A Small Workshop, Big Ambition
In the summer of 2015, we started Elkpromogift with a single flexo printing machine and a small team in Bao'an, Shenzhen. The first clients were domestic trading companies looking for custom kraft paper bags.
What We Learned First
Dieline Accuracy
The most common defect in early production was inaccurate dielines. A 2mm error could mean the bag wouldn't fold correctly. We invested in ArtiosCAD training and digital cutting dies.
Paper Sourcing
Not all kraft paper is the same. We tested 12 suppliers before locking in two core sources with consistent GSM and color stability.
Moisture Control
Shenzhen's humidity warps paper. Our first quality lesson: store paper in climate-controlled rooms at 45-55% RH before converting.
Looking Back
Year one was about learning. We shipped roughly 200,000 bags and served 30+ clients. The foundation we built in dielines, material sourcing, and moisture control still guides every order today.
