Poly bags: custom polythene and PE packaging bags
Poly bags are flat, functional plastic bags made mainly from polyethylene, used to pack, protect, group and ship a product. They are supplied flat or gusseted, clear or printed, with the size, thickness and closure set by the product they carry.
VLM Poliplast makes custom poly bags to order, from clear and printed polythene to BOPP laminated and HDPE, in the size, thickness and print your line needs, converted, slit and perforated in-house.
These are flexible packaging bags for products, also known in the trade as polybag packaging, and not household cling or stretch film or retail carrier bags. Food-contact structures ship with a declaration of compliance to Reg. (EC) 1935/2004 and (EU) 10/2011.
The short answer: pick the poly bag by how it closes and what it does: self-seal to close by hand, printed polythene to brand a pack, HDPE for strength at low weight, laminated for a premium printed finish, and a mailing bag to ship an order.
Types of poly bag we make
A short guide to each type. Full sizes, thicknesses and options are on the individual product pages.
Self-seal bags
Clear PE or BOPP bags with a permanent or peel-and-seal adhesive lip, closed by hand without tape or a machine. With an optional header and euro hole for shelf display.
Printed polythene bags
LDPE bags printed with your brand, clear or coloured, for retail packing and grouping. Supplied flat or gusseted, in the size and thickness your product needs.
BOPP laminated bags
A multilayer bag with a BOPP outer for gloss, stiffness and a high-quality print surface. Barrier is documented per structure, to suit the product being packed.
HDPE bags
High-density polyethylene bags that give strength at a low material weight, supplied flat or on the roll, for food retail and industrial use.
Mailing bags
Opaque poly mailers with a permanent self-seal strip, tear-resistant, for e-commerce and courier shipments. Printed with your logo and sender details.
Which poly bag do you need?
Four questions decide it: does the bag close by hand, does the shelf look matter, how heavy is the product, and does the parcel ship by courier?
| You need | Start with | Why |
| Fast manual packing, no tape, no machine | Self-seal bags | Adhesive lip closes by hand; permanent or resealable |
| Branded packing at the lowest cost per bag | Printed polythene bags | Single-layer LDPE, printed on the surface |
| A premium shelf look with print that does not scratch | BOPP laminated bags | Gloss or matt, graphics sealed inside the laminate |
| Strength at a low material weight | HDPE bags | Thin, tough film for food retail and industrial packing |
| Shipping parcels by courier, with returns covered | Mailing bags | Opaque, tear-resistant, permanent or double seal |
Materials, thickness and printing
We make poly bags from polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE and HDPE) and from BOPP and laminated multilayer structures, choosing the material for the strength, clarity and barrier the product needs. Barrier is described qualitatively and documented per structure, not as unverified numbers. Bags are supplied clear or printed up to 8 colours with Pantone matching on request, flat or gusseted, with an optional header, euro hole, self-seal lip or handle.
Thickness: microns and gauge
Polythene thickness is measured in microns (µm), and is sometimes still quoted in gauge in the trade, where 100 gauge is about 25 microns. We quote in microns, from 25 µm upwards, set to the weight and handling the bag has to take.
Made to order by a manufacturer
VLM Poliplast converts, slits and perforates the bags in-house and prints them to your brand, so material, size and print are all set per order rather than sold from stock. Recyclable mono-material PE options are available under EcoMonoFilm® and support PPWR (EU) 2025/40, assessed on the complete pack; VLM Poliplast does not issue a certified RecyClass class. For how ordering works and how the two bag families compare, see the packaging bags hub, and for the underlying films see packaging film.
Frequently asked questions
What are poly bags made of?
Most poly bags are made of polyethylene: LDPE and LLDPE for flexibility and clarity, or HDPE for strength at a lower weight. For a premium printed finish or a higher barrier, a bag can use a BOPP or laminated multilayer structure instead.
Are poly bags and polythene bags the same thing?
Yes. Polythene is the common British name for polyethylene, so a polythene bag and a poly bag are the same product. Both refer to the flexible PE packaging bags on this page.
Are poly bags recyclable?
A single-material polyethylene bag is designed for recycling in the PE film stream, clean and dry. Laminated and mixed-material bags give more barrier or stiffness but are assessed and documented per structure. Recyclability is judged on the full structure, and mono-material options support PPWR compliance.
Can poly bags be used for food?
Yes, for structures declared for food contact. These come with a declaration of compliance to Reg. (EC) 1935/2004 and (EU) 10/2011, and production is covered by ISO 9001 and ISO 22000.
Can poly bags be printed, and what is the minimum order?
Yes. Poly bags are printed up to 8 colours with Pantone matching on request. The minimum order depends on the size, the material and the print, and is confirmed at quotation on your specification.
What thickness should my poly bag be?
It depends on the weight of the product and how the bag is handled. Thickness is quoted in microns, from 25 µm upwards, and a heavier or sharper product needs a thicker bag. Send us the product and we recommend the thickness.
Packing or shipping in volume with the bag you use today?
Send us the product, the bag size and the thickness you currently run: we document the structure, closure and print that fit, and prepare a sample for validation on your line.
Related resources
Packaging bags
The parent range: how the two bag families compare and how ordering works.
Custom pouches
Stand-up, quad-seal, zipper, vacuum and retort pouches, when the pack needs volume and shelf presence.
Packaging film
The PE, BOPP and laminated films the bags are made from, supplied as roll stock.
Request your custom quote
Send your product specification (bag type, material, size, thickness, quantity) and receive the recommended structure and, on request, a sample for validation.
Printed up to 8 colours · Samples for validation · Technical advice · ISO 22000