Custom Poly Bags for Garments and Parts

Film Thickness and Clarity

Poly bags are made in different film thicknesses, measured in microns. A thin film is fine for a light t-shirt that will go straight into a mailer. A thicker film resists punctures from sharp corners, such as metal brackets, screws or the edges of a boxed accessory, and stands up better to rough handling in a busy warehouse.

Clear film lets anyone see the product and its barcode label without opening the bag. Frosted film softens the look of a garment and hides minor creases while still showing the colour. White or black opaque film keeps the contents private, which suits underwear, swimwear and products that are sent by post. Tell us what goes in the bag and how it is handled, and we will recommend a sensible thickness. Our materials and film options page lists the film thicknesses we stock.

Printing on Poly Bags

Plain bags suit internal use, but printing adds information and branding. Clothing brands often print a logo and a short message on the front. Manufacturers print part numbers, assembly instructions or a contents list so warehouse teams and customers know what is inside without opening the bag. Print is usually in one or two colours, which keeps it sharp on the film and cost-effective in volume.

Bags of a certain size need a suffocation warning, which tells parents to keep the bag away from babies and young children. We can print this in a clear position on every bag, along with any instructions you need, such as which way up to store the contents. Upload the logo or part list through the free proof request and we will place it with the warning text.

Getting the Size Right for Garments and Parts

For garments, fold the item the way it will be packed and measure the folded size, then add around 30 to 40 mm to the width and 50 mm to the length to allow for easy filling and the seal flap. Folded t-shirts, shirts and knitwear each need slightly different bags, and a bag that is far too large looks sloppy and wastes film.

For parts, measure the largest item or the bundle, and allow extra for sharp edges that might push into the film. If you pack many different kits, a small range of standard bag sizes usually works better than a different bag for each product. Send us your item list and we will suggest a size plan. The measuring guide for packaging covers folded garments and bundled parts.

Packing Tips That Save Time and Film

In a busy warehouse, the speed of bagging adds up. Self-seal flaps are quickest for mixed orders packed by hand, because the packer can drop the item in, peel and press in one movement. For long runs of the same product, open-top bags sealed on a bench heat sealer are faster still and use slightly less film per bag. Bags on a roll suit packing benches where the operator tears off one bag at a time without reaching into a box.

Store bags flat and out of direct sunlight, as film left on a sunny windowsill can turn brittle. Keep the counted bundles in their cartons until needed, and label the cartons with the size so the wrong bag is never grabbed in a hurry. If static makes thin bags cling together on dry days, a light shake before packing separates them.

Finally, check that the bag suits the next layer of packaging. A garment bag that is too long will crumple inside a mailer, and a parts bag that is too wide may not slide into the carton slot it was meant for. Measure the outer packaging as well as the product. Online shops that post the bag itself move to tear strip poly mailers for the outer layer.

Send Your Item List, Not a Bag Size

Poly bags are cheapest when a handful of sizes covers everything, so rather than guessing a size per product, send us the list of items you bag with their folded or bundled measurements. We group them into two or three standard sizes. For garments, fold one as it will ship and add 30 to 40 mm to the width and 50 mm to the length; for parts, measure the bundle and mention any sharp edges so the film thickness is chosen to resist them.

Choose self-seal for hand-packed orders, open-top for a heat sealer, or rolls for a bench, and say if a suffocation warning or part numbers are printed. A custom quote comes back by email within one working day, with prices from £0.25 and minimums quoted per job. If printing, the free proof shows the artwork and warning on the bag. Production takes 4–7 working days after approval and tracked delivery to UK mainland addresses is free, taking 2–3 working days. Misprinted or damaged bags reported within 10 days are reprinted or refunded. Bags that must double as the postal wrapper are made as poly mailer bags with a peel seal.