Types of Resealable Plastic Bags

There are many different types of resealable plastic bags, ranging from the thicker plastic, expensive zipper type  bags to the small, lightweight resealable bags with a flap.  Different styles of reclosable plastic bags are better suited for different purposes and even different industries. While there are no hard and fast rules regarding what type of resealable bags you should choose for which purpose, there are some guidelines that may help you make better choices, and help you to save money in the long run also by not using a more expensive resealable plastic bag when a cheaper variety would suffice.

Resealable Grip Bag:  These bags have a plastic ‘grip’ running along the top of the bag, where one side fits snugly into the other side. They are some of the more common types of resealable plastic bags when it comes to using them for food, for example. They are great for storing leftovers, as they seal well enough not to let anything out and they are also suitable for storing food in that there are no adhesives involved. Usually the plastic used is of fairly good quality, as they are made to be used again and again, or to be resealed time and again. They are opened easily, without needing to use tape or scissors, and they are closed up securely again just as simply.

The medical sector also makes use of this type of bag quite a lot. Have you ever bought sterilized gauze, or cotton, for example? Or sterile cotton buds? Often they come in this type of sealable bag.

You will also often find manuals, disks, computer manuals for example that come along with a new laptop, sealed in this type of plastic resealable bag.

Sliding or Zip Bag: These type of resealable plastic bags have a slide or zip that slides across the top of the bag, effectively sealing it. They work on exactly the same principle as a zipper, you slide it one way to open and another to close the bag.

These type of bags are used to store food, and are especially used for freezer bags, for example. However, they are probably more popularly used for documents–you will see these type of closures frequently used on plastic folders as well, for example. Typically, this type of bag is perfect for using within the travel and educational sectors. You will often find advertisements or promotional material that is handed out at trade fairs protected in this type of bag.

Sealed Plastic Bag: These plastic resealable bags are much simpler in design. They use a specific type of glue, either permanent glue directly applied to the plastic or a form of tape, that can be reused.  A common example of this type of resealable plastic bag is the one that encloses most CDs. It is one of the most common resealable plastic bag types used in the retail industry, with many products being sold in this type of bag. Another common use for this type of resealable plastic bag these days is to use for mailing letters or brochures out. They are very secure, mail cannot come out of this type of envelope, and it is possible to print directly on the envelope or leave a transparent rectangle for the address to show through.

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