Plastic merchandise bags are sacks or pouches used in commercial and retail settings to store and protect goods and other items. Unlike plastic shopping bags, the phrase merchandise bag more aptly applies to those receptacles in which goods are packaged prior to sale, rather than shopping bags which customers use to more easily carry purchased items from the store. While other materials are often used in the production of bags such as these, plastics are exceedingly popular as they offer protection from moisture in addition to many other environmental contaminants.
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Though not all, many merchandise bags are made of transparent plastics such as low density polyethylene or polypropylene. Consumers and staff members alike can take quick and easy inventory of the items in each bag without opening and resealing them. Translucent, opaque and colored options are also available. No matter the specific color or opacity, many retailers use printed plastic bags to contain their merchandise. Printed bags offer cost-effective advertising as company names and logos are placed on each product. Additional options include decorative printing as well as information pertaining to the contents of a particular bag, such as ingredients, weight, warnings, or sizes. To ensure these labels are correct, many merchandise bags offer a tamper-proof seal or are resealable depending upon the value or nature of the product.
Plastic bags can be manufactured utilizing a number of different techniques. Casting, winding and sheet extrusion are commonly used to create the film needed to produce plastic merchandise bags, but the blown film extrusion method is most preferred. In this process the plastic, no matter the particular type, is melted down into a viscous fluid that is forced through a specially designed die. The die has a hole in the center through which cool air is blown, stretching the resin into a film while at the same time cooling it. This creates a bubble that may then be collapsed and rolled flat for printing or other finishing treatments such as curing or the creation of seals and closures. Retailers must consider the size, shape and capacity of their products before selecting or ordering bags to ensure the proper fit. The tear resistance, strength and durability are also relevant as some items require greater security. Plastic merchandise bags that are used as shopping bags may also have useful features such as drawstring closures or die cut handles for greater customer satisfaction. Despite growing environmental concerns regarding the use of plastic bags, merchandise bags remain popular for display and promotional purposes. Continued research into biodegradable plastics furthers the use of these baggies in virtually every retail industry.