Poly Bags & Polyethylene Packaging — Flat, Zip, Gusseted, Specialty & Tubing
Poly bags provide low-cost, lightweight, and customizable packaging for shipping, retail, food service, parts storage, and industrial applications. Flat bags from 1 mil, reclosable zipper bags, gusseted bulk bags, and specialty films — over 2,400 sizes in stock.
Poly bags are the workhorse of product packaging, parts storage, food service, and shipping. Their combination of low cost, light weight, barrier properties, and customizability make them indispensable throughout supply chains.
Flat poly bags from 1 mil to 6 mil are the starting point for most needs. Use thinner gauges (1–2 mil) for retail bagging and light protection. 3 mil is the sweet spot for general purpose shipping and parts kitting. 4–6 mil are preferred where tear resistance and puncture protection matter.
Reclosable (zipper) bags dramatically improve reuse, organization, and retail presentation. We stock hung and non-hung, write-on panels, heavy duty, and colored variants. The heavy duty zippers stay closed through rough handling.
Gusseted bags add volume capability for bulky or odd-shaped items. Food-grade versions meet FDA requirements allowing direct product contact for produce, baked goods, and ingredients.
Special purpose films solve unique challenges: pink anti-static for PCB handling, VCI (vapor corrosion inhibitor) for metals that rust, clear conductive and shielding bags for extremely sensitive components.
Bulk packaging users buy by the case or pallet load at significant savings. Poly tubing on rolls lets you create custom lengths on the fly — perfect for varying product lengths and void fill applications.
Why Businesses Choose Our Poly Bags
- ✓ Over 2,400 active poly bag SKUs from light 1 mil to heavy 6 mil
- ✓ FDA grade, anti-static, VCI corrosion protection, and colored specialty films ready to ship
- ✓ Poly tubing in multiple widths for the ultimate in made-to-length customization
- ✓ Case/pallet pricing plus free freight on select high-volume poly orders
- ✓ Clear bags for instant product visibility — no need to open or label for identification
Poly Bags — Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Material | LDPE (low-density polyethylene) for general-use; HDPE for high-tensile applications; co-extruded films for specialty |
| Thickness (Gauge) | 1 mil (light retail) to 6 mil (heavy industrial); 1.5–3 mil most common for shipping |
| Available Styles | Flat poly bags, reclosable (zipper) bags, gusseted bags, poly tubing & sheeting, anti-static, VCI, conductive |
| Colors | Clear (standard), black, white, blue, green, pink anti-static, colored tint |
| FDA Compliance | Yes — food-grade bags manufactured from virgin polyethylene. Meets FDA 21 CFR food contact requirements |
| Sizes Available | Standard sizes from 2×3 in to 48×60 in; custom widths, lengths, and gauges available |
| Reclosable Features | Standard zipper, heavy-duty zipper, write-on panel, hung-hole punch, colored track |
| Custom Options | Custom printing, custom sizes, custom gauges, bulk case/pallet packaging |
Best For
Poly Bags are an ideal solution for these customers and applications.
E-commerce & Retail Fulfillment
The problem: Need low-cost, lightweight packaging for shipping individual items without adding dimensional weight
The solution: Flat and reclosable poly bags in 1.5–3 mil provide product protection at minimal cost and weight
Food Service & Commercial Kitchens
The problem: Must comply with FDA regulations for food contact packaging across produce, baked goods, and ingredients
The solution: FDA-compliant virgin polyethylene bags in food-grade formulations — flat, reclosable, and gusseted
Parts Kitting & Warehouse Operations
The problem: Need transparent, sealable bags for organizing small parts, hardware, and inventory items
The solution: Clear reclosable and flat bags allow visual identification; write-on panels enable part labeling
Industrial & Manufacturing Shipping
The problem: Products have sharp edges or heavy components that puncture standard film
The solution: 4–6 mil heavy-duty bags and gusseted bulk bags provide puncture and tear resistance for demanding loads
How to Choose the Right Poly Bags
Thickness (mil) is key. 1 mil is thin and economical: great for retail and lightweight parts. 2–3 mil is most common for shipping. 4 mil+ for nails, sharp metal, heavy or abrasive goods.
Zip-top (reclosable) bags increase reuse rates and prevent spills during handling and shipping.
When ordering gusseted, specify width × gusset × length. Example "12x8x18 gusset" refers to the side gusset added to the bag for depth.
Store poly products away from sunlight and ozone sources. Clear polyethylene can yellow over years if exposed to high UV.
Products in This Category
Popular Gauge & Application Guide
1–2 mil: Retail poly bags, lightweight parts bagging, garment bags, produce bags.
3 mil: General purpose shipping, warehouse kitting, hardware packaging, e-commerce fulfillment.
4 mil: Medium abrasive environments, heavier hardware, parts with edges.
6 mil: Heavy industrial liners, pallet liner bags, construction debris bags, drum liners.
Shop by Category
Poly Bags
Browse our full poly bag catalog — flat, reclosable, gusseted, and specialty styles.
Food Storage Bags
FDA-compliant food-safe poly bags for packaging, freezer storage, and food service.
Poly Tubing & Sheeting
Poly tubing on rolls for custom-length bags; clear and poly sheeting for covers and liners.
Reclosable Bags
Zip-close bags for parts, hardware, retail display, and food items.
Poly Mailers
Co-extruded poly mailers for e-commerce shipping — light, strong, and water-resistant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What mil thickness should I use for poly bags?
1.5–2 mil is suitable for light-duty applications like retail display. 3–4 mil is standard for parts storage and general purpose. 4–6 mil is heavy-duty for sharp or abrasive items. Food applications typically use 2–3 mil FDA-compliant film.
What's the difference between LDPE and HDPE poly bags?
LDPE (low-density polyethylene) bags are soft, flexible, and clear — ideal for general storage and display. HDPE bags are stiffer, crinkly, and slightly cloudy — they offer higher tensile strength and are often used for grocery-style bags. Most industrial flat and zip bags are LDPE.
Are your poly bags food safe?
Yes — our food-grade poly bags are manufactured from virgin (not recycled) polyethylene and meet FDA 21 CFR requirements for food contact. These are suitable for direct food contact including packaging, storage, and freezer applications.
Can I get custom-size poly bags?
Yes. We can source custom widths, lengths, and thicknesses with typical lead times of 2–4 weeks for domestic production. Contact our team at (800) 326-4403 for a custom quote.
Do you have colored poly bags?
Yes. Black, white, blue, green, and clear tinted bags are stocked in popular sizes. Color coding is great for segregating inventory by department or product category.