There are many options available to you when purchasing bags in bulk. Paper, plastic and polypropylene bags are all available for bulk purchase. Most suppliers sell bulk bags in quantities of 500 to 1,000, giving discounts for multiple package purchases. Bulk paper bags are the most expensive bag to purchase, while bulk plastic bags are the least expensive to purchase. The size of the bag you are purchasing will have a large determination on the price you are paying for the bags.

Buying bags in bulk will lend a solution to your company packaging needs. As you search for pricing and costs of bulk bags, consider the following choices:

1. Use bulk paper bags for sturdy packaging.

2. Save money by purchasing plastic bags in bulk.

3. Consider using polypropylene bulk bags.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get pricing information on bulk paper bags

Paper bags are recyclable, easy to carry, more durable than plastic and hold more than plastic bags. Many manufacturers make paper bags from recycled materials. Bulk paper bags, which generally sell in packages of 500, range in price depending on the size of the bag. Bulk paper bags cost between $18 and $50, but most providers offer discounts for multiple bag purchases.

I recommend: You can buy bulk bags from Fetpak. It has several different sizes of paper bags to choose from. Idaho Forest Products Commission has information on the benefits of paper bags, as well as links to other informational sites.

Use bulk plastic bags to save money

Plastic bags are significantly less expensive than paper bags, but may not be the best option for your business. Consider the pros and cons of plastic bags before you purchase bulk bags. When purchasing plastic bags in bulk, plan to purchase a case of 1,000 or more. Plastic bags sell for $17 to $50 per 1,000, depending on the size and type of bag.

I recommend: Learn more about the benefits and draw backs of plastic bags at PlasticBagEconomics.com. Uline Shipping Supplies is a wholesale vendor of a myriad of bulk plastic bags. It has over 2,500 different sizes of plastic bags to choose from.

Consider the costs of polypropylene when buying bags in bulk

Polypropylene bags come in many styles, similar to plastic bags. Polypropylene bags are much more durable than plastic bags and are water resistant. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves of polypropylene bags as food packaging. Expect to pay between $10 and $80 per 1,000 polypropylene bags, depending on the size.

I recommend: PolyBagSupplies.com is a vendor of polypropylene bulk bags. It has several styles and options available for polypropylene bags. For information on advantages and standards for polypropylene bags, visit Packaging Knowledge.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When purchasing bulk bags for customer carry out, purchase both paper and plastic to give your customers a choice.

Bulk bags, whether they be bulk paper bags or bulk plastic bags, are an efficient, inexpensive solution to your bag needs. Available in a variety of sizes and colors, many bulk bag manufacturers offer you the option of customizing your bulk bag selection with a company logo or other advertisement.

Choose bulk bag packaging that meets the needs of your business and fits your budget. Buying bags in bulk from reputable bulk bag manufacturers ensures you have a sufficient supply of bulk bags for your business at the best prices available. When you buy bulk plastic bags or bulk paper bags, you should:

1. Consider the best price for the bulk bags you need and receive a quote.

2. Use a manufacturer of bags in bulk that will work with you to customize your bulk bag choice.

3. Consider buying bags in bulk that are environmentally friendly. that are both recycled and recyclable.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose affordable bulk bags for your business

Buy bulk bags that fit your product and your budget. Plain bulk bags are the cost-effective choice to supply the packaging needs of your business. Plain plastic and paper bulk bags are available for perishables, clothing items and other products in a wide selection of styles and colors.

I recommend: Paper Mart has a large inventory of bulk bags made of plastic or paper at competitive prices. The professionals at Paper Mart require no minimum purchase and can ship your order the day that you make your bulk bag purchase. ReStockIt.com has various types of bulk paper bags at discounted prices.

Buy bulk bags that you can customize

Place your business logo or slogan on bulk bags for easy, cost-effective advertising. Seen by countless people, a bag with your business information can attract new clients to your business and increase brand awareness.

I recommend: The professionals at promo-force offer a 100 percent Customer Satisfaction Guarantee on all customized products purchased. With a large stock of high-quality plastic and paper bulk bags, Promo Force can customize your bulk bag selection for a sophisticated, professional look. Request a quote on customizable bulk bags from IndustrialBags.com.

Choose bulk bags that are friendly to the environment

Save the environment while you advertise your business by choosing bulk plastic bags that are eco-friendly. Countless paper and plastic bags are used each day; bulk bags made from recycled materials are the environmentally friendly choice.

I recommend: Use BioBag for your environmentally-friendly bulk bag needs. BioBag offers 100% biodegradable and compostable bags in bulk. Whether you require bulk trash bags, bulk bags for clothing or bags in bulk for perishables, BioBag is a bulk bag manufacturer that offers a competitive price on quality merchandise. Bags on the Run sells environmentally-friendly reusable bags with a minimum order of only 10 bulk bags.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Set up a bulk bag recycling station in your business. You not only help the environment, but you can bring customers back into your business to return used plastic bag materials.

Getting bulk bags manufacturing education and training gives you the credentials you need to work in the bulk bag industry. It also gives you an edge as you keep current with chemical changes in processing and designing.

Discover what companies look for when they purchase bulk bag packaging and create bulk bags that fulfill these needs. When looking into education or further education in bulk bag packaging, you might want to consider the following options:

1. Get a degree in engineering so you become qualified for bulk bag manufacturing positions.

2. Receive bulk bags manufacturing education and training from online sources.

3. Go to training seminars to learn about uses and specifications for bulk bag products.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

For an edge in bulk bag design, earn a degree in engineering

Whether you plan to work with bulk paper bags, bulk plastic bags, polypropylene bulk bags or industrial bulk bags, it's important to educate yourself on the mechanics of designing the bags. Getting a degree in engineering gives you hands-on experience in construction and usage.

I recommend: California Institute of Technology offers a degree in chemical engineering. It prides itself in having innovative and distinguished faculty who are active in research and application. Carnegie Mellon University is one of the highest rated colleges in the world for its research and education in engineering. It encourages collaboration with students, and its lab design reflects this philosophy.

Use online resources to expand on your bulk bags manufacturing education and training

Many educational institutions offer courses and classes online. Many of these are free, and all offer you the chance to educate yourself around your work schedule.

I recommend: OER Commons provides coursework from Utah State University, which offers a biochemical engineering course with downloadable lectures and assignments. MIT offers a course that focuses on microbiology and chemical engineering interaction as well as chemistry. It has materials you can download for study in addition to its regular assignments and readings.

Attend seminars and trade shows to learn about areas in the industry that need bulk storage bags

Keeping current on industry products and the companies handle them gives you an edge when it comes to bulk bag design. Keep current on regulations, handling, chemical interactions and product handling in order to offer clients bags in bulk that cover all their needs.

I recommend: Camber Southeast has a list of events and also of trade shows around the country and internationally. Some of the conferences focus on topics such as handling bulk materials and using cutting-edge technologies in the business. Bulk-Online offers an e-Library for those interested in articles and publications for the bulk business. It also provides information on seminars with topics like packaging technology.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you manufacture bags in bulk, make sure they meet the current industry standards for shipping.