Sealing & resealing bags

Buy from an extensive range of sealable and resealable bags, including grip seal bags, zip seal bags and self-seal bags.

Sealing and resealing bags are...

• Reusable polythene bags that can be opened and closed
• Designed for multiple use - open and close as many time as you like!
• Bags that can be sealed by a variety of means, including self-seal bags

Self-seal bags are...

• Manufactured with an integral sealing strip, located along the bag opening, to allow for easy opening and closure
• Also known as minigrip bags, mini-grip bags, gripper bags, grippa bags and resealable bags
• Ideal for securing bag contents and avoiding leakage or contamination
• Available in a variety styles to suit a range of uses, from storage bags to carrier bags
• Available in clear polythene with or without labels - to make a note of bag contents and help retrieval
• Available in variety of coloured opaque polythene - e.g. red, green, blue or black - to help with item storage and colour-coded retrieval
• Also available in more specialist polythene, from heavy duty grip seal bags to anti-static grip seal bags
• Sometimes referred to as zip seal bags. However…

Zip seal bags are…

• Manufactured with a metal zip fastener or zip seal, making them…
• A more premium bag than a grip seal bag
• Used for storing important documents, such as art portfolios or school project work
• Ideal for use as a wallet for conference delegates or for exhibition attendees
• Also known as zip bags, ziplite bags or zipper bags

Sealable, resealable and self-sealable - there's more than one way to seal a bag

Sealable bags

Any plastic bag that can be sealed shut can be described as a sealable bag.

The sealing process can be carried out by any means, including a bag tie or clip (e.g. a sandwich bag with a twist tie), an adhesive strip, either external (e.g. sealing any bag with cellotape) or internal (e.g. as with a mailing bag), an internal self-seal strip (e.g. as with a minigrip bag) or by heat sealing with an external sealer (e.g. as with vacuum bags).

So any plastic bag that is designed with a seal can be called a sealable bag. However, not all sealable bags can be called resealable bags.

Resealable bags

Only bags where the seal can be reused can be classified as resealable bags. Some bags, such as mailing bags, feature a single-use seal that can't be reused without tearing open the bag itself and thus rendering it useless. Mailing bags are a very convenient way of sending post - thanks to their integral adhesive seal - but, because their seal is strong enough to keep the mail contents secude until the bag is cut or ripped open by the recipient, then a mailing bag is not a resealable bag, although it is a sealable bag.

Self-seal bags

Not every sealable bag be called a self-seal bag. This monicker is reserved only for bags that can be sealed closed without using any external sealing accessory - including adhesive tape, clips or bag ties - and without the use of a heat sealer to melt the polythene and seal the bag.

The most popular types of resealable bags are grip seal bags. These bags, which are sometimes known as mini-grip bags, gripper bags or grippa bags, feature an integral seal that runs along the top of the bag.

The seal contains a male (single) and female (double) ridge of plastic on opposite sides of the bag opening. When the seal is squeezed gently between thumb and forefinger, the male ridge fits snuggly into the female ridges to close the bag. This seal protects the contents of the bag from moisture, dirt and other external contaminants.

It can be used over and over again, which means the grip seal bag is a sealable bag, a self-seal bag and a resealable bag.

This handy bag is available in a huge range of sizes, made from clear, coloured or black polythene, with or without labels to make handy notes on the bag and with specialist options including antistatic bags - to keep electrical components safe - and specimen bags with accompanying record cards - perfect for hospitals, doctors' surgeries and police stations.

Methods of sealing plastic bags

The most common ways of sealing a polythene bag are by:

Sealing the bag with ties or clips. Fasten any bag shut with a plastic clip or twist shut with a tie. A popular method of sealing food bags for domestic use (e.g. clip a packet of frozen peas shut before placing in freezer, twist a sandwich bag closed for a packed lunch etc.)

Sealing the bag with a built-in adhesive flap. Some bags such as mailing bags are manufactured with a flap opening, where the flap contains a built-in adhesive strip attached along its length. Simply remove the cover from the adhesive and press the flap down to seal.

Sealing the bag with a built-in grip or zip seal. A range of bags are available with an integral strip that seals shut either by squeezing the seal together (grip seal) or pulling closed (zip seal). Very handy for regular use as they can be used over and over, these bags also provide great protection from moisture, dirt etc.

Sealing the bag with a heat sealer. If you really want to seal your bag shut tight this is the method for you. A heat sealer will bond two pieces of plastic when placed together in the sealer and the sealer is closed shut. A one-time seal, this method of sealing bags is popular for vacuum packing food.

Where to buy sealing and resealing bags

Resealable bag manufacturers and suppliers include:

Ziplock Bags
The home of ziplock bags online, this website features everything you need on ziplock, zipper, ziplite, grip seal and all self-seal bags. With a huge range of products at great prices and free delivery within the UK, this is the number one ziplock website out there.
www.ziplockbags.co.uk

Self Seal Bags
Specialists in self-seal bags, this website stocks a huge range of resealable bags from grip seal to mini grip and ziplock to ziplite. Packed with loads of useful information to help you choose the right bag for you, with free delivery to UK addresses.
www.self-seal-bags.co.uk

Plastic Self Seal Bags
Discount Self Seal Bags is the place to go to get resealable plastic bags at discount prices. Also features loads of useful information on self-seal bags, including a handy buying guide to make sure you pick the right sort of resealable bag for you.
www.discountselfsealbags.co.uk

Minigrip Bags
A website loaded with information on minigrip bags - aka grippa bags - and all types of self-sealing bags, with list of the best places to buy them online. Features a useful guide to anti-static self-seal bags, what they are used for and how they work.
www.minigrip-bags.co.uk

Zip Seal Bags
Zip Seal Bags contains loads of great information on zip seal bags and other types of self-seal polythene bags and eco-friendly alternatives. It also features a handy list of online zip seal bag retailers.
www.zipsealbags.co.uk

Antistatic Bags
Antistatic bags is the number one website dedicated to antistatic bags. Containing a wealth of information on antistatic packaging and how it works, along with details of where to buy it at the best possible prices.
www.antistatic-bags.co.uk

Resealable Bags
Resealable-Bags is a division of Polybags Ltd, the UK's number one polythene manufacturer, that specialises in resealable bags. Offering an unrivalled range of resealable bags and other polythene packaging at the best prices online.
www.resealable-bags.co.uk

Research & Resources

For plenty more information on sealing and resealing bags, including the manufacturing process, types of self-seal bags available and their many uses, please visit:

PlasticBags.uk.com: Browse through a huge range of self seal bags websites or, if you are a manufacturer, list your products for free on this online directory specialising in self seal bags and other plastic packaging.

PackagingKnowledge: The UK packaging industry's number one website contains huge amounts of information and in-depth articles on self seal bags.

Goldstork: This free online directory features specially selected information and hand-picked features on a range of self seal bags and resealable bags.

What is static electricity?

Every object in the world - ourselves included - is made of atoms, which are in turn made of protons, neutrons and electrons. While neutrons have no charge, protons are positively charged and electrons are negatively charged.

In normal circumstances, the number of protons and electrons in an atom balance each other out, meaning that atoms have no charge. However, when two items rub together or separate, the electrons contained within these items can move from atom to atom or even from item to item, thus giving the atoms a positive or negative charge.

If the items involved in this situation are made from a material that does not conduct electricity - an insulator - then this charge can not move. The result is static electricity.

How do antistatic self-seal bags work?

If any static electricity comes into contact with an antistatic self-seal bag, rather than pass through the bag and risk damaging the electrical components inside the bag, the electricity passes around the bag and dissipates before it can make contact with the components, thus removing the possibility of damage.

Interesting information about sealing & resealing bags

Specimen bags work optimal as secondary packing for small mixed contents, particularly when items need to stay clean, visible, and separated in storage. For a assortment of photographic prints, pins, capsules, vials, lens fragments, paint chips and botanical material, each bag assists stop loose parts rubbing together and losing identity amid movement between drawers, shelves, and handling benches. Clear polythene suppliers also makes stock checks quicker because contents can be seen without opening all packet, which saves time and reduces wear on delicate material. Seal quality matters here, since a weak closure can let dust in or enable fine fragments to escape. Used properly, these bags retain mixed specimens tidy and easier to dispatch or archive.

Slider grip bags need a film that can take repeated handling without turning stiff or weak in the hand. A 3 mil gauge normally gives the proper balance, because it has enough body for picking, stacking and case packing, yet still folds neatly when cartons are filled and moved through the supply chain. If the gauge wanders amid conversion, the bag can feel inconsistent from one batch to the next, which causes trouble for packing staff and for the client who notices poor performance straight away. Good thickness control retains the bag behaving predictably and cuts down on rejects.

Buy the top-rated plastic zipper bags for jewelry products at a big price

Plastic zipper bags suit jewellery packing because they keep safe small items without adding much weight or bulk. A close-fitting bag retains rings, chains and studs together, while the zip seal assists stop parts rubbing against each other in transit or in storage. Clear polythene suppliers also makes stock easy to check at a glance, which assists with picking and counting on a busy packing bench. For delicate items, the smooth interior reduces scuffing better than plenty rougher wraps. The proper benefit is simple: the bag retains small, valuable products tidy and presentable without making the dispatch process any harder.

Small Zip Bags

Zip bags work optimal when the material and seal are chosen for the job, not only for appearance. For small items like embroidery, floral cotton parts, travel jewellery or a tassel bracelet, a clean, well-manufactured pouch retains parts together without crushing delicate detail. A decent ziplock-style closure stops dust, assists prevent loss in handling, and gives a tidy stop at point of sale. If the film is also thin, the bag scuffs easily and the seal can split in transit. A better gauge gives more confidence on packing lines and in storage, so the contents arrive looking cared for rather than muddled.

500 Self Seal Bags 150 x 350mm 6x14 PLA Fully Biodegradable

Self seal bags in a 150 x 350mm size suit small-unit packing where the item is long nevertheless not wide, because the slim format stores neatly and avoids wasted space in the warehouse or on a retail shelf. That same shape also makes stock easier to handle at the select face, since narrow packs are quicker to locate and less awkward to stack than fat pouches. The benefit disappears if the film does not dash cleanly through the packing area, though. Uneven gauge or a bag mouth that sticks closed slows the operator down and leaves the seal at risk. A bag that opens cleanly retains the line moving at a proper pace.

Why You Should Buy the Best hefty gripper bags From packaging suppliers

Gripper bags perform properly only when the closure is engineered to retain working after plenty open-and-shut cycles. The film requirements enough memory to spring back after handling, while the grip line must seal firmly without turning all opening into a struggle. On a fast secondary packing line, even a small disadvantage in gauge or lip formation can beginning a tear at the edge and lead to stoppages that spread through the shift. A bag that closes cleanly and retains its profile proper saves time at the bench and reduces nuisance failures when the line is below pressure.

Grippa bags need proper film performance above repeated openings, because a bag that behaves well only once soon creates handling trouble. Uneven gauge can leave the mouth weak in one area and tight in another, so the closure does not grip evenly and the seal quality slips after a few uses. That shows up quickly on busy shop floors where dust, oil and frequent handling are part of normal work. Parts can work loose, spill into secondary packing, or collect around the bench and slow the job down. A consistent film structure makes the bag easier to trust in daily production.

Minigrip bags only perform well when the film, closure and gauge are matched to the job, because a small pouch still requirements to cope with repeated handling on a busy select-face. If the polythene suppliers is also soft, the zipper can drift out of line and let dust or fine debris spoil the seal; if it is also stiff, the bag fights against clean packing and wastes space in the carton. Careful control of micron thickness retains the body supple without making the grip strip weak, so stock lies flat, counts stay visible and split shoulders are less likely. That balance saves time at packing stations and cuts the need for additional secondary packing.

Mini grip bags suit small clinical items when the film is light enough to retain stock tidy nevertheless still tough enough to survive repeated opening and closing. The proper test is not the bag's size, nevertheless how the low-density polythene suppliers behaves in daily handling. If the film is also soft, the seal can feel vague and the bag may not shut cleanly after relabelling or checking; if it is also stiff, staff waste time wrestling with it. Gauge selection matters because a thin film can split on a sharp edge, while an above-heavy one only adds awkwardness. A balanced spec retains issue fast and reduces damage before the bag reaches the ward.

Antistatic packaging supplierble bags solve a simple nevertheless dangerous warehouse problem: electronic parts need clean, fast packing without inviting static discharge or stray dust. A reseal strip lets the bag be opened and closed amid kitting, picking, or returns without chewing up the contents or forcing a new pack all time. That makes them useful for small drives, boards, and accessories moving through storage, dispatch, and light assembly. The bag selection still has to match the item, though, because poor fit leaves movement inside the pack and increases handling damage. When the size and seal are proper, the pack stays tidy and the stock is easier to control.