Jute Bag Manufacturer in India: A Complete Buyer's Guide
We make jute, cotton and juco bags in Howrah and Kolkata. About 85% of our business is export, mostly to importers and to the people who buy stock for promotional product companies overseas. The rest goes to small wholesale buyers and brand owners in India.
This guide is what we tell those buyers before their first order. It covers which material to pick, which certificates matter, how we check quality, and what you should check yourself when the goods arrive.
Why most jute bags come from Kolkata and Howrah
India is the world’s largest producer of jute, and most of the country’s jute bag making sits around Kolkata and Howrah in West Bengal. The first mechanised jute mill in this region opened in 1855, and the area has been the centre of the trade for more than 170 years since. What that left behind is a base of mills and skilled workers that is hard to build somewhere new.
Our head office is in Howrah and our manufacturing unit is in Kolkata. If you want the longer story, read why Kolkata and Howrah still lead jute bag manufacturing.
Jute, Cotton, or Juco
We usually suggest jute to first time buyers who want a premium look. Jute is stiffer than cotton, so the bag holds its shape and looks more expensive. It is also fully biodegradable.
If you are buying a large quantity and want the lowest cost, we point buyers to a cotton bag with long handles, 38 cm by 42 cm. It is the cheapest bag we make, and the one we make and sell the most of. Cotton also has the smoothest surface, so it suits detailed printing.
Juco is a blend of jute and cotton. It keeps some of the strength of jute and takes print better, at a more accessible price.
What we make ourselves and what we buy in
We do not weave fabric. We buy raw jute fabric and cotton fabric from mills, and dyeing is done by outside partners. After that, the rest of the work happens in our own unit, including stitching, printing and quality checks.
Jute fabric begins as fibre from the stem of the jute plant. After harvest the stems are soaked, the fibre is stripped out, spun into yarn and woven at the mill. The quality of that fabric sets the ceiling for the finished bag, which is why we check it when it arrives.
It is worth asking any supplier which steps they do themselves. A trading company passes your order on to someone else. A manufacturer can tell you what happens on its own floor, and will let you visit to see it. We welcome factory visits.
Certifications and what each one tells you
We hold ISO 9001:2015, a SEDEX audit, OEKO-TEX, GOTS and GRS. Buyers ask us about OEKO-TEX more than any other.
ISO 9001:2015 is about how a company manages quality. SEDEX with a SMETA audit looks at how a factory treats its workers, and our audit covers all four pillars, which are labour standards, health and safety, environment and business ethics. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests the finished product for harmful substances. GOTS is a standard for organic textiles, and GRS is a standard for recycled content.
A logo on a website proves nothing. Ask for the certificate, check that it is in the supplier’s own name, and check it with the issuing body. We have a separate guide for each of these: SEDEX and SMETA audits, OEKO-TEX and GOTS.
How we check quality
When fabric arrives from the mill we check it against what was ordered. If it matches, production goes ahead. Every finished bag is then checked by hand, one by one, following strict instructions from our QC manager.
If you want an independent check, you can bring in a third party inspector before the goods leave us.
One thing to check on every order
Make sure the material you receive is the material you ordered. This is where some suppliers cut corners. The bags look right, but the fabric is lighter than the sample, or the blend is different, or the weave is thinner.
Write the material, the composition and the fabric weight into your order. Compare the bulk goods against the sample you approved. For larger orders, ask for a third party inspection before shipping.
MOQ, samples and lead times
Our export orders start at 1,000 pieces per design, with a minimum total order of 5,000 pieces. For domestic buyers it is 500 pieces per design and 1,000 pieces in total. Samples take 7 to 10 days and production takes 30 to 60 days. We ship on FOB, CIF, DAP and DDP terms.
Price depends on the material, the size, the fabric weight and the branding. To get an accurate quote, send us the bag style, size, material, branding and quantity. The full breakdown is in our guide to bulk and wholesale jute bag orders.
Private label and custom branding
Most of our buyers put their own branding on the bag, and a private label is possible. The usual methods are screen printing, embroidery and digital printing. Ask any supplier which of these they do on their own machines.
If you want ideas for how buyers use branded bags, from retail checkout to corporate gifts, read 7 ways businesses use jute bags.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are most jute bag manufacturers in India?
Most are around Kolkata and Howrah in West Bengal, where the country's jute industry has been based since the first mechanised mill in this region opened in 1855.
Which is better, jute, cotton or juco?
It depends on the look you want and your budget. Jute looks premium and holds its shape. Cotton prints best, and a plain cotton bag is usually our lowest cost option for large runs. Juco sits in between.
Which certifications should I ask a manufacturer for?
Ask for ISO 9001:2015 for quality management, SEDEX with a SMETA audit for ethical labour practice, OEKO-TEX for chemical safety, GOTS for organic textiles and GRS for recycled content. Ask for the certificate itself, not just the logo.
How can I tell a manufacturer from a trader?
Ask which steps they do themselves, ask for certificates in their own name, and ask to visit. We buy fabric from mills and have dyeing done outside, and we do the rest in our own unit. We welcome factory visits.
What are your minimum order quantities?
For export, 1,000 pieces per design with a minimum order of 5,000 pieces. For domestic orders, 500 pieces per design with a minimum order of 1,000 pieces.
Can I get samples before a bulk order?
Yes. Samples take 7 to 10 days.
Can I ask for a third-party inspection?
Yes. You can arrange an independent inspection before the goods leave us.
Talk to us
Bags of Bengal is a jute, cotton and juco bag manufacturer with its head office in Howrah and its manufacturing unit in Kolkata. We are members of JPDEPC and EPCH. For more on MOQ, lead times and ordering for export or domestic buyers, see our FAQ page, or get in touch through the website for a quote.