Printed poly bag
1.5 to 2 mil poly film500 minimum · 8 to 10 business daysA printed poly bag is a flat or gusseted plastic bag for folded apparel, small retail goods or promotional inserts, printed with your logo on the outer face. We run it in 1.5 to 2 mil film from 500 units, self-seal or resealable zip closure, ready in about 8 to 10 business days after proof.
When to choose it, and when not to
Choose a printed poly bag for folded apparel, small accessories or anything that needs a clear or branded outer layer at a lower cost than a paper bag, especially for high-volume, price-sensitive runs.
Choose a compostable mailer or a kraft paper bag instead if the brand's positioning depends on a plastic-free look and feel, since poly film reads differently on shelf and in unboxing even at the same price point.
Specifications
| Film | 1.5 to 2 mil LDPE, clear or frosted |
|---|---|
| Closure | Self-seal adhesive strip or resealable zip |
| Up to 4 color flexo on the outer face | |
| Gusset | Flat or side-gusseted for bulkier items |
| Recycled content | Recycled-content film available on request; documentation supplied with the quote |
| Warning | Suffocation warning printed on applicable sizes, included at no charge |
| Minimum | 500 units |
| Lead time | 8 to 10 business days after proof |
| Prototype | On request; timing confirmed in your quote |
| Sizes we run | 6 x 9 in 9 x 12 in 12 x 15 in custom size to fold your product |
Questions people ask
Do the bags need a suffocation warning?
Plan on it. Warning requirements for thin plastic bags vary by state and by retailer, so we print a standard suffocation warning on every applicable size at no extra charge and with no design work from you. Confirm the exact wording you need with your compliance adviser. This is packaging guidance, not legal advice.
What's the difference between self-seal and resealable zip?
Self-seal is a one-time adhesive strip, cheaper and standard for outbound retail packaging. A resealable zip costs more per unit but lets the customer reuse the bag, so it's more common for accessories or anything meant to be reopened.
Can the bag be fully recycled?
Standard LDPE poly is recyclable through store drop-off programs (the ones that also take retail shopping bags), not typically through curbside residential recycling. That's worth noting on your own packaging claims.
How clear does the film need to be for product visibility?
Standard clear film is optically clear enough to show garment color and pattern through the bag. Frosted film is available if you want a branded, translucent look instead of full product visibility.
What's the minimum bag size you can produce?
3 x 4 inches is our smallest standard poly bag, sized for small accessories or single-item promotional inserts.
Do you offer a fully compostable poly alternative?
Not in the same flat poly-bag format at this minimum; our compostable mailer uses a compostable film, but as a shipping mailer, not a flat retail poly bag.
How is a printed poly bag different from a poly mailer?
The poly bag is an inner or retail bag: 1.5 to 2 mil LDPE, clear or frosted so the product shows, with a self-seal strip or a resealable zip, flat or gusseted. It protects a folded garment inside a shipper or on a shelf. A poly mailer is the outer shipping bag, opaque 2.5 or 3 mil film with a permanent seal and an optional returns strip, built to go through a carrier alone. The poly bag starts at 500 units in 8 to 10 business days after proof; the mailer at 200 units in 10 to 12 business days. If the bag is the parcel, choose the mailer.
Similar styles
Read next
Ready to price your printed poly bag?
Send the size and quantity for a quote and a dieline, usually within one business day. Your digital proof follows, usually within one business day of your artwork. Design help and the Swatch Book of materials are free.