For all your carrier bag needs

Discount carrier bags

Buy from a huge range of carrier bags, including plain and printed carrier bags, at discount prices.

Carrier bags are the most popular polythene bag used in the retail industry. Available in a range of styles with vest, patch or flexiloop handles and in clear, white or coloured polythene as well as biodegradable material, there is a huge range of carrier bags available at discount prices today, whilst printed carrier bags allow companies to advertise their business on their carrier bags with personalised bespoke messaging printed on the sides of the bag.

Ten things you didn't know about discount carrier bags

The lowest fare only becomes transparent when a proper base price is checked first, because a bereavement offer means small without a normal rate to compare it against. In practice, that means looking at the cheapest non-bereavement options for the specific travel date, including discount carriers where they are on offer. Some of those airlines do not display up across all online travel agency, so the search can miss a better fare if it stops also soon. A direct website check often come bys the sharper number. Once that baseline is fixed, any special fare can be judged properly rather than guessed.

Recycling A to Z - Carrier bags

Carrier bags become awkward for recycling when they leave the shop looking simple nevertheless arrive in the waste stream mixed with food grease, dust and other scrap. Thin polythene suppliers can be reprocessed quite well if it stays clean and the gauge is consistent, yet normal household use changes that fast. A bag used for groceries, bin lining or storage selects up moisture and fibres, and that pollution is enough to spoil the feedstock. Black-bin disposal is normal because lightweight film behaves badly at a sorting plant, wrapping around moving parts and jamming equipment built for firmer packaging. Clean material still has value, nevertheless only when assortment is disciplined and the film is kept separate from normal waste.

Discount carrier bags only work properly when the film gauge is held within a tight band across the reel. Saving resin can improve reel yield and reduce storage space, nevertheless the bag still has to cope with handle stress, seal pressure and the rough treatment that comes with packing and carrying. Thin areas are often invisible at machine speed, yet they display up later as tears or split seams where the load bites hardest. A bag that seems fine on the dash can still cause rejects at the till, so close conversion control is the contrast between a low-cost item and a weak one.

Patch handle carriers stay normal because the welded patch turns an awkward lift into a more proper transport. The additional material around the handle spreads the load across a wider part of polythene suppliers, so a bag is less likely to split when it is pulled from a busy select-face or filled with weight that settles to one side. That matters on the shop floor, where speed often leads to rough handling and bags acquire twisted, dragged or overfilled. A superb patch also assists the handle feel firmer without needing wasteful above-gauging, so the carrier works harder for the material used. In practice, that gives less failed bags and less irritated clients at the point of use.

Coloured carrier bags can be reprocessed neatly when the melt is still soft enough to take pigment movement without breaking down the polymer. That gives a marbled effect that sees deliberate, nevertheless the proper value sits in what happens below the surface: the material requirements to retain its flow proper, grasp a usable gauge, and avoid weak spots that would display up later as splits or seal trouble. If the feed has been sorted as a clean mono-material stream, with stray secondary bagging kept out, the scrap behaves more predictably and can be turned back into film with less risk of waste.

Plain carrier bags are optimal treated as a straightforward carrying assist, not as a moving billboard. When a bag leaves the counter, it may travel through buses, pavements, offices and kitchens before ending up in a bin or recycling stream, so any printed message retains working long after the sale. A plain bag avoids that additional branding cost and retains the focus on the products inside. It also gives purchasing teams less variables to manage, since there is no artwork approval, no print dash to schedule and no separate stock for alternative sites. That makes stock rotation simpler and reduces the chance of write-offs when artwork changes.

Reviews of M C Printed Carrier Bags

Printed carrier bags perform optimal when the film specification is chosen for the method they are in reality packed and carried. A proper polythene suppliers gauge gives the press a calmer surface, so the print lays down more evenly and is less likely to scuff amid counting, nesting and secondary packing. Handle design makes a proper contrast also, because a clean die-cut or loop handle spreads the weight better when a bag is lifted in a rush at the till. If the boardroom likes the see nevertheless the shop floor disfavours the handling, the bag has been specified badly, and that shows up fast in complaints and misuse.

Poly carriers perform properly only when the polythene suppliers grade matches the load, the handle design and the method the bag is filled. A thin-looking carrier can still conceal a careful balance of gauge, slip and puncture resistance, while a poor blend soon shows itself in split handles, awkward opening or a bag that feels weak in the hand. Too much rigidity makes the film harsh and prone to cracking below stress; also much softness leaves the bag misshapen and inefficient in packing or transit. Good material selection gives steadier handling on the shop floor and less rejects at dispatch.

polythene suppliers carriers depend far more on gauge control than on how cleanly they see coming off the reel. A bag can pass a fast visual check and still be poor if the film varies in thickness, because thin spots are the first places to split when cartons settle into the base or when bags are lifted by hand in a busy packing area. Tight conversion retains the film even, so tare weight stays proper and pallet loads behave properly in transit. LDPE suits this type of carrier because it stays flexible without becoming awkwardly stiff on the line, which assists the packs survive the rougher moments of despatch.

See part 10 below for information about direct assist arrangements for carriers.

Carriers often avoid pressing a charge when the circumstances point to a pure exception rather than a straightforward billing issue. A rigid come can see tidy on paper, nevertheless transport work is messy: delays, damaged consignment paperwork, loading errours, and mixed responsibility at handover can all change the picture. That is why a carrier may see at the full chain of events before deciding whether a claim should stand. The practical lesson is simple: robust supporting detail matters above a normal complaint, particularly where the facts are unique.

Carrier bags are...

  • Polythene bags used to carry items, usually shopping
  • Also known as carriers, shopping bags or plastic bags
  • Provided (or sold) by retailers everywhere, from charity shops to high-end departments stores and corner shops to supermarkets
  • Carried by billions of customers across the planet
  • An ergonomic solution to carrying shopping
  • Designed to be easy to carry, with convenient carry handles, allowing the shopper to carry more than one bag with each hand
  • Available in a wide range of sizes to cater for small or large products
  • Available in a range of thicknesses, from lightweight supermarket shopping bags to deluxe glossy luxury carriers
  • Available in a range of coloured polythene, either plain or printed
  • A great way for a retailer to increase publicity - add your logo to the side of a carrier bag for ready-made mobile advertising!
  • An integral part of any retailer’s branding and advertising strategy
  • An invaluable aid in carrying shopping from store to home
  • Suitable to use and reuse for numerous shopping trips, time after time
  • Multi-purpose bags - can be used for many and varied purposes, aside from shopping

Carrier bags - take your pick

Carrier bags come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with a bag available to suit any retailer. Here are some of the most popular styles of carrier bags used today:

Vest - The best known carrier bag in the UK and beyond, traditionally used by supermarkets, smaller food stores, general stores and market traders. Made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and available in a variety of colours, plain or printed, these bags are lightweight but strong. Handles are attached to each side of the bag make it look like a vest from the front, hence the name. Provided they are not over-filled, these bags are capable of handling regular shopping with ease.

Patch handle - A more glossy and sturdy carrier bag, commonly used by high street stores to impress their customers. Made from thicker polythene than vest carriers to provide extra strength, these rectangular bags have a handle punched out of the top, reinforced by an extra patch of polythene, which gives the bags its name. Available in clear or coloured polythene and the perfect bag on which to print a design or logo to advertise the retailer, hence the popularity with high street retailers.

Varigauge - Similar in appearance to its patch handle cousin, the varigauge carrier bag is rectangular in shape with a handle punched out. However, the clever use of a varied gauge - or thickness - of polythene, which is twice as thick at the top of the bag than it is at the bottom, means that the need to reinforce the handle with a patch is avoided. Available in a variety of colours, these strong bags with extra room thanks to a bottom gusset, are very popular with retailers keen to make a good impression with customers.

Clip close - These strong rectangular bags have an integral white clip attached right across the top of the bag that clip closes shut, giving the bag its name. Made from thick clear polythene with a side gusset, these bags allow retailers to display their products, whilst not compromising on bag strength or quality. The sturdy clip also allows you to hang up the bag - and contents - to really show it off.

Flexiloop - These luxury carriers take their name from the flexiloop handle that is attached - by heat-welding - to the inside of the bag on both sides. Popular with supermarkets who sell them as ‘Bags for life’ - encouraging customers to reuse the bag - flexiloop carriers are made from thicker polythene than regular carriers, which makes them more expensive to produce. Paper versions of the flexiloop carrier bag are popular with boutique shops or fancy high street retailers.

Duffle - A sturdy polythene bag featuring a cord threaded around the top opening and down the sides of the bag. Pull the cord to close the bag tight and loosen to open. Useful for carrying bulky or weighty items and handy to carry, so often used by sportspeople as a kit bag. Also popular with sports shoe retailers.

Drawstring - Less sturdy than the duffle bag, so not suitable for similarly bulky contents, but operate on a similar principle. Drawstring bags feature two strings looped around the opening of the bag, with the ends of the drawstring appearing through separate openings adjacent to each other. When pulled at the same time, the strings tighten together and the bag closes. Typically made from clear polythene, these bags are a popular way of displaying products in a shop.

Grip Seal - A cross between a carrier bag and a grip seal bag, these bags contain an integral grip seal that runs across the width of the bag just below the cut-out handle. Simply squeeze the grip seal between forefinger and thumb to seal the bag shut, providing protection from rain or other external contaminants, then gently pull apart to open and repeat as many times as you wish. With a clear polythene front, a handle for hanging and a glossy finish, these bags are a great way to display your products.

Show off your business with printed carriers

Printed carrier bags are an ideal way for businesses to advertise directly into their local community. Take a plain patch handle carrier and turn it from the smart, sturdy carrier bag it normally is into a walking advert for your business.

Businesses have to provide carrier bags to their customers anyway, so why not pay a little more for them and get something back from the carrier bags once they have left your shop.

By adding your company logo or design to one or both sides of your carrier bags, you not only make your business look more professional and more eye-catching, but you let your customers act as mobile advertisers, when they leave your store and walk around others in the area with your company branding there for all to see.

You can even add a slogan or advertising message to tell your potential customers exactly what they need to know about your store. All this, carried straight out into the heart of your target market and the hundreds or thousands of other potential customers out there.

Not only do printed carriers help attract new customers, but they also reinforce the message to existing customers that you are a professional, reliable and smart retailer. So next time they go to their cupboard or car boot and see your carrier bag, they see your bag, that initial good impression is reinforced and they move that step closer to being a return customer.

So why bother with plain carrier bags? Go one step further and design your own printed carriers, complete with your company branding, to take your business to the next level.

Where to buy carrier bags

Carrier bag manufacturers and suppliers include:

Carrier Bags
Discount Carrier Bags provides customers with an instant quote on a range of printed carrier bags. Get your very own design or logo printed on one or both sides of a quality thick carrier for as little as 4p a bag. Get a quote in 60 seconds, any time of day, 24/7!
www.discountcarrierbags.co.uk

Personalised Carrier Bags
With instant real-time quotes on personalised printed carrier bags, Discount Printed Carrier Bags is the place to go for bespoke carrier bags at terrific discount prices. Get your design printed on strong, smooth, high quality polythene bags in a range of sizes, from just 4p a bag and with free delivery in the UK.
www.discountprintedcarrierbags.co.uk

Printed Carrier Bags
The home of printed carrier bags online - offering high quality 55-micron thick carrier bags printed with your very own design. With a free instant quote, the lowest prices online - starting at just 4p a bag - and free UK delivery, this website is the place to go for printed carriers - the best way to advertise your business.
www.printedcarrierbags.com

Carrier Bag
If you need a carrier bag of any style, size or colour, then Carrier Bags is the website for you. They provide customers with a huge range of polythene carrier bags, from varigauge carriers to vest carriers and with a selection of biodegradable alternatives.
www.carrierbags.co

Buy Carrier Bags
A useful resource for anyone looking to buy carrier bags. Featuring lots of information of different types of carriers - including bespoke printed carrier bags - and where you can buy them, this website will definitely help you find the right carrier bag for you.
www.buy-carrier-bags.co.uk

Printed Carriers
Find out more about printed carrier bags and a range of other plastic carriers at this useful website, including details of each type of bag and the best place to buy discount printed carrier bags online.
www.discountprintedcarrierbags.com

Printed Bags
Printed Bags Direct offers customers information and details on where to buy a wide range of stock carrier bags and bespoke printed carrier bags, so you can find out everything you need in one handy website.
www.printedbagsdirect.co.uk

Carrier Bag Printing
An excellent resource on printed carrier bags and stock carrier bags, with detailed descriptions on a range of carrier bag categories.
www.printedcarrierbags2u.com

Coloured Carrier Bags
Coloured Bags Direct is a website dedicated to printed carrier bags. A division of industry-leading manufacturer Polybags, they offer customers colour printing on a range of polythene carrier bags.
www.colouredbagsdirect.co.uk

Patch Handle Carrier Bags
Are you looking for printed carrier bags, patch handle carrier bags or any other style from a wide range of plastic carriers? This website is the site you need to help you make that all-important decision and find the right carrier bag for you.
www.printedcarrierbagsdirect.co.uk

Coloured Plastic Bags
Coloured Bags offer colour printing of carrier bags to help you advertise your business. Get a free quotation on your own design printed carrier bags, or choose from a wide range of stock carriers.
www.colouredbags.com

Plastic Carrier Bags
This handy website offers a useful resource on plastic carriers and printed carrier bags, including details of the types of bags available - from clip close carriers to patch handle carriers - and where to buy them.
www.printedcarrierbagsdirect.com

Research & Resources

For more information on carrier bags, the wide range of polythene and biodegradable carriers available, their many uses and how to recycle them, please visit:

Goldstork: A free online 'best-of-the-web' directory listing specially selected information on a wide range of plain and printed carrier bags.

PackagingKnowledge: The UK's premier polythene packaging knowledge website, containing loads of useful information and in-depth articles on carrier bags, as read by those in the industry.

PlasticBags.uk.com: List products for free as a manufacturer or, if you're shopper, simply browse a massive selection of carrier bags websites on this unrivalled polythene packaging directory.

Single-use carriers? No such thing!

The carrier bag is often portrayed in the media as the single biggest cause of pollution and litter on the planet.

Most commonly, the high density polythene (HDPE) carrier bag used by supermarkets is singled out as the biggest culprit. These bags, which are subject to a government levy in many countries - meaning customer have to pay a few pence or cents for each bag they use - are often referred to as “single-use carriers”, which is a term that is not only misleading but also irresponsible.

Carrier bags should be reused as often as possible and by calling them “single-use carriers” - including in newspaper articles widely criticising the use of such bags - the implication is there that the bags should be thrown away.

This is giving entirely the wrong message to customers and does not represent the facts. 82% of UK households reuse over half of all carrier bags they use, with 59% reusing all of them (Waste Resources Action Programme report, 2005).

There are so many things you can do with a carrier bag once you’ve used it to carry your shopping home. The most obvious is to take it back to the shop and use it again for its original purpose - to carry shopping! But you can also use carrier bags for wrapping your packed lunch, or as a portable laundry bag when you go on holiday, or wrapping shoes in a suitcase to keep your clothes clean. There are loads of things you can use it for if you put your mind to it, so use your carriers again and again.

Even when your carrier has seen better days and you’re ready to throw it out, you can give it one final hurrah and use it as a rubbish bag before throwing it in the bin. There’s no such thing as a single use carrier bag - at least there shouldn’t be!