Digital printing on paper bags for low volume applications

A method of converting low volumes of paper bags on a bag converting machine, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a printed paper roll comprising a plurality of digitally printed orders, wherein all orders of the plurality of digitally printed orders are configured for converting into paper bags having identical dimensions, wherein each order of the plurality comprises a unique printed graphic, and wherein each order includes a format template configured to align the bag converting machine to convert the printed paper roll into paper bags having the dimensions associated with the plurality of digitally printed orders;
• configuring the bag converting machine using the format template on the printed paper roll;
• and
• converting the printed paper roll into a plurality of paper bags.

A method of printing and converting paper bags, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a plurality of orders, each order of the plurality of orders comprising a graphic to be printed and a particular format, wherein the particular format comprises a bag size selected from a predetermined number of bag sizes;
• organizing the plurality of orders into a plurality of batches, wherein each batch of the plurality of batches comprises orders of the plurality of orders having a same bag size;
• fitting the particular format and graphic to be printed of each order to a format template, the format template comprising markings for positioning the graphic on the paper bag and for aligning the first roll of paper in a digital printing press and in a bag converting machine;
• selecting a first batch of the plurality of batches;
• digitally printing the format template and the graphic of the orders contained in the first batch of the plurality of batches on a first roll of paper having dimensions associated with the bag size of the first batch, wherein the first roll of paper moves continuously through the digital printing press and wherein the digital printing press continuously prints the graphic of each order contained in the first batch without stopping when transitioning between orders;
• configuring the bag converting machine using the format template on the printed paper roll;
• and
• converting the printed paper roll into a plurality of paper bags.