Pick the right poly bag the first time

There’s really nothing worse than making a decision based upon convenience rather than necessity. The issue of selecting the right poly bag for your needs may seem simple at first glance. However, there are a multitude of factors to consider prior to making a final selection. These include the product itself, such as whether it is soft or hard, the weight and size of the product, and what kind of protection you want the bag to provide.

Small items require small bags, while larger items require more room within the bag. One example would be a T-shirt versus a winter jacket. A T-shirt does not require a bag designed specifically for a winter jacket. If the bag is too big, the extra room allows the product to move around during handling. Therefore, choosing a bag that provides adequate protection and is the right size will help ensure that your products remain secure from the moment they are packaged and shipped out of the warehouse until they arrive at your customer’s door.

Another common misconception is that bigger is always better. In fact, this is not true when it comes to packaging. If you purchase a bag that is too large for your product, it can create empty space inside, allowing the product to shift back and forth as it is being handled. Instead, using a bag that provides enough room for your product without excessive empty space helps ensure that it stays secure throughout the entire shipping process.

Choosing a thicker poly bag may not always be the best option. Thicker bags are suitable for heavier products or items with sharp edges. For lighter products, however, a standard-thickness bag is usually sufficient. By using the appropriate thickness, you can avoid excess material and reduce packaging costs.

Because poly bags are stored flat, they use very little storage space. As a result, you can store a large quantity of bags on each shelf, freeing up additional room for other products and shipping supplies. Additionally, keeping poly bags organized allows employees to quickly select the proper bag size for each package, helping them work faster and complete their tasks more efficiently.

Some companies have also expressed concerns regarding environmental issues. Although no packaging solution is suitable for every situation, many poly bags are manufactured using recycled content. Furthermore, some poly bags can be recycled through participating local retailers or authorized recycling centers. Choosing only the appropriate bag size for your needs can also reduce the amount of packaging material used and minimize unnecessary waste.

To maximize the benefits of poly bags, several practices should be implemented. First, organize your poly bags according to size so they are easily accessible. Store them in a clean, dry location. Before placing a product inside a poly bag, verify that the selected bag provides enough room to seal properly without stretching.

Taking a minute or two to carefully select the right poly bag can greatly minimize package damage and improve packing efficiency.

Help Manage Your Inventory Using Poly Bags

When you store small items in a poorly packed container, such as on a shelf or in a drawer, they can become "small" headaches. They can move around easily, become mixed up with other items, or fall into a hard-to-reach area deep within a larger package.

Screws, bolts, craft supplies, small parts, jewelry, and similar items are examples of products that can benefit from better organization.

Using clear plastic bags offers a simple way to manage these types of items. The bags keep small items grouped together so they do not get lost among your inventory.

To Keep Items in a Set Together

Many times, a product comes with multiple small items. For example:

• A piece of furniture usually has a set of screws and/or bolts.
• A toy may require you to locate several small parts.
• A craft kit may include beads, clips, glue sticks, scissors, and other components.

By grouping these individual components into a single poly bag, all the related components are kept together. The customer won't have to dig to the bottom of their shipping box to try to locate a missing screw or small part.

To Make the Product Visible Without Opening the Bag

Since clear plastic bags allow consumers to view the contents without opening them, they are particularly beneficial in warehouses, stockrooms, and packing areas.

Warehouse workers and staff can quickly see what is contained in the bag, potentially saving time when searching for a specific product or part.

Labels with product names, numbers, or other identifying information can also be placed on the bags to make organization and identification easier.

Try Resealable Bags

There are instances where a bag needs to be opened and closed more than once. In these situations, resealable plastic bags can be a practical solution.

A customer can remove the items they need and then reseal the bag. Resealable plastic bags are useful for packaging hardware, craft supplies, small toys, replacement parts, and similar products.

Even after the customer opens the bag, it can continue to help keep the products organized and together.

Selecting the Correct Size

Try to select a poly bag that matches the size of your product as closely as possible.

If you choose a poly bag that is too small, closing it can be difficult. On the other hand, if you select a poly bag that is too large, it will consume unnecessary space and may make it more challenging to organize your small products.

Before selecting a poly bag size, measure the items carefully. Don't forget to allow sufficient additional space for thicker products or items that need room to fit comfortably inside the bag.

Making Packaging Easier

Effective packaging doesn't necessarily mean over-complicating the process. Plastic poly bags can help keep groups of small products organized, make products easier to locate, and protect them from dust and dirt.

Whether you are organizing your inventory or preparing an order for your customers, using poly bags can simplify many packaging and storage tasks.