The short answer for buyers
For most retail and private-label programs, 18um is a practical starting point. It gives a stronger feel than thin commodity bags while keeping carton cost and freight weight under control
Choose 20um when your brand sells on premium texture, boutique packaging, gift bundles, or high-review Amazon listings. The price difference usually feels larger to the factory than it looks on the final retail shelf
What buyers feel in the sample
A 20um bag feels more substantial when a buyer opens the roll and pulls the first bag apart. It can reduce the cheap thin feeling that hurts eco products in premium stores
An 18um bag still works well for many channels, especially when the film formula, sealing, perforation, and roll winding are controlled
- 15um suits budget packs, public areas, and high-volume refill formats
- 18um suits mainstream retail, ecommerce bundles, and trial orders
- 20um suits premium retail, boutique shelves, and stronger private-label positioning
How the price difference shows up
Thickness affects material usage, carton weight, and shipping weight, so it changes the landed cost. The right question is whether the added feel helps your shelf price, review score, or repeat purchase enough to justify it
Ask suppliers to quote the same bag size, same roll count, same carton quantity, and same packaging style at both thicknesses. That makes the comparison clean
Match thickness to the sales channel
A pet boutique can explain a premium bag by feel, packaging, and certification support. A discount channel usually needs sharper landed cost, Amazon sits between both worlds because review quality and price both matter
For private label, order a sample set with at least two thicknesses, Let your team compare opening feel, tear-off quality, seal strength, and customer-facing pack size before choosing
What to request in a quote
Ask for bag size, film thickness, roll count, carton quantity, material description, certification file availability, shelf-life guidance, and sample photos of the retail pack
BioPawPet can prepare 18um and 20um compostable bag samples so buyers can compare hand feel before locking packaging artwork
Start with samples first, then decide whether 20um gives your channel enough extra value