Packaging Terminology

Antiblock - Routinely added to film and bags to keep the sheets from sticking together.

Anti-static - Material contains an additive that prevents or inhibits the buildup of static electricity.

Auto Bags - Continuous poly bags are perforated on rolls with a slit-front opening. The slit-front offers quick and easy product insertion.

Bags on a Roll - Continuous poly bags are perforated on rolls. The bags need to be torn off to open.

Barrier Film - Specially formulated film typically used to extend the shelf life of food products. Prevents transmission of moisture and gases.

Biodegradable - A material that is capable of undergoing decomposition into simple compounds such as carbon dioxide, methane, water, inorganic compounds and biomass. The predominant mechanism for decomposition is the enzymatic action of micro-organisms. There are no requirements regarding residues or time to breakdown.

Bottom Seal Bags - Poly bags cut individually from seamless tubing, then sealed on the bottom. This process normally leaves a skirt or a tail above the seal. Strongest seal available.

BPI - (Biodegradable Products Institute) The U.S. standard in compostability. The BPI Logo Program is designed to certify and identify plastic products that will biodegrade and compost satisfactorily in actively managed compost facilities. The BPI and US Composting Council (USCC) use American Society for Testing and Materials Specifications (ASTM) to approve products for their “Compostable Logo” effort. These specifications are the result of 8 years of intensive work by researchers, product manufacturers, composters, and resin producers to identify plastic and paper products, which disintegrate and biodegrade completely and safely when composted in a municipal or commercial facility, like kraft paper, yard trimmings and food scraps. In order to be BPI certified, products must meet ASTM D6400 or D6868 standards based on testing in approved independent laboratories.

Blown Film - The most common method of producing film and bags. Resin is melted in the extrusion process and blown vertically into a bubble to cool.

Cast Film - Extruded in sheet form through a slotted die.

Clarity - Bags that are described with high-clarity refer to the exceptional clearness of the material.

Compostable - Capable of undergoing biological decomposition in a compost site as part of an available program, such that the material is not visually distinguishable from other compost and breaks down into carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass, at a rate consistent with known compostable materials (usually 90 days). These compostable materials leave no toxic residue.

Door Knob Bags - 1 ½" hole just below the top of the bag allows for the bag to be hung over a door knob.

Electrically Conductive - Poly that has carbon additives for exterior protection against damaging static charges.

Embossed - Raised pattern or texture on the material which aids in gripping, especially for wet items. Commonly seen in poly gloves and aprons.

EVA - An additive, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, adds strength and improves sealability. For use in cold temperatures to prevent breakage.

Faraday Cage - prevents the entry (interior) or escape (exterior) from static and other charges.

Flap Lock - Bag has lip folded back with side seals. Commonly known as a sandwich bag.

Flat Bags - Length and width measure these two-dimensional bags.

Flexographic Print - Print that is solid colored - also known as line art. Each color requires a separate plate to print a solid color.

Gauge - Refers to the thickness of a material. Also referred to as the mil. The smaller the gauge, the thinner or lighter the material.

Gusseted Bags - The gusset is the expandable pleat on the side of the bag. A gusseted bag, unlike a flat bag, has three dimensions - width, length and depth. The gusset refers to the depth.

Header Bags - Side-weld bag with continuous seal along top, 2"-3" below fold. Bag is loaded and sealed from the bottom and typically has a hang hole.

High Density Polyethylene - Up to three times stronger and more durable than traditional polyethylene of the same thickness. Performs well under extreme temperature. Offers superior vapor and moisture protection which helps to confine odors. Also non-porous. Not recommended for sharp or jagged objects.

Hot Stamp Printing - Thermal bonding process that results in the permanent adhesion of the print to the bag.

Linear Low Density Polyethylene - Superior stretch properties provide maximum puncture and tear resistance. Stronger than traditional low density material and non-porous. Better clarity than high density material

Lip - Extension or extra material on one side of a bag, which makes it easier to open the bag and for product insertion.

Low Density Polyethylene - Original all-purpose film which is flexible, durable and resistant to most chemicals. Porous material with good clarity.

M - Per thousand. Generally used in reference to pricing, such as $25.00/m.

Metallocene - Resin with physical properties that allow for down gauging. End result is increased strength in thinner gauges and more tear and puncture resistance at a lower cost than traditional low density polyethylene.

Mil - Refers to the thickness of a material. Also referred to as the gauge. Each mil is equal to 1/1000 of an inch. The higher the mil (gauge), the thicker the material.

Natural Kraft - Unbleached paper in its natural form - brown in color.

Oxo-Degradable - Often mistakenly called Oxo-Biodegradable, it is a plastic made from fossil fuels that has been treated with an additive that allows it to disintegrate over time through interaction with microbes. The chemical structure of the plastic is broken down with the help of oxygen and heat or sunlight, and then the smaller particles are utilized by micro-organisms as food. They do not pass ASTM 6400 regulations, however, because they do not degrade as quickly as the definition requires. They compost well and are safe for landfills.

Polypropylene - Crystal like clarity. Rigid and stronger than polyethylene. Deters evaporation and dehydration as well as extending shelf life. Provides excellent vapor and moisture barrier to lock in freshness.

Random Print - A repeating print that appears in full on a bag at least once. A partial print may be visible on either side of the full print.

Reclosable Bag - Also referred to as zipper bags or seal top bags. Zipper closure can be opened and closed repeatedly with slight finger pressure.

Recyclable - A product or package that can be collected, separated or otherwise recovered from the solid waste stream for reuse. The term may also be applied to the manufacture or assembly of another package or product through an established recycling program. Claims of recyclability should be qualified to the extent necessary to avoid consumer deception about any limited availability of recycling programs and collection sites.

Registered Print - The print shows up in the same spot on every bag in a production run.

Renewable Resource - A natural resource that can be replenished by natural processes at a rate comparable or faster than its rate of consumption by humans or other users. Renewable resources may also mean commodities such as wood, paper, and leather.

Side Weld Bags - Poly bags are sealed on the sides, unlike the bottom sealed bags which are sealed on the bottom. There is no skirt or tail on side weld bags.

Slip - Additive which keeps bags from sticking together. Helps reduce slippage when stacking.

Star Seal - Manufactured by folding the bottom of a liner over several times and then sealing it, making a star shaped design. This type of construction virtually eliminates leaks. Also make liners conform better to the shape of the waste receptacle or container by spreading the refuse around the can liner.

Static Shielding - Multi-layer construction offers Faraday Cage protection for the interior and exterior of the bag, which means static charges are stopped on the inside as well as the outside of the bag. Provides longer and greater protection than anti-static bags.

Tensile Strength - The force required to pull something to the point where it breaks. Specifically, the tensile strength of a material is the maximum amount of stress that it can be subjected to before failure.

UVI - An additive, Ultra Violet Inhibitor, prolongs the life of the bag when exposed to sunlight..

VCI - Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors.

Wicketed Bag - Side weld bags are mounted on a heavy wire wicket placed through two holes in lip for fast and easy manual loading.