black chalkboard background with white text reading types of plastic bags with clear bags on either side

Poly and Plastic Bag Types Explained

There are so many types of poly and plastic bags out there, it may make your head spin. From gusseted bags to lay flat poly bags, anti-static poly bags to postal approved mailer bags... here's a quick reference guide on the types of plastic bags, which are most commonly referred to as poly bags in the world of packaging.

Flat Poly Bags

two clear flat poly bags with a blue sweatshirt inside one and a red plug inside the other

A flat poly bag has 2 dimensions — width & length. Flat polypropylene bags are measured laying flat. A flat bag can be heat sealed, tied, stapled, or taped shut. Flat lay poly bags are FDA approved, making them a great choice for storing food, electronics manufacturing, hospitals, agriculture, and clean room technology. Flat poly bags can be used virtually anywhere.

Flat Poly Bags on a Roll

flat poly bags on a roll on a grey background

A flat poly bag on a continuous roll of seamless tubing perforated under the  bottom seal. Flat bags must be torn off to open. Flat plastic bags have 2 dimensions — width & length. Flat polypropylene bags are measured laying flat. A flat bag can be heat sealed, tied, stapled, or taped shut. Flat lay poly bags are FDA approved, making them a great option for storing food, electronics manufacturing, hospitals, agriculture, and clean room technology. Flat poly bags can be used virtually anywhere.

Reclosable Poly Bags

legos in a reclosable poly bag on a white background

A reclosable poly bag is any bag manufactured with a standard zip track closure or slider zip closure. Also known as Ziplock bags, resealable bags, zip lock plastic bags, or secure bags. Resealable bags have a number of applications ranging from food storage, small parts, manufacturing, electronics, and many others.

Gusseted Bags

metal chain links in a gusseted poly bag standing up on white background

Gusset bags have been made with a tucked in pleat and pressed flat. This allows the bag to expand, providing the it with greater capacity and helping it keep the shape of a box. A gusseted bag can be heat sealed, tied, stapled, or taped shut. Gusseted plastic bags are also known as flat bottom bags. Gusseted poly bags make great ways for storing food, electronics manufacturing, hospitals, agriculture, and clean room technology. Gusseted poly bags can be used virtually anywhere.

Gusseted Bags on a Roll

gusseted bags on a roll on a blue background

Gusseted bags on a roll are a continuous roll of seamless tubing perforated under a bottom seal. These plastic bags must be torn off to open. The gusseted plastic bags style bag has been made with a tucked in pleat and pressed flat, allowing the poly bag to expand, providing the bag with greater capacity. Gusseted poly bags make great ways for storing food, electronics manufacturing, hospitals, agriculture, and clean room technology. Flat poly bags can be used virtually anywhere.

Poly Tubing

two rolls of clear poly tubing on dispenser behind heat sealer

Poly tubing allows you to create a wide variety of sizes of plastic bags. Plastic bag tubing is ideal for odd-shaped items and low inventory space. Simply cut the tubing at the desired length and heat seal the end, insert your product and use heat seal, twist ties, or bag tape to close. Our poly tubing is available in 5 thicknesses, from 1.5 mil to 6 mil, and 30 widths between 1 ½" to 48". Poly tubing meets FDA & USDA requirements for food contact. Poly tubing make a great way for storing food, electronics manufacturing, hospitals, agriculture, and clean room technology. Flat poly bags tubing can be used virtually anywhere.

White Block Markable Bags

white block markable bag labeled wire nuts with small parts inside

White block bags have a white block on them which enables you to label any items inside the bag. These are great for small parts organization. White block poly bags have a number of applications ranging from food storage, small parts, manufacturing, electronics, and many others.

Bag Closing Devices

tach it bag closing device bag tape sealer on white background

Ways to close poly bags start with simple closing devices such as paper covered and vinyl coated wire twist ties, reusable and self locking nylon plastic ties, and self locking adjustable plastic ties.

Mattress Bags

two white mattresses in mattress bags stacked on top of each other

Keeps mattresses clean and dry while in storage or in transit. Mattress covers are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate any size mattress. These mattress poly bags provide see-through protection in attics, basements, garages, and remote storage units. Bag ties are included for a tight seal against moisture, dust, and insects.

Furniture Bags

brown leather chair in clear plastic furniture cover

Made of LLPE polyethylene, all furniture bags come perforated on rolls. They provide superior protection for home furnishings or office decor against the elements, dirt, dust, and debris. This clear-plastic slipcover for a chair or other small to medium pieces of furniture is designed for self-moving and self-storage use. Perfect for seasonal storage or as a drop cloth when painting a room. Protects against soil, dust, and water damage. Dispenses from a roll with an industry standard 3" core and slips on and off furniture easily.

Bin Liners / Pallet Covers

clear plastic bin liner pallet cover on top of stack of wooden pallets

These extra-large plastic bags are made for covering pallets during shipment. They're easy to use and simply slip over the top of the pallet and drop down to cover the entire product. Plastic pallet covers and bin liners are widely used to cover pallets that will be stored inside or outside. Also great for shipping to and from various locations. Pallet covers protects your product(s) from the weather, dust, paint, water, snow, and other types of debris.

Bubble Film and Bags

two bubble film bags holding small picture frame and toy yo-yo

Bubble wrap is a flexible plastic sheeting containing numerous small air pockets, used for cushioning items during shipment. Standard average bubble diameter is between 6.0 – 25.4 mm and the height is usually about 4 mm. Each is lightweight, water resistant, reusable, and non-scratching. Bubble film bags are commonly used for packing fragile items.

Anti-Static Bags

three pink anti-static bags holding electronics on white background

Anti-static bags contains a special anti-static additive that eliminates static electrical charges to protect electronic components. Anti-static plastic bags can be identified by the pink coloration of the plastic material. Common applications include electronics, automotive parts, and any part that requires anti-static materials to ship.

Amine Free Anti-Static Bags

electronic part in reclosable amine free anti-static bag

For static sensitive applications where short static decay times are required, these bags are engineered to meet the static decay rates and surface resistivity of MIL-PRF-81705D Type II Class 1 and EIA-541. Common applications include electronics, automotive parts, and any part that requires anti-static materials to ship. Amine free poly bags are Military Spec Approved for shipments.

Black Conductive Bags

three black conductive bags holding microchips on blue background

Conductive poly bags are constructed of volume conductive material that is made from a 4 mil single layer of carbon loaded polyethylene, creating a Faraday Cage effect with minimal E.M.I. and R.F.I. protection. They feature surface resistivity between 10 to the 3rd power and 10 to the 5th power ohms/sq cm and a volume resistivity of less than 3000 ohms/cm. Each black conductive bag meets military specification requirements of NFPA-56-A, MIL-P-82647 and MIL-P-82646.

Metallic Static Shielding Bags

three microchip boards inside metallic static shielding bag on white background

Metallic static poly bags are manufactured with a transparent layered laminate that provides optimum static shielding with maximum visibility. A static shielding bag's inner layer prevents static from generating inside the bag. The static barrier bag is bonded to a metallized polyester layer which provides static shielding of the contents from external sources. The abrasion resistant exterior helps the bag maintain its static shielding capabilities even under rugged handling and reuse.

Polypropylene Bags

assorted candies inside polypropylene bag on white background

A polypropylene bag is a high clarity, crystal clear bag which enhances the product's image. It provides a highly protective barrier against moisture and vapors. Additionally, they delay evaporation and dehydration to preserve the freshness and taste of packaged foods. Polypropylene bags make a great way to store food, electronics manufacturing, hospitals, agriculture, and clean room technology. Flat polypropylene bags can be used virtually anywhere.

Postal Approved Mail Bags

brochures inside two clear postal approved mail bags on white background

Postal approved bags meet all United States Postal Service requirements for use within the postal system and for use on USPS automated machines. 

Holders

Efficiently dispense your packaging materials with these simple self-tensioning devices. Just pull out the amount needed and cut with a utility knife. Each features heavy-duty metal construction. The black powder-coated finish is durable and attractive. Use these convenient wall dispensers for bubble, foam, corrugated rolls, or wadding.

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IPS Packaging & Automation is a leading provider of packaging supplies, packaging equipment, and packaging solutions. If you would like to know more about everything IPS Packaging & Automation has to offer, please call 800.277.7007 or contact our sales team today.