Polybag or poly mailer
Both are plastic bags, but they serve different purposes. A polybag is a clear protective bag, usually one garment per bag, used to keep clothing clean through packing, shipping and storage. A poly mailer is an opaque, tear resistant shipping bag with an adhesive strip, used to send an order directly to a customer.
Choosing a polybag
Choose a clear film that does not cloud or stick to the garment. A resealable or self adhesive strip keeps the bag closed. Polybags often carry a printed barcode or size label so that stock can be scanned without opening the bag.
- Size to the folded garment with a small margin, not to the flat garment.
- Add a barcode or size sticker if retailers will scan the bag.
- Consider a recycled content film if your customers expect it.
Choosing a poly mailer
Mailers are chosen by size, film thickness and opacity. Thicker film resists tearing and punctures during courier handling. Custom printing lets you add your logo and a message, which turns the delivery into part of your brand. Opaque film also protects privacy.
Safety warnings
Plastic bags can present a suffocation risk, particularly for babies and young children. Many markets require a printed warning on bags above a stated opening size, and some require specific wording. Check the rules for every market you sell into, and plan the print on the bag, not as an afterthought.
Minimums and timing
Custom printed bags and mailers have their own production minimums, which are often higher than a small garment run. Stock plain bags avoid that minimum. Decide on packaging early, because artwork approval and printing take time and can delay a shipment if started late.
How packaging fits the order
Packaging is part of the specification. Include in your tech pack how each garment is folded, which bag it goes into, what labels and tags go inside, and how many pieces go in a carton. Packing instructions written down once are repeated exactly on every reorder.
