Poly Bags for Clothing – The Complete Guide for Apparel Brands
If you're an apparel brand or clothing retailer, poly bags are probably the most-used packaging item in your supply chain — yet they're rarely given much thought beyond the cheapest option available.
The reality is that the right poly bag can protect your products, enhance your brand image, and even reduce return rates. This guide covers everything you need to know about poly bags for clothing — from material selection to sizing to custom printing.
Types of Poly Bags for Clothing
1. PE Flat Bags (Garment Bags)
The most common choice for clothing packaging. Simple open-top bags that slide over garments quickly. Available in clear, colored, or custom-printed options.
- Best for: T-shirts, blouses, folded shirts, sweaters
- Material: LDPE (flexible, clear) or HDPE (crisp, economical)
- Thickness: 0.03-0.06mm for most garments
- Options: Plain or custom printed with your logo/branding
→ Browse our custom PE flat bags for clothing →
2. Zip Lock Bags (Reclosable)
Ideal for products that customers may want to open and reseal — sample packs, multi-item kits, or returns. The resealable feature adds perceived value to your packaging.
- Best for: Sample packs, accessories, socks, underwear multi-packs
- Material: LDPE or CPE with zip closure
- Options: Clear, frosted, or custom printed
→ See our zip lock bag options →
3. Self-Adhesive Bags (Peel & Seal)
Popular for e-commerce apparel shipments. The peel-and-seal closure is tamper-evident and easy for customers to open without damaging the bag.
- Best for: Online clothing orders, subscription boxes
- Material: LDPE with adhesive strip
- Key advantage: No heat sealing equipment needed
→ Explore self-adhesive bags for apparel →
Standard Clothing Bag Sizes
Here are the most common poly bag sizes used in the apparel industry:
| Garment Type | Recommended Bag Size (W×L) | Bag Type |
|---|---|---|
| Baby onesies / socks | 4" × 6" (100×150mm) | Flat or zip lock |
| Kids t-shirts | 6" × 9" (150×230mm) | Flat bag |
| Adult t-shirts (folded) | 8" × 10" (200×250mm) | Flat bag |
| Polo shirts / blouses | 10" × 13" (250×330mm) | Flat bag |
| Sweaters / hoodies | 12" × 15" (300×380mm) | Flat bag |
| Jackets / coats | 14" × 20" (355×500mm) | Flat bag |
| Jeans (folded) | 10" × 14" (250×355mm) | Flat bag |
| Accessories multi-pack | 6" × 8" (150×200mm) | Zip lock bag |
Need a different size? All sizes can be customized to fit your exact garment dimensions →
Material Choice: What's Best for Clothing?
For most clothing applications, LDPE is the standard choice because it offers:
- Clarity — Customers can see the garment without opening the bag
- Softness — Won't crease delicate fabrics like HDPE might
- Flexibility — Conforms to the shape of the garment
- Easy opening — Despite common belief, LDPE bags can be opened with a simple rub technique
For more detail on material options, read our complete material guide →
Should You Print Your Brand on Poly Bags?
Custom-printed poly bags are one of the cheapest forms of brand advertising. Here's what you need to know:
- Gravure printing — Standard for high-volume orders. High quality, durable print. Setup cost applies but per-unit cost is very low.
- Minimum for custom print: We can do custom printing from 5,000 pcs — one of the lowest MOQs in the industry.
- Design: Send your logo in AI, PDF, or CDR format. We handle the rest.
→ Learn more about our apparel packaging solutions →
Poly Bags vs Poly Mailers for Clothing
| Feature | Poly Bags | Poly Mailers |
|---|---|---|
| Best use | Internal packaging, retail display | Shipping / e-commerce fulfillment |
| Protection level | Light dust/moisture protection | Full shipping protection |
| Custom printing | Full gravure, any design | Limited to label or simple print |
| Cost per unit | Lower ($0.01-0.05) | Higher ($0.10-0.50) |
| Thickness | 0.03-0.08mm | 0.06-0.15mm |
Many apparel brands use both — poly bags for individual garment protection and poly mailers for shipping. If you ship directly to consumers, consider our self-adhesive bags as a middle-ground option.
How to Order Poly Bags for Your Clothing Brand
- Determine your garment sizes — Measure your most common products
- Choose bag type — Flat, zip lock, or self-adhesive based on your needs
- Decide on material — LDPE for most clothing, HDPE for economical options
- Consider printing — Custom branding adds professional appearance for pennies per bag
- Order samples first — Test sizing and material with your actual garments
- Place bulk order — We offer low MOQ starting at 5,000 pcs per size
FAQs
What's the best poly bag thickness for t-shirts?
0.04-0.05mm (40-50 micron) LDPE is ideal for most t-shirts. It's thin enough to be economical but strong enough for handling and storage.
Can I get poly bags with my logo printed?
Yes. Custom gravure printing is available from 5,000 pcs. Send us your artwork (AI, PDF, or CDR) and we'll provide a quote with printing plate costs included.
What's the MOQ for custom poly bags?
Our standard MOQ is 10,000 pcs per size. For first-time orders, we accept as low as 5,000 pcs to help new brands get started.
Do you use virgin or recycled material?
We use 100% virgin PE resin. This ensures consistent clarity, reliable seal strength, and no contamination — important when packaging garments that go directly to consumers.
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