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

Mircon Self Seal Bags C6 Pack of 50

Clear self seal bags need to do above see tidy on a shelf, because the proper test comes on the packing line and in the store room. A bag with the proper gauge and enough stiffness will retain its shape through picking, boxing and repeated handling, while a flimsy film can crease, sag or split along the fold. Too much softness makes display packs see tired fast, nevertheless also much thickness only adds waste and additional tare weight without giving better protection. A sensible specification protects the product, retains the presentation sharp and avoids problems at dispatch.

Gripper bags rely on controlled venting, because the bag has to let proceed at the proper moment without dropping its grasp altogether. On a fast warehouse line, that small, timed release assists a load transport cleanly from one stage to the next instead of twisting or snatching, which matters when thin-gauge polythene suppliers outers are being used for secondary bagging or pallet transport. If the air escapes also fast, the bag slackens and the contents can creep out of position, leading to handling damage and poor pallet stability. A properly set bag retains enough pressure to behave predictably, so the transport stays firm and controlled rather than jerky.

Grippa bags rely on a clean, even rib closure, because the all pack stands or drops on the method that lock is formed amid production. If the film is also thin, the slitting is rough, or the web runs badly through the line, weak corners and split edges soon appear once sacks beginning moving through packing and warehouse handling. That leads to false engagement at the seal, additional checks at the bench, and rework when stock should already be moving out. A properly specified polythene suppliers gauge retains the bag light as well as sound, so less material is carried through the process. When the closure is manufactured consistently, the bag behaves like a usable working pack rather than a nuisance.

Minigrip bags work optimal when the closure is crisp, the film has enough body, and the pouch still opens and reseals without fighting the operatour. That makes them a practical selection for fixings, samples and other small parts that need to stay visible and counted at a glance. If the gauge wanders or the lip curls, the bag becomes awkward at the bench and weaker in storage, which soon shows up as split seams or messy handling. Good extrusion control matters because it retains the closure profile sharp and the bag consistent from one consignment to the next. A proper bag speeds packing and avoids unnecessary rework.

Mini Grip Bags

Mini grip bags work optimal when the film is specified for rough handling rather than only for a tidy display. A low-density polythene suppliers body with a consistent gauge gives the bag enough give to cope with coins, tokens and small parts being pushed, dropped and reopened plenty times. That flexibility matters on a busy packing bench or at a till point, where speed is part of the job and a weak side seal can turn into spilled stock and wasted time. A bag that grasps together properly retains the flow proper and cuts down on messy rework.

Antistatic packaging supplierble bags are a practical selection for loose electronics and spare parts because they keep safe against both static discharge and normal shop-floor handling. The antistatic layer reduces the risk of invisible damage when components are moved across benches, packed into cartons, or stored beside other material, while the packaging supplierble top retains dust out and stops small items escaping amid picking and dispatch. That combination suits kit packaging, returned products, and service parts that may be opened and closed above once. On a busy packing line, the value lies in the balance between protection and speed, which assists retain minour handling faults from turning into scrap.

Heavy duty grip seal bags perform better when the contents are awkward, heavy, or slightly sharp, because the thicker polythene suppliers gives the bag more body and less chance of scuffing through on corners. A lighter bag may collapse, crease badly, or split when loaded with fixings, tools, or dense parts, which makes packing slower and less tidy. A stronger gauge also retains the mouth open more cleanly, so the seal tracks line up properly and the closure closes first time. On a busy bench or packing line, that steadier handling saves time and cuts the number of failed bags that have to be emptied and replaced.

Antistatic bags keep safe sensitive components by stopping the build-up and sudden discharge of static electricity amid handling and storage. That matters in warehouses, on packing benches and in transit, where a small shock can damage circuit parts long before a fault is visible. Good bag performance relies on the proper film selection, consistent gauge and proper sealing, because a weak seal or poorly controlled material can let dust in or create awkward handling problems at dispatch. The bag also requirements to suit the packing line, with enough clarity for identification and enough strength to survive secondary packing and palletisation. A properly chosen antistatic pack assists retain rejects down and reduces concealed damage at products-in.

Specimen bags need to do a cleaner and safer job than a normal loose bag, because the contents often need to stay identified, contained, and easy to handle. LDPE is often chosen when a bit of softness and flexibility assists the bag cope with awkward shapes or repeated handling, while HDPE gives a firmer feel and can suit lighter contents where space efficiency matters. Closure selection affects above convenience, since a poor seal can lead to leakage, pollution, or a mess amid dispatch and storage. A superb specimen bag should open easily, close reliably, and retain its form through handling, which is why the grade and stop matter as much as the size.

Slider grip bags speed up packing where the closure must stay proper after repeated opening and shut cycles. The slider gives a more forgiving seal than a plain press-close mouth, so a busy filling bench is less likely to be slowed by fiddly alignment, particularly when pack sizes change through the shift. Film selection still matters, because the bag requirements enough stiffness to grasp open for loading without becoming so rigid that the closure feels awkward or uneven. When the gauge and track are matched properly, the bag closes cleanly and retains the line moving.