Usually, plastic bags customers are interested in the same questions:
– Why in the manufacturing of a package with a cut handle takes so much time;
– How thick pakety- “Mike” to select in a given case;
– That it affects the cost of custom packets;
– Whether it is possible at least for something to save?

In fact there is a lot more questions. And not only for beginners, but also quite experienced clients.
In many ways, just from the company’s products depends on whether the customer gets what he, in fact, necessary. Undoubtedly, we are not talking about the quality and timing of the execution of the order. Just read his client manufacturer is sure to make every effort to perfect it has been selected for this purpose, the material would be true chosen film thickness. Yet they often find themselves in difficult situations. For example, wholesale buyer asks them to make him a party package with a cut handle 70 microns thick. And they understand that, for its purposes would be quite reached bags thinner, say, 40 or 50 microns. What, of course, and report to the client. But he continued to insist on his own. Of course, they do these packages to the stated thickness. Although not understand – so why pay more.

Yet, often, the customers themselves are asking manufacturers to calculate the thickness of the package in such a way that, on the one hand, not affected the quality of products, on the other hand would not have paid the extra money. Indeed, one of the possible options for a reasonable savings – reducing the thickness of the package, because it is his so-called raw component directly affects the cost of the package. Modern equipment allows to produce a conventional single-layer plastic film, and the multilayer having increased strength characteristics. This film is called COEX (COEX – from the English word co-extrusion – coextrusion). ”

By the way, excessive and not reasonable thickness packages may, oddly enough, degrade the quality of the package. The fact that bagmakers have some limitations as regards welding seams. Some states in the assembly weld seam in the bag in a thickness of 30 microns and the other to cope with 100 micron. Nevertheless, it has a limit. Because you should always remember: the more the thickness of the package, the greater the likelihood that the seam just gets going.
It happens that the producers have to discourage customers and from the awkward combination of colors on the packages. Despite the fact that the state of each of the manufacturer is necessarily experienced designer, who from the very first words of the client understands what the final image, customers often prefer to rely on their own opinions. So we have to explain what is said on the fingers, why you should not, for example, a blue dye applied to the green polyethylene: the color of the image will be blurred, and not blue. ” To avoid similar incidents can be only one way: to listen to the opinion of experienced designers and manufacturers of plastic bags.

Yet most of the questions and sometimes even disputes arise because of the understandable desire of the customer to save money. But here too the manufacturer shall be established. Again, if he really wants to help his client get a quality product. After all, only you can save the expense of quality in the production of packages.

Often, in order to save manufacturers offer their customers to order pakety- “Mike” of the so anoint recycled polyethylene. A primary argument in favor of such a solution – a significant savings: at least 25-30%. However, manufacturers have not agreed to a common opinion on the strength characteristics of recycled packages. Some experts believe that the quality of these packages will not be good, they say, by definition, they are not able to withstand the large load, and can break the entire length if the package abuts the wall of a more or less acute angle. In addition, they appear to be quite unattractive. Even a layman can, as they say, to the eye to understand what he is holding in his hands, “revised” package: PE-through will not be smooth, continuous and divorces.

However, not all manufacturers agree with this view. As noted in the companies, significant savings can be only in the production of secondary packages. This package quality is not so suffering: for secondary polyethylene in this case is only a supplement to the primary. It suffers only the appearance. Since the processing is often dyed polyethylene, is obtained in the secondary result is a dirty gray or beige color. In this case, manufacturers simply paint packages in black. But the strength characteristics in a package of recycled polyethylene are the same. Generally easily torn pakety- Only “T-shirts” from HDPE with a thickness of 10 to 20 microns. And no matter which polyethylene has been used as a basis – a primary or secondary. The range of some companies have packages HDPE 60 microns, which can withstand the load in the 40-45 kg.
There is also a third opinion on the matter. Bags from recycled polyethylene have a right to exist, but only for so-called serial production. That is, these packages could not be more suited to wholesalers, in particular, trading in these packages. But for custom packages secondary polyethylene is better not to apply. Yet the quality of such packages is worse. Although, in theory, if the production of modern equipment and technology properly debugged, the secondary material shall not substantially impair the strength and other characteristics of the product. But the production efficiency is increased. To comply with these conditions it is only necessary to increase the treatment culture of production waste. For any dirt, dust that gets on tape, significantly reduces the quality of the recycled material.

And yet, save on production of packages possible. The main thing that this economy was appropriate. Ordering party packages, first of all, you need to clearly define its design and features: carrying capacity, size, number of copies, as well as to understand the “status” of the future product. Just pack forms destiny of his appearance, and, therefore, affects the cost of the order. Where only package with a cut handle, hardly suitable packaging – package- “T-shirt”. As well as vice versa: not necessarily spent on the production of dense package, if you can get a package like “shirt.”
As already noted, ordering packets with a cut handle, yet be more clearly count the desired thickness. After all, even a difference of a few microns can significantly affect the final cost of the package. Meanwhile, the customers are not always aware that thinner package is quite suitable for their purposes. And most importantly, why they do not always listen to the views of producers. So, just spend the extra money. In addition, not all packets with a cut handle is optional bottom fold. It makes sense to lay only in the event that this package is designed to carry bulky items. For advertising booklets or documents (ie, flat objects) suitable package without bottom folds. Another opportunity to spend money sensibly.

More manufacturers are confident that do not always need to be ordered color packs. Extra charge for color is not less than 20%. While many customers, according to the manufacturer, and might restrict the white packages. In a word, clearly formulating the problem, and carefully picked up the package size, the thickness of the film and design, the customer will never spend extra money.
Finally, once again briefly go over the key types of plastic bags, their relative characteristics and distinctive features.

Plastic bags (LDPE bags). The most basic (as by the production process as well as in appearance), cheap and, as a consequence, the most popular in all grocery stores (ranging from very small to large retail chains) packages – the so-called packaging (packaging bags). These packages may be made as HDPE and LDPE. However, unlike the packages for carrying different weight and size of goods, packaging designed for certain sufficiently low weight. In fact, their main purpose of pre-packaged food in smaller lots (in the case of packaging of HDPE), or to ensure the safety of perishable food (when it comes to packaging of LDPE). And just from fasovok not require great durability, manufacturers are trying to produce a thinner package possible.
Thickness filling packets varies from 6 to 12 microns. For the most part they are trying to make it from high-density polyethylene. The thinnest in this class packages are designed for the weight of 2 kg and most dense able to withstand even a 7 kg. However, the load largely depends on the shape and dimensions of the packed product the package itself. Transparent plastic “packaging” of the “roll” come in two sizes: 25×35 cm and 25×40 cm.

Package T-shirt. Among the packages with handles most famous are considered to be “T-shirts”. Thin, light, almost weightless, and it is extremely intensive, they are simply irreplaceable for supermarkets or markets.
Bags – “tank” can be made from both the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and high density polyethylene (LDPE). Despite the fact that the packages made from LDPE, are more attractive view (dense, no shrinkable bags which can be used repeatedly) for the most part “Mike” still produce HDPE. After all, at an extremely small thickness of these packages differ utmost strength and durability and virtually no stretch. Due to the design of handles, these bags are capable of withstanding an impressive weight (sometimes even more than it seems at first glance), but due to lateral folds to fit them very bulky items.
Actually, this property is for “T-shirts” fundamental and distinguishes them from the package with a cut handle. Even with a small film thickness paketov- handle “T-shirts” does not need to be strengthened. The load capacities of 9-12 kg package is sufficient thickness of the film: the application of the IPA – 18-20 mm, HDPE – 35-40 microns. In general, it is due to the design features of this type of package is not necessary to use a large film thickness. Which, of course, the most favorable impact on the cost of the “T-shirts”. This is their second significant advantage.

However, there is a “tank” type package and a minus. Again, because of the nature of the material is used, as well as most package designs, “Mike” are not effective as carriers of advertising. But the package today and assigned this role. When a large load “Mike” become round or cylindrical shape, harder to read text. Therefore, the information makes sense to apply only to a small area: in other places advertising simply will not be visible.
Usually, at pakety- “Mike” small pattern is applied, usually one, at least two paint. To do this, use flexographic printing. However, printing on a thin polyethylene is quite complicated, and therefore can not be considered a good combination of colors. And if you are using two colors, to better prepare the layout so that the colors do not overlap and do not require a good register.

A package with a cut handle. As well as “Mike”, with a cut handle bags made from HDPE and LDPE. But the similarity ends. Further differences begin. First of all, they differ in shape. A package with a cut handle has a rectangular shape, and an opening for the hand (cut handle) is cut in the upper part. And impressive range of film thickness from 35 to 100 microns. these packages are divided into several types, in turn: a bottom and without him, with reinforced or non-reinforced handles, etc. But in the end all structures are united by one:.. the package is a rectangle rather large size, which is quite convenient to put advertising information. For the most part of a package with a cut handle functions as an advertising medium. For how to use it as a bag is not too comfortable. And the load of packages with a cut handle is not too large. But for the purposes of advertising packages with a cut handle perfectly fit. They are convenient to distribute, for example, advertising materials, periodicals or small souvenirs.
Since the production of a package with a cut handle is used more dense in comparison with the “Mike” material applied to the polyethylene picture may be more complicated. Furthermore, in theory, the figure can be placed on both sides of the package, and even at the bottom. It is defined by the fact that the image on the film is applied in advance, even before the package will take final shape. However, when the production of flexographic printing costs more expensive than larger sealing area: flexo are expensive. Therefore, choose the size of the sealing should be easy: well-made design will help significantly reduce the production cost.
Ordering luxury bags with a cut handle better to prefer packages with a glued, not welded handle. This handle, firstly, not fall off (which often happens with a weld), and secondly, this enhancement is not seen practically. What exactly is an important condition for luxury products. However, to do this you can handle only with special equipment. While in Russia there is only one company that offers manufacturers package the new machines – the company “Eksimpak” (Saint-Petersburg).

Package with loop handle. Packages with loop handles are manufactured from a film thickness of 40 microns and above. A fairly large thickness, absence of lateral folds beautiful appearance make possible the application of these packages are very high quality printing. It is this diversity package differs even appearance and materials used. As a rule, it is equipped with a loop handle corporate package.
There are three main types of handles. The first is the easiest: the handle is made from the same polymer as the package itself (just thicker), and is welded to it in a special machine. Although this is only possible to create a package of polymeric materials.
The second type – a rope handle. A piece of rope is threaded into the holes in the package, fixed node. For greater load capacity holes in the package often reinforce special pistons or more layers of material package.
The third design is the most difficult: the handle is made of plastic by casting and are attached to the package in a special way. Use the special methods for enhancing at fixing handles. Packages with a loop handle different greatest strength and load-carrying capacity. And the more complex pen, the higher the capacity.

Production of packages. If the flexographic printing itself can be called a separate production (printing is placed with the help of sophisticated machines to roll film, from which subsequently cut down package), the silk-screen printing – it is quite expensive, manual technology. And at that, and the other type of printing, of course, has its pluses and minuses. The most significant advantage of screen printing can be considered cost-effectiveness when working with small circulations (50-100 pieces). Furthermore, such an image quality will not give any other type of printing. But, unlike flekosgrafii, using silk-screen printing will fail completely seal the package surface. The fact that the silk-screen printing is a process of forcing ink through the mesh attached to the frame. The frame also has a certain edge width.
Flexography, in turn, is more suitable for customers, wholesalers interested in large print runs – from 50 to 100 thousand units. And this, too, is his explanation. To apply any image will have to produce flexo plates, value, which is not in any way dependent on the run. Available on how much you want to print packages – 100 or 10,000 – to flexo plates have a lot to spend. However, for very large print runs – for example, 500 thousand – flexo cost will not be too hard to beat the pocket. Income from the sale of these packages is more than cover the money spent on flexo plates. But if you want to print using flexography only 5 thousand copies have to be prepared for the fact that this entire edition will cost much less than the actual flexo.
However, an experienced manufacturer always able to help your client to save even flexo. Without losing quality. “In such situations, we try to optimize the design of the image so that the price of flexo declined several times – said the commercial director of” Kaba Plastik “Igor Bogomolov. – We have even been cases when it was possible to reduce the costs in half. There are many methods. For example, we offer our clients not to use four colors, but only two. Of course, be dispensed with if unnecessary colors in a given situation.