What Poly Bags Are?
Poly bags, short for polyethene bags, are versatile plastic packaging bags made from LDPE or HDPE materials. These lightweight plastic bags are commonly used in industries such as retail, e-commerce, and manufacturing due to their durability and cost-effectiveness. Available in various sizes and thicknesses, poly bags protect against moisture, dust, and dirt, making them ideal for storing and shipping products. They can be customized with prints or logos for branding purposes, making them popular for businesses looking to enhance customer experience. Whether used for food, clothing, or industrial items, poly bags offer a flexible, reliable packaging option.
These unique plastic bags have become more popular thanks to the many great benefits they offer. From individual to business uses, polybags are great solutions for many shipping and storing issues. This blog will explain why poly bags are recommended to be used in your daily life and businesses, the types of polythene bags and other aspects such as the environmental aspects and how to choose the right polythene bag for your needs.
Why Use Poly Bags?
Polyplastic bags are great alternatives to cardboard boxes when packaging tiny, soft, and non-fragile things. Using grey mailing poly bags rather than boxes not only results in reduced waste but also minimises the amount of filler required, such as packing peanuts, cardboard spacers, dunnage air bags, or scrap paper.
They are the optimal choice for delivering printed materials such as books, periodicals, and things made of fabric and clothing. Shipping things that have already been packaged in solid boxes, such as DVDs, packaged cosmetics, shoe boxes, or boxed video games, is a breeze when using poly bags as the shipping container.
Other benefits of using polybag bags are:
- Cost-effectiveness: Clear polythene bags the most popular type of polybags are cheap and affordable for many small and medium businesses. With a limited budget, your business can save a lot of money by using sealable bags like those compared to other packaging and storing alternatives.
- Versatility: Not only used as plastic bags for packaging, clear poly bags are great for storing stuff. In addition, thanks to the durable materials, they can be used in many industries and for more purposes. Come in different sizes and types, these self seal bags are more popular than other packaging solutions.
- Durability and protection: With plastic materials, the polly bag is more durable with a water-resistant and dust-proof surface, offering safe protection for your stuff for a long period.
- Lightweight and space-saving: The flat surface design of many small plastic bags makes them more space-saving and light. Unlike card boxes, these plastic seal bags are great for holding small things such as accessories without worrying that your things will get lost or take up too much space.
Types of Poly Bags
There are several types of poly bags, each serving unique purposes. Each type caters to different needs, from retail packaging to industrial storage, ensuring versatility in use. It is important to choose the right type of polythene packaging and size for your needs.
Custom Poly Bags
Some poly bags can be personalised in various ways, including varied colours and printed logos. Polythene mailing bags can keep your goods safe while in transit and are an excellent method to highlight your brand on the packaging. This will help your company stand out from the other companies in your industry.
Many brick-and-mortar merchants and online businesses package their wares in poly bags customised to their exact measurements. Customers get the impression that they are purchasing an item of superior quality and sophistication when shipped in these poly bags. Printed poly bags can be a great way to enhance your business image and leave a strong impression in customers' mind.
It's possible that using custom poly bags will prohibit you from taking advantage of blind drop shipping, but doing so won't hinder you from making a great first impression on new consumers or even helping you establish a base of regular clients.
What exactly is meant by "blind drop shipping"? Orders placed through an online retailer are fulfilled by a third-party wholesaler using the blind drop shipping method. This strategy is working increasingly successfully for many eCommerce businesses. Still, it is essential to consider the method of shipping you plan to use and the packing you plan to use before moving forward. Because the drop shipper is responsible for supplying the packaging materials, using branded packaging or custom polythene mailers is often not an option for drop shipping. However, dropshipping does come with several benefits.
Lay-Flat Poly Bags
The most straightforward style of the poly bag may be purchased as a lay-flat poly bag. They are suited for various products and come in multiple sizes and thicknesses. Polythene bags designed to be laid flat have a single opening that can be sealed using heat, ties, staples, or tape.
When deciding the appropriate dimensions for a lay-flat poly bag, you should consider its width, length, and thickness (gauge). While inches measure width and height, mils are used to measure viscosity. One-thousandth of an inch equals one mil, similar to 25.4 nanometers. The gauges of most flat poly bags range from 1 to 6 mils. As a point of reference, the typical thickness of a credit card is approximately 31 mils. Items that require additional protection, such as steel tools or hardware with sharp ends, are best stored in poly bags with a heavier gauge, better suited to their packaging.
Gusseted Poly Bags
Grey mailing bags with gussets are similar to lay-flat bags but are constructed with a foldable pleat instead of a flat bottom. This makes the bag broader and gives it a square that appears on the bottom. A gusseted poly bag resembles an open-ended plastic box when it is fully opened and stands upright in its upright position.
Grey poly mailers with side gussets are best for packaging objects with atypical measurements. The "dog ears" problem can be avoided using gusseted poly bags instead of standard ones. This squares off the bottom of the packing and wastes less space.
Gusseted poly bags can be purchased in the same variety of widths and lengths as lay-flat poly bags. In addition, gusseted poly bags can be bought either singly or on rolls containing anywhere from 500 to 2,000 individual pieces.
Resealable Poly Bags
Grip seal bags that can be resealed are an example of reusable containers that can be used for packaging or preserving a wide variety of small objects. In addition, these names are also commonly referred to as resealable bags, secure bags, baggies, and other famous trademarked words.
The sealable opening on resealable bags is the most critical aspect since it enables you to reuse the bag unlimited times without compromising its integrity. There are a variety of various designs for sealable tops, ranging from straightforward grip-activated seal tops to more involved and long-lasting zipper closures.
In the same way that ordinary poly bags come in various sizes and shapes, resealable bags can be purchased in flat or gusseted types. Even though resealable poly bags are not sold in rolls, they are affordable. Depending on the necessary size, they may be purchased in quantities ranging from 500 to 3,000 units. Mr Bags offers these self seal poly bags at a competitive price for both businesses and individuals with fast shipping and a wide range of variety.
Environmental Impacts and Sustainability
The environmental impact of poly bags has raised concerns due to plastic waste, but advancements in biodegradable poly bags and recycling initiatives offer sustainable alternatives. While traditional poly bags are made from non-renewable resources, eco-friendly options like bioplastics reduce the carbon footprint and break down faster than regular plastic. Using these types of plastic bags also brings several advantages in different industries. Read more about the advantages of plastic bags for more information.
Many poly bags are also recyclable, contributing to a circular economy when properly disposed of. For businesses and consumers aiming to reduce their environmental impact, choosing recyclable or biodegradable poly bags is a practical step toward sustainability without sacrificing packaging quality. In purchasing the right poly bags, you need to consider the materials and the brand's commitment to make these bags easier to dispose of and recycle. For example, using more strong resealable plastic bags can allow you to use them again and again, making them more eco-friendly and sustainable.
Comparison with Other Packaging Solutions
Poly bags offer unique advantages over other packaging materials, such as boxes and paper bags. They are lighter and more flexible, making them ideal for packaging lightweight or irregularly shaped items. This section will tell you why you should choose Poly Bags UK over other alternatives for more benefits.
PolyBags Vs Paper Bags
Poly bags and paper bags have distinct advantages.
- Weight and Materials: Poly bags are more lightweight, water-resistant, and durable while paper bags are often more fragile yet are more eco-friendly and biodegradable.
- Protection: While poly bags offer better protection against moisture and water, paper bags are more
- Cost: Poly bags or plastic bags are more inexpensive than paper bags when purchased in bulk.
The choice between the two depends on the type of products being packaged, environmental considerations, and the desired customer experience. Plastic resealable bags are ideal for e-commerce and shipping fragile items while paper bags can offer a more stylish look and are great for branding in retail environments. Poly mailer bags are also popular for sending things through mail and post. If you are running a small business with a limited budget, buying self seal plastic bags with recyclable ability will be the ideal plan.
PolyBags Vs Cardboard Boxes
When comparing poly bags and cardboard boxes, there are also different aspects that we need to consider.
- Weight and materials: Poly bags are generally more lightweight, and flexible, come in different sizes and take less space when used.
- Usage: Poly bags for packaging offer superior protection against moisture, making them ideal for items like clothing or food meanwhile cardboard boxes provide sturdiness and can protect fragile items better during shipping.
- Cost: Poly Bags are cheaper compared to card boxes due to a lower cost of production and may save on shipping costs.
Again, the choice of choosing which way to pack your product depends a lot on the type of products and needs. If you plan to move your house with chunky and fragile items, using large cardboard boxes can be a great choice. However, for lightweight or non-breakable products, poly bags often prove to be the more efficient choice regarding cost and weight.
Buying Guides for Polybags
When purchasing poly bags, consider factors such as size, thickness, material type, and closure options. Bags come in varying sizes to accommodate different product dimensions. Mr Bags with experience in the industry can help you choose the right polybag packaging for your needs.
How to Choose The Right Polybags
To choose the right poly bag, assess your product’s size, weight, and protection needs. By evaluating these factors, you’ll ensure your poly bag choice meets both your business and customer requirements or your individual needs. The factors that need to be considered are:
- Type of Products or Items
- Intended Usage of Plastic Bags
- Materials of Polythene Bags
- Environmental Impacts
- Supplier of Poly Bags
Where to Buy Poly Bags
Poly bags can be purchased from a variety of sources, including packaging suppliers, online marketplaces, and wholesale distributors. As a trusted supplier in the industry, Mr Bags offers a wide range of polythene bags UK in different sizes and colours/designs. Whether you're a small business or an individual buyer, Mr. Bags provides competitive pricing with wholesale prices, and customized bag solutions to match your specific requirements.
We also offer other sustainable alternatives with paper bags with different designs, catered to your needs in daily activities or for special occasions such as a gift bag. Our easy-to-navigate online store ensures quick, hassle-free shopping with fast shipping and excellent customer support. Choose Mr. Bags for reliable, durable sealed plastic bags that protect your products and enhance your brand.
Conclusions
Poly bags are an essential packaging solution due to their versatility, durability, and cost-efficiency. With various types available, they cater to industries as diverse as retail, e-commerce, and food. While environmental concerns persist, sustainable alternatives such as recyclable and eco-friendly sealed bags are available. Comparing poly bags with other materials like paper bags and cardboard boxes highlights their space-saving and moisture-resistant advantages. By selecting the right poly bag and sourcing from reliable suppliers, businesses can enhance product protection while supporting sustainability efforts.
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