Types of Common Plastic Bags
Plastic bags are widely used in food packaging, e-commerce, retail and industrial applications. Understanding different plastic bag types helps you choose the right solution for protection, shelf life and branding.
The most common plastic bag types include PE bags, PP bags, laminated pouches, stand-up pouches, flat pouches, vacuum bags and ziplock bags. Each structure has its own material, performance and ideal application.
1. PE Bags (LDPE / HDPE)
PE bags are the most common plastic bag types on the market. LDPE bags are soft and flexible, suitable for general packaging, garment bags and inner bags. HDPE bags are thinner and stiffer, widely used as supermarket T-shirt bags and shopping bags.
- Soft and flexible (LDPE)
- Good moisture resistance
- Low cost and widely used
- Suitable for inner bags and shopping bags
2. PP Bags (Polypropylene Bags)
PP bags offer higher clarity and stiffness than PE bags, making them ideal for retail display packaging. They are often used for snacks, stationery, hardware accessories and small retail items that need to be clearly seen by consumers.
- High gloss and clarity
- Good stiffness for display
- Suitable for hanging display and pegboard hooks
3. Laminated Pouches (PET/PE, PET/CPP, NY/PE)
Laminated pouches are made from multi-layer films, such as PET/PE, PET/CPP or NY/PE. Each layer plays a different role: PET for printing and stiffness, NY for strength and puncture resistance, and PE or CPP for heat sealing.
- High mechanical strength
- Excellent oxygen and moisture barrier
- Premium printing quality for branding
- Ideal for coffee, snacks, pet food and frozen food
4. Stand-Up Pouches
Stand-up pouches have a bottom gusset that allows the bag to stand upright on shelves. Combined with high-quality printing and zipper or spout options, they are one of the most popular flexible packaging formats.
- Strong shelf presence and branding impact
- Can be combined with zipper, spout or valve
- Suitable for snacks, coffee, pet food and more
5. Flat Pouches (3-Side Seal Bags)
Flat pouches with three-side sealing are simple and cost-effective. They are widely used as small inner bags, sample packs, desiccant bags and seasoning sachets.
- Simple structure and easy production
- Good sealing strength
- Ideal for small products and single-use portions
6. Vacuum Bags
Vacuum bags are usually made from NY/PE or PET/PE structures. By removing air and reducing oxygen, vacuum packaging significantly extends the shelf life of meat, seafood and processed foods.
- High oxygen barrier
- Good puncture resistance and toughness
- Widely used for chilled and frozen food packaging
7. Ziplock Bags
Ziplock bags use a reusable zipper closure, making them convenient for daily storage, repacking and small-part organization. They can be made from PE, PP or laminated films.
- Reusable and easy to open and close
- Ideal for household and light-duty packaging
- Can be printed with brand logo and product info
FAQ: Common Questions About Plastic Bag Types
Q1: How do I choose the right plastic bag material?
For food, use laminated pouches. For display, use PP bags. For inner packaging, PE bags are the most cost-effective.
Q2: Which material has better clarity, PE or PP?
PP bags have higher clarity and gloss than PE bags.
Q3: What products are vacuum bags suitable for?
Vacuum bags are used for meat, seafood and cooked food requiring longer shelf life.
Q4: When should I choose laminated pouches?
When you need high barrier protection, puncture resistance and premium branding.
