, specify:
- pallet type
- maximum height
- maximum weight
- cartons/pallet
- fumigation or ISPM 15 requirements where relevant
Do not wait until the order is finished to discuss palletization.
For container orders, packing efficiency can materially affect freight economics.
9. Give Order Volume and Annual Forecast
“Best price please” is not a useful volume specification.
Give the supplier a real quantity.
For example:
Trial: 500 kg
or:
2,400 rolls
or:
1 × 20GP
Also give an annual forecast when you have one.
Example:
Initial order: 500 kg
Estimated annual requirement: 5–8 tons
This helps the supplier understand whether the project is:
trial procurement
or:
repeat commercial supply.
ORIZON’s current produce-roll MOQ is usually based on 500 kg per specification, although the final bag quantity changes with size, thickness and roll configuration.
10. State the Incoterm and Destination
Do not ask:
“Please give shipping price.”
Write:
Destination: Melbourne, Australia
Requested term: CIF Melbourne, Incoterms® 2020
or:
FCA supplier factory, Incoterms® 2020
The named place or port matters.
Incoterms® define tasks, costs and risks between buyer and seller. ICC’s current rules are Incoterms® 2020.
One useful detail for international buyers:
ICC notes that FCA is typically better suited to container shipments than FOB, even where goods ultimately travel by sea, because FOB is a maritime rule where delivery occurs when goods are on board the vessel.
In practice, many buyers still request FOB.
The important thing is to state:
term + named place/port + Incoterms® version
rather than only:
FOB price.
Do Not Skip Sample Approval
A detailed RFQ improves the quotation.
A sample confirms the product.
Before mass production, I recommend approving:
- size
- thickness
- film feel
- clarity
- color
- perforation
- roll width
- core
- roll OD
- dispenser fit
- bag opening
- seal performance
For an existing supermarket program, test the sample in the actual dispenser.
Use the actual produce where possible.
A perfect-looking specification sheet can still fail in daily use.
Build a Golden Sample
For repeat supply, keep one approved sample.
This becomes your comparison reference for:
- future production
- color
- roll format
- perforation
- film feel
- transparency
- dimensions
The supplier should also have an agreed specification sheet.
The physical sample and written specification work together.
Do not rely on:
“Same as last time.”
Complete Supermarket Produce Bag RFQ Template
Below is the part I recommend buyers copy and use.
Compostable Produce Bag RFQ
| RFQ Item | Buyer Requirement |
|---|---|
| Product | Compostable produce bags for supermarkets |
| Bag format | Flat / C-fold / Vest / Other |
| Bag width | ___ mm |
| Bag length | ___ mm |
| Gusset | ___ mm / None |
| Thickness | ___ μm |
| Film appearance | Clear / High clarity / Natural / Color |
| Film color | ___ |
| Typical produce | ___ |
| Expected load | ___ kg |
| Bags per roll | ___ pcs |
| Roll width | ___ mm |
| Core ID | ___ mm |
| Core wall thickness | ___ mm |
| Maximum roll OD | ___ mm |
| Perforation | Standard / Easy tear / Reference sample |
| Printing | None / ___ color |
| Printing sides | One / Two |
| Pantone | ___ |
| Certification required | ___ |
| Certification mark printing | Yes / No |
| Food-contact documentation | Target-market requirement |
| Rolls per carton | ___ |
| Inner packing | ___ |
| Carton requirement | ___ |
| Pallet required | Yes / No |
| Initial order volume | ___ |
| Annual forecast | ___ |
| Destination | ___ |
| Incoterm | ___ + named place/port + Incoterms® 2020 |
| Reference sample available | Yes / No |
| Sample approval required | Yes |
Example of a Well-Written Produce Bag RFQ
Compare this:
Please quote compostable vegetable bags. Need good quality and good price.
with this:
We are sourcing compostable produce bags for a supermarket program.
Bag format: Flat open-top on roll
Size: 250 × 450 mm
Thickness: 15 μm
Film: Clear / high clarity
Bags per roll: 250
Core ID: 25 mm
Maximum roll OD: 130 mm
Perforation: Easy tear
Printing: 1 color
Certification: Required for target market
Packing: 6 rolls/carton
Initial quantity: 500 kg
Annual forecast: To be confirmed
Destination: Sydney, Australia
Quotation term: Please quote agreed Incoterm and named location
Current roll/dispenser sample: Available
The second RFQ gives a factory something it can actually engineer and price.
It also makes quotations from different suppliers much easier to compare.
Common Produce Bag RFQ Mistakes
Mistake 1: Giving Only Bag Size
250 × 450 mm
is not enough.
Add thickness and roll configuration.
Mistake 2: Giving Only Bags per Roll
500 bags/roll
does not tell us whether the finished roll will fit your dispenser.
Add core and maximum roll OD.
Mistake 3: Asking for “Standard Core”
There is no reason to rely on this wording when the core can simply be measured.
Give:
ID + wall thickness.
Mistake 4: Saying “Transparent”
If transparency matters commercially, send a reference.
The word itself is subjective.
Mistake 5: Asking for “All Certifications”
More logos do not automatically make the product better.
Specify the market and required certification.
Mistake 6: Changing Thickness After Roll Approval
Changing:
12 μm → 18 μm
can affect more than strength.
It can also change:
- material weight
- roll OD
- bags per roll
- carton weight
- cost
Recheck the roll specification.
Mistake 7: Comparing Quotes With Different Specifications
A lower price is meaningless if one supplier quoted:
12 μm
and another:
18 μm.
Create one RFQ.
Send the same RFQ to every shortlisted supplier.
Then compare.
A Good RFQ Reduces More Than Price Errors
The purpose of a detailed RFQ is not paperwork.
It reduces ambiguity.
A good specification helps procurement, QC and the factory agree on the same finished product before production starts.
For compostable produce bags for supermarkets, I would treat these as one connected system:
bag size + thickness + roll + core + dispenser + printing + certification + packing + volume + delivery term
Do not approve them one at a time without checking how they affect each other.
That is the practical difference between buying “a compostable bag” and building a repeatable supermarket supply program.
FAQ
What information should I provide when requesting a quote for compostable produce bags?
At minimum, provide the bag format, width, length, thickness, bags per roll, core size, roll diameter, printing requirement, certification, packing, quantity, destination and requested Incoterm.
If you are replacing an existing bag, send a current sample or specification sheet.
What thickness should supermarket compostable produce bags use?
There is no single thickness for every project.
For ORIZON projects, 12 μm can be considered for lightweight roll bags, 15 μm is a practical starting point for many standard applications, and 18–20 μm may be considered for heavier loads. Larger or secondary-use bags may require a higher gauge.
The final specification should be tested before mass production.
How many bags should be packed on each produce roll?
Common ORIZON roll configurations are around 200–500 bags per roll, but the right count depends on bag dimensions, thickness, core size, roll OD and dispenser space.
Do not select bags per roll without checking the finished roll diameter.
Why do I need to specify core diameter and roll OD?
These dimensions help determine whether the finished produce roll fits the supermarket dispenser.
Two rolls with the same number of bags may have different outside diameters if their film thickness, bag size or core dimensions differ.
Can compostable produce bags be custom printed?
Yes. Custom produce bag projects can include logos, instructions, identification marks and other printing, subject to the final film and certification requirements. ORIZON’s current OEM produce-roll specifications support custom printing as well as custom roll configuration.
Which compostability certification should I request?
That depends on the destination market and intended claim.
BPI uses ASTM D6400 as its base standard for commercial compostability assessment in North America, while Australia’s ABA operates AS 4736 commercial and AS 5810 home-compostability verification programs.
Confirm the market before writing the RFQ.
What is the MOQ for custom compostable produce bags?
ORIZON’s current MOQ is usually 500 kg per specification. The resulting bag or roll quantity depends on dimensions, thickness and roll format.
Special printing, packing or roll requirements can affect the practical production quantity.
Which Incoterm should I put in the RFQ?
State the requested Incoterm together with the named port or place and the applicable Incoterms® version.
For container shipments, ICC notes that FCA is typically more suitable than FOB, although buyers commonly request several different trade terms depending on their logistics setup.
Ready to Prepare a Produce Bag RFQ?
If you already have an existing supermarket produce roll, send:
- bag sample
- roll sample
- bag dimensions
- thickness
- bags per roll
- core dimensions
- roll OD
- dispenser photo
- printing artwork
- certification requirement
- estimated volume
We can review the specification before preparing the quotation.
View Compostable Produce Bags on a Roll
Explore Compostable Produce Bags Wholesale
B2B and OEM supply only.
