Fabric weight, not just the name
"600D polyester" is a yarn thickness, not a quality grade. We ask for the fabric weight in grams per square metre and the coating, because two 600D fabrics can differ by half in both.
What we can help you buy on 1688
1688 tote bags wholesale
Bags fail in three places — the zip, the strap anchor and the seam under the base — and none of them show in a listing photograph.
They are also one of the easiest categories to brand, which is usually why people are buying them, so the print and the hardware get as much attention as the fabric.
Request a quote for 1688 tote bags wholesale
What we check before you pay
Zip brand and gauge
The zip is the most common failure and the cheapest thing to substitute. We specify the brand and gauge in the order and check it on sampled units rather than accepting "same quality as" a named brand.
Stress points and bar tacks
Strap anchors, handle roots and the base seam are where a bag tears. Whether they are bar-tacked, how many stitches, and whether the webbing is caught in the seam is inspectable and rarely mentioned.
Logo method matched to the fabric
Screen print, heat transfer, embroidery and a woven label behave differently on coated fabric. We match the method to the material and get a pre-production sample of the actual print.
Branded shapes and licensed characters
A bag copying a recognisable designer silhouette or carrying a licensed character is seized at the border. We check before quoting.
Volume, not weight, sets the freight
Bags are light and enormous. Whether they ship flat or stuffed, and how many fit a carton, moves the landed cost more than the unit price does.
How an order runs
- Send a reference A 1688 link, a photograph of a bag you like, or a sketch with the dimensions. Tell us the quantity and whether it is branded.
- Material and hardware specified Fabric weight, lining, zip brand and gauge, and hardware finish written into the order rather than left to the factory.
- Branding sample first For any printed or embroidered bag we get a pre-production sample of the branding on the actual fabric before the run starts.
- Quote and approval Goods, our service fee, branding setup, inspection, consolidation and freight, itemised. Nothing is bought until you approve it.
- Inspection on stress points Sampled bags checked at the strap anchors, base seam and zip, photographed, with measurements against the specification.
- Consolidate and ship Carton count and packing method are agreed up front because they, not the route, decide the freight bill.