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:
- Measure your product
- Determine your necessary poly bag measurements
- Choose the correct type of poly bag
- 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.
