Choosing the right poly bag size for your business is important. Your bags must be large enough to fit your product and offer viable protection against dirt, debris, and moisture – but you also don’t want to use a poly bag that has more material than you need, or you risk generating unnecessary waste and extra costs. 

So, how do you know what size poly bag you need? We’re here to help. 

To find what size poly bag you need, follow these four steps:

1. Measure your product
2. Determine your necessary poly bag measurements
3. Choose the correct type of poly bag
4. Confirm poly bag sizes with the proof 

Note: Any time you find that you need a bag sample, we’d be happy to help. Order a sample bag from A-Pac Manufacturing and talk to our team to make sure you’re getting exactly what you need. 

Let’s break these steps down further so you can figure out exactly what size poly bag you need for your product.

Follow These 4 Steps to Find the Right Poly Bag Sizes

1. Measure Your Product

For packaging purposes, you’ll need to measure your product or bag contents to find the correct poly bag size. You can find your product’s dimensions by taking measurements of your product’s length, width, and depth.

The shape of your product will also determine the type and style of bag you need. For example, if your product is flat and two-dimensional, a simple flat poly bag will best serve your needs and come in standard measurements. However, if your product is three-dimensional or a nonstandard shape, you’ll need a poly bag that can fit around it and cover all parts of the product. To find the minimum size bag you need for oddly shaped items, measure the space the product will take up in the bag from the widest points.

If you’re looking for a poly bag to fit in your product, such as a drum liner, these measurements will differ from the container’s length, width, and depth. Drum liners are measured in gallons. However, length and width calculations can easily be converted to express capacity in gallons using a bag guide to determine poly bag sizes.

2. Determine Your Necessary Poly Bag Measurements

When taking measurements of a poly bag, account for the space your product will take up. To adequately fit your product, the bag’s dimensions must be greater than what you want it to enclose. What size poly bag you’ll need will be the one that fits your product comfortably and will be easy to handle for packaging and shipping.

It’s also essential to consider the bag’s fit around your product. Add a few inches to the dimensions if you want the bag to fit loosely. A loose fit will ensure the product fits in any direction or arrangement in the packaging. Too tight of a fit could stretch or tear the poly bag, which could be a concern if your product has blunt or sharp edges.

3. Choose the Correct Type of Poly Bag

Poly bags come in various sizes and constructions and have designated uses, so it’s important to understand that different poly bags will require other measurements and ordering procedures. Here are a few examples of common types of poly bags:

• Flat Poly Bags: Standard flat poly bags are available in a wide range of poly bag sizes with straightforward measurements — just length and width.
• Gusseted Poly Bags: The sides of this bag type can expand to allow for a more fitted shape. For gusseted bags, in addition to length and width, be sure to also measure the desired depth when at full capacity.
• Bags on a Roll: Flat poly bags are often sold on a roll of uniform bags attached with perforated edges end-to-end. For each roll, the total roll length is the combined lengths of the bags. The width of the bags will be the same as the roll. 

Also, some bags have extra material at the top for handles, sealing options, etc. This part of the bag is not included in the overall measurement. The dimensions for your bag will cover the size of the bag pouch up until the bottom of these features. Keep this in mind when measuring what size poly bag you need, and also that your poly bags will take up more space than just the basic pocket size.

4. Confirm Poly Bag Sizes With the Poly Bag Proof

When ordering your poly bags, it’s always wise to talk with your supplier about what size poly bag they think will best meet your needs. During the poly bag ordering process, your supplier should develop a poly bag proof — a sample of your bag that meets your exact specifications and design requirements. You can use this proof to confirm that your product will fit comfortably inside the bag to ensure you have the correct size before production begins.

Talk to an Expert at A-Pac Manufacturing for Help Determining Poly Bag Sizes

Do you need help determining what size poly bag you need? Contact us today at A-Pac Manufacturing. We’re happy to help you choose the best-sized bag for your product. Also, be sure to check out our free guide for How to choose the right poly bags for your company.

Good purchasing managers and buying agents are always looking for ways to save money for their companies. When trying to cut costs and expand profits, you could trim the fat wherever possible by soliciting quotes from various suppliers and choosing the lowest offer — but this way of doing business won’t set you up for long term success. A truly cost-effective decision won’t be solely a numbers game. Your economic choice of poly bag supplier will involve more factors than just price.

Save Money with a Reputable Poly Bag Supplier

Saving money is about more than cutting costs — it’s about finding the best value for your investment. When you consider the potential value of a decision, you can establish long term savings for your company. If you choose to work with a reputable poly bag supplier, you enjoy serious savings — to not only improve your company’s bottom line, but also to earn better quality products, enjoy reliable customer service, and see consistent results that will sustain your company’s future.

Better Quality Products

A reputable poly bag supplier will always strive to produce the best poly bags for their customers. That means working closely with you to determine the appropriate dimensions, strength, blends, and additives for your application, and then creating bags that meet those exact specifications. If your poly bag supplier isn’t able or willing to do that, even the lowest price won’t make up for a sub-par product. You’ll end up spending more to get what you need, rather than have the job done right the first time.

Efficient Delivery

The right supplier will always plan their production schedules around your needs — so you get the bags you need when you need them. This means having a clear understanding of the work order, intelligently scheduling the planned jobs, and leaving enough room for final quality checks before shipping your product with efficient, trustworthy movers to get your order to you on time.

Above and Beyond Service

Excellent customer service is the most understated quality of a reputable poly bag supplier. When it comes to clear and effective communication, working with a supplier that values genuine, responsive service is priceless. Before committing to any new poly bag supplier, give them a call. If they don’t return your call within an acceptable window or make an effort to reach out, it could be an indicator that communicating with you is not a priority.

A reputable poly bag supplier knows that customer service is the key to success, and will go above and beyond to make sure they are easy to reach and that you feel taken care of — whether you’re a paying customer or not.

Competitive Prices

Finally, let’s talk about price. It’s tempting to narrow your search to the supplier with the absolute lowest pricing, but we recommend against it. Often, suppliers who have rock-bottom pricing aren’t as motivated to provide you with the best quality product or service, and they might be liable to cut corners in other areas to make up the difference.

When looking for a valuable poly bag supplier, the price for their service should be a fair reflection of what they offer, especially when you consider the total value you’ll receive — customized bags made from high-quality resin, unmatched reliability, and customer service that goes above and beyond to deliver a top quality order. When you work with a great poly bag supplier, you should feel you are receiving a great service at a great price.

Why it Pays to Work with a Reliable Poly Bag Supplier

When you work with the right poly bag supplier, something amazing happens: you start saving money. You receive better quality products that hold up longer than competitors’. You receive excellent service and trust that your order will arrive as agreed and on time. You can feel confident that you’ll receive the best value of work for your investment.

You’ll save money by avoiding costly mistakes from low-quality products. You won’t have to hunt down missed or delayed orders. Instead, you’ll get reliable products every time you order, and have a relationship with a supplier you trust to work hard to keep you as a client.

Saving money on poly bags is possible when you seek more than just the lowest price. If you’re ready to enjoy some serious savings, then look for a poly bag supplier that’s more than just their offer on paper. Look for a supplier that will offer your company true value.

If you’d like to see what kind of value we can offer you as your poly bag supplier, please give us a call at (800) 272-2634, or reach out online to request a quote. We look forward to serving you.

Due to their versatile nature, poly bags can be used for a wide range of applications. They’re made to achieve the utmost versatility by stretching sheets of film to the desired length, then cutting and sealing the plastic to form a pouch.

The two most common poly bag types are polyethylene and polypropylene. Of the two, polyethylene is the most popular choice because of its versatility, and polypropylene is highly valued for its clarity and tensile strength. But how do you know which option is best for you?

The 5 Different Types of Poly Bags

Let’s take a look at the 5 common poly bag types made from polyethylene and polypropylene so you can decide which is best for your application.

Polyethylene Poly Bag Types

Polyethylene is the result of the polymerization of ethylene gas. This process creates long, straight chains of hydrocarbons. From the main strand, branches can form in different directions. The amount of branching determines the type of polyethylene. When very few branches form, the polyethylene is more dense. Conversely, when more branching occurs, the molecules have more space, so we end up with less dense polyethylene.

A few common varieties of polyethylene that can be used to make excellent quality poly bags include: 

• High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
• Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
• Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)
• Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE) 

HDPE Poly Bags

High-density polyethylene, or HDPE, is formed when minimal branching from the main strand occurs during polymerization. The result is a tightly packed structure of molecules and a more dense, less flexible material. The advantages of HDPE are that it is very resistant to punctures and tears and can be used to package heavy items safely and effectively. 

HDPE poly bags are often used to contain bulk items like construction materials such as cement and sand, but can also be food-safe for items like dry bulk goods such as rice or other grains. HDPE poly bags are also useful for packaging irregularly shaped products, especially those with pointed or sharp edges.

LDPE Poly Bags

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a type of polyethylene characterized by the branching that occurs during polymerization to create more space in the molecular structure. This process results in a less dense material. For this reason, LDPE poly bags are much more flexible and make it easy to see what’s inside. 

LDPE poly bags are also easier to tear than other poly bag types. While easy access is an advantage for some applications, sensitive products or bulky items might be better protected with a more dense plastic.

LDPE poly bags are great for lightweight items requiring good visibility and ease of access, like small parts, food items, and pallet covers. They are also commonly used for temporary storage, like grocery bags and shopping totes.

LLDPE Poly Bags

LLDPE, or linear low-density polyethylene, is similar to LDPE in that the polymerization process involves a high level of branching. However, the branches that form from the main polymer chain are short and parallel, allowing them to move in tandem with one another and not become tangled. The result is a poly bag type with higher tensile strength and puncture resistance than LDPE without sacrificing flexibility.

LLDPE is commonly used to make poly bags for produce in grocery stores, as the thinner gauge potential can save material costs while providing adequate strength with quality sealing options. LLDPE poly bags are less transparent than LDPE poly bags, so they are more useful in applications where strict clarity isn’t a priority.

MDPE Poly Bags

Medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) is created when the main strand of hydrocarbons has fewer branching strands than low-density polyethylene, but more than high-density polyethylene. 

Similarly, MDPE falls between these two types in terms of resistance and strength. MDPE poly bags aren’t as dense as HDPE, but they are just as heavy-duty. This type of poly bag is also less susceptible to stress cracking and has impressive shock-resisting properties. MDPE poly bags are often used for packaging because they offer an excellent protective layer against moisture, debris, and external damage. 

Polypropylene Poly Bags

Polypropylene (PP) is a common poly bag material that belongs to its own category. Although it’s also in the family of polyolefins, polypropylene is made from the polymerization of olefin propylene. It is second to polyethylene as one of the most-used poly bag types, and it is growing in popularity due to its valuable applications in packaging. 

Characterized by its crystal-clear appearance and high tensile strength, polypropylene offers more heat and chemical resistance than polyethylene. Its edges can be sharp, so it’s best used in applications where it can’t scratch the product or contents.

Polypropylene bags find frequent application in sectors such as food packaging, electronics manufacturing, and healthcare facilities, where their primary purpose is to safeguard the contents from potential contaminants. PP poly bags protect against moisture, vapors, and debris. Combined with a higher heat resistance than LDPE, Polypropylene poly bags are beneficial for applications with outdoor exposure. Also, their high clarity makes them perfect for packaging where visibility of the contents is paramount.

Find the Ideal Type of Poly Bags for Any Application with A-Pac

Polyethylene and polypropylene are the two most popular poly bag types, and they offer a wide range of uses. Knowing the differences between them and the advantages they offer can help you decide which poly bag is the best fit for your needs. For more help choosing the right poly bag, contact the team at A-Pac directly.

Whether you’re looking for HDPE, LDPE, or anything in between, A-Pac Manufacturing can help. We offer custom poly bags with no order minimums, so no matter what type of poly bag you need, we can manufacture and ship in as little as 2-3 weeks.

Contact our team and request a quote for your poly bags today!