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Screen printing

Screen printing (also known as silk screening or serigraphy) is the process of placing letters or logos on a bag. Screen printing easily prints on paper, plastic and fabric bags and can be used with bags of different shapes, thickness and sizes.

I recommend: PNEAC (Printers' National Environmental Assistance Center) offers detailed information about the screen printing process. Additionally, artelino, an online art auction site, provides information about this process.

Logotype

A logotype (commonly known as logo) is a trademark or a graphic that represents a company or business. A logo typically gives the viewers an insight into the type of business of an organization.

I recommend: To learn more about logos, you can browse through Hoover Web Design’s Web site.

Tote bags

A tote bag is a large bag that can be carried around. Tote bags are made from sturdy materials, like canvas or plastic, to help carry larger objects.

I recommend: For the definition of a tote bag, browse through Slingfings, a supplier of eco-friendly bags.

Duffel bags

A duffel bag is usually larger than a tote bag and has a zipper closure.

I recommend: Read about the basics of duffel bags at duffeldufflebags.com.

Kraft paper bags

Kraft paper bags (also referred to as millinery paper bags) are made from heavy brown paper, and have handles. The most extensive use for these bags is as grocery bags.

I recommend: Devon International, a supplier of packaging products, offers more information on kraft paper bags. Additionally, The Printed Bag Shop, a supplier of printed carrier bags, also provides detailed information about kraft paper bags.

Laundry bags

A laundry bag is used to carry soiled laundry. These bags are very useful for hotels, restaurants and other facilities, where laundry duty is part of the business.

I recommend: wiseGEEK provides detailed information about laundry bags.

Guide to Pricing and Costs of Bags

Get pricing estimates for cellophane, flat poly and zip closure plastic bags

By J.R. Glass

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Find pricing information on polyethylene bags

Flat poly bags have a multitude of uses, from food storage to clothing packaging. These packaging pouches are not self-sealing and require the separate purchase of bag closing devices. Vendors recommend that you do not use this type of bag for storing any type of liquid. You can purchase small polyethylene bags for just over $20 per 1000, while larger bags will sell for around $100 per 1000.

I recommend: Look for a wide variety of flat poly retail bags at the Associated Bag Company. PolyBagSupplies.com provides a guide to flat poly bag dimensions and sells a variety of poly bags.

Figure the cost of cellophane merchandise bags

Cellophane packaging bags are good for many uses and offer an attractive way to package products. You can seal cellophane bags with a zip closure or a heat-sealing machine to offer tamper-evident packaging and keep edible products fresh. You can also use ribbon, twist ties, rubber bands or self-sticking labels to close your cellophane bags. Companies price large cellophane bags around $70 per 1000, while smaller bags will cost around $50 per 1000.

I recommend: A wholesale provider of cellophane retail packaging is Cello Bags.com. It has a tutorial on its website, outlining the features of true cellophane bags. Fetpak is another provider of cellophane bags. In addition to bags, it sells accessories to go with them.

Get estimates for zip closure plastic bags

Zip closure bags are handy for storing random items, packaging food, packaging non-consumables and many other uses. Zip closure bags are available in many different sizes and styles, including tamper-evident bags that are heat sealed at the bottom. Zip closure bags range from $50 for 1000 small bags and $120 for larger bags.

I recommend: Bison Bag offers custom bagging solutions for its clients, including zip closure plastic bags. Visit GreatWholesalePrices.com to learn some of the environmental benefits of zip closure bags. Learn how using these bags to help the environment can also help your pocket book.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many companies will send free samples of their bags before you purchase. Request samples from several companies so you can compare the quality of the bags versus the pricing.

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Look at plastic bags for industrial and storage needs

You should look into buying plastic bags if you have to store food or liquids as part of your day-to-day business. Plastic bags that have zip closures are great for storing liquids and for keeping fruits and vegetables airtight. If you need the bags more for nonperishable dry goods, it is fine to go with polyethylene bags you can staple or tie closed.

I recommend: Ziploc is without a doubt one of the most trusted names in resealable zipper bags. These bags are sold by S.C. Johnson & Son and are known for their tight seals, which are sometimes colored to reinforce that they are closed tightly. If you're looking for poly bags, a good place to turn is PolyBagSupplies. You can buy rolls of either 2-mLor 4-mL bags that are precut and ready for use. They are also appropriate for a poly bag dispenser.

Consider canvas retail bags to promote your business as eco-friendly

Plastic shopping bags have a strong reputation of being bad for the Earth, since they can take a long time to decompose. Because of this, many consumers are turning to canvas bags. This can be good for your business in two ways. First, you can brand your business as green by selling or supplying them. Second, the more customers who start using and reusing canvas bags, the fewer plastic bags you will have to purchase.

I recommend: Look at Custom Specialties' selection of canvas tote bags. There is sure to be a color and style that's perfect for your customers. Another option to consider is canvas string bags, such as the ones Eco-Bags Products offers. These bags are inexpensive and fold up small enough to fit in a pocket, which makes them very popular for repeated use.

Check out the options available in paper bags

Paper bags have come a long way from the ubiquitous brown grocery sack. They are now available in lots of colors and make for wonderful shopping bags and gift bags. You can even have the bags imprinted with your company logo. Then, as soon as a customer leaves your store with purchase in hand, he or she is giving you free advertising.

I recommend: Browse Bags & Bows' inventory of decorated paper bags. They will work well as merchandise bags and gift bags with their bright colors and distinctive patterns. For promotional bags, pay a visit to Dunwoody Booth Packaging. You can get branded bags in your choice of four sizes, five paper colors, and twenty-eight ink colors. They come in boxes of 200 bags, with a suggested minimum order of five boxes.

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Look at companies that sell merchandise bags

Merchandise bags are the typical bags you get at almost any store when you buy something. Anyone who has been at a grocery store in the last 30 years knows they come in two main varieties: paper and plastic. Paper is the material of choice for most department stores, while owners of other businesses tend to go with plastic. The trend is changing somewhat as people strive to be eco-friendly, with paper gaining ground at natural foods stores.

I recommend: If you want to go with paper, look at the products Bags & Bows sells. There are dozens of size and style combinations and you can even buy recycled bags. If you'd rather buy plastic, consider ordering from Aplasticbag. This company offers the traditional, and inexpensive, T-shirt style bags, also called T-sacks, plus more upscale bags in various colors and shapes. You can even get drawstring plastic bags.

Check out polyethylene bags and industrial pouches

If you need bags more for storage than for show, skip the retail bags and go for more industrial products. Polyethylene bags are a good choice for shipping, because they are lightweight yet can be very strong. They are also transparent so you can see what's inside them, which can be important when you're taking inventory or making sure shipments are correct. You should use industrial pouches when you need to keep the contents of the bags contained, such as shipping or storing corrosive chemicals. The pouches are also fairly air-tight, which can help keep moisture off of sensitive goods.

I recommend: Turn to United Bags for your polyethylene bags. It has four different sizes available, all of which you can buy in economical rolls. For industrial pouches, a good company to speak with is Covalence Coated Products. You can get in touch with a sales professional who will help ensure you purchase the correct product type for your needs and your safety.

Research promotional bags and packaging pouches

Bags can also help you advertise or give your customers a good impression of your brand, even before they try your product. If an item you're trying to sell is sitting on a store shelf, the packaging is all the customer has to go by to decide if he or she wants to make a purchase, so your bag really has to sell. Bags are also great promotional products, since they help to get your logo seen by more people.

I recommend: Look at ePromos if you want to use bags as promotional items. This company has one of the best selections you'll find in many different price ranges. If you need bags for packaging, The American Packaging Group can help you design a plastic pouch that will be a perfect fit for your product.