The Different Styles of Poly Bags

Poly bags and sheeting offer a versatile and adaptable solution for storing and protecting products from food to clothing and furniture.

Whether you’re packaging goods for display or to keep together for storage or shipping, poly bags work as an efficient organization solution, from separating to color-coding and labeling items. Sheeting allows this material to be applied on a larger scale, ideally to keep dust off furniture, pallets, equipment or other larger objects while in storage.

With these overarching goals in mind, poly bags are sold by use, format and mil thickness. Thinner mil amounts are ideal for smaller, lightweight products, while thicker material better holds up to larger, heavier and pointed objects.

As you think about incorporating poly bags into your packaging, selling or display solution, learn more about the types available:

Poly Bags by Material

“Poly” stands for either polyethylene — the most common option available — or polypropylene, preferred for storing and displaying foods and offering a greater degree of strength.

Based on what you plan to pack, poly bags use the following types of materials:

·         High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a thicker, more puncture-resistant material that’s ideal for larger and heavier items, as well as packaging bulk goods, from rice or animal feed to cement or fertilizer.

·         Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) results in a lighter-weight, more flexible material that offers a degree of transparency. LDPE poly bags and sheeting are easier to tear and tend to be ideal for use as a lightweight cover, holding food or organizing smaller parts.

·         Medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) lives up to its name, offering a heavier-duty material than LDPE with greater flexibility, crack and moisture resistance compared to HDPE.

·         Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) is typically used for protecting produce and other food items, due to greater tensile strength and puncture resistance accompanied by a lower weight and flexibility. These poly bags offer a medium degree of translucency.

·         Polypropylene offers the greatest level of clarity and sufficient durability and chemical resistance. With food, polypropylene bags not only protect contents, but they additionally help seal in and block out moisture. As well, polypropylene bags and sheeting tend to be used with electronics and medical supplies to shield against dust and other contaminants.

Poly Bags by Design

Standard designs for poly bags include:

·         Flat poly bags: These lay perfectly flat, and dimensions reflect this. These bags can store a number of items securely and be sealed in a number of fashions, from tape or tying to heat.

·         Gusseted poly bags: This poly bag offers a flat bottom and body that partially expands thanks to a pleated design. This combination offers all the benefits of a flat bag with a form that can be arranged for presentation.

·         On a roll: Both flat and gusseted bags can be packaged in this format. Perforations let you tear off each bag to open, fill and seal.

·         Reclosable and Resealable: These two bags fulfill similar roles. However, a reclosable bags come with a built-in closure and can be reused multiple times, while resealable bags include a strip that peels off and a lip that folds down.

·         White block poly bags: Ideal for adding identification or a label, these poly bags feature white rectangular areas on the exterior for writing item information.

·         Flap bags: These bags featuring a fold-down flap tend to be used for apparel, as they protect all goods contained from moisture and close without tape.

·         Poly tubing: These poly bags offer a more compact design that allows for a greater degree of customization.

·         Poly sheeting and covers: Typically in a roll format, these can be applied to furniture, equipment, pallets and other items to protect against dust, moisture and spills in transit or storage.

Be the Purchasing HERO™ your team needs. Explore all poly bags and sheeting available at Packaging HERO® now to upgrade product storage, presentation, organization and shipping. Start an account today to order supplies at any time!