The Ultimate Guide to Plastic Garment Bags: Types, Uses & Benefits
Presentation and protection of apparel are essential in the fashion and related industries. Whether you are a fashion retailer, dry cleaner, or uniform supplier, the packaging you choose will help preserve the product quality, enhance customer experience, and promote your brand. One of the most reliable and cost-effective packaging solutions in the industry today is the plastic garment bag. It is a simple and versatile option that delivers durability, affordability, and visibility. This post discusses the different types of plastic garment bags, their benefits, and ideal uses of plastic garment bags and offers tips on choosing the right one for your business.

Benefits of Using Garment Protection Bags

Plastic garment bags are more than just covers; rather, they are essential tools that help protect, organize, and present clothing professionally. These bags:
  • Help Prevent Damage: Garment protection bags help keep freshly pressed garments free from dust and damage during transport, storage, and handling.
  • Help Prevent Wrinkles: Plastic garment bags ensure customer orders stay neat, clean, and ready to wear. They help reduce creases and wrinkles, especially for delicate fabrics and formal wear.
  • Help With Effective Garment Storage and Organization: Plastic garment bags help keep closets organized, making it easier to find and access clothing. They prevent garments from damages or wrinkles during storage.
  • Are Lightweight: These bags are lightweight and easy to use. They do not add to the product’s weight and doesn’t add up to freight costs. Options like perforated rolls or hanger-friendly designs boost workflow efficiency.
  • Help Extended Lifespan: Garment protection bags protect a customer’s wardrobe from damage, contributing to its longevity.
  • Offer High Branding Potential: Custom printed bags can turn simple packaging into a marketing opportunity. Every time a customer leaves your store or receives a delivery, your brand travels with them.
  • Are Cost-Effective: Plastic garment bags are an affordable packaging solution for businesses of all sizes. With bulk ordering options, companies can save even more without compromising on quality.

Types of Plastic Garment Bags for Every Need

Plastic garment bags come in various styles, each tailored to different business needs and workflows:
  • Dry Cleaning Garment Bags: As the name suggests, these plastic garment bags are used by dry cleaning services to protect dry cleaned cloths from dust, moisture, and wrinkles during transport and storage. Typically made from lightweight, clear plastic, dry-cleaning poly bags are designed to fit individual clothing items like shirts, pants, and dresses.
  • Suit and Long Garment Bags: These bags are ideal for storing long suits, gowns, coats, and uniforms. They provide full-length coverage, shielding the entire garment from top to bottom.
  • Perforated Roll Garment Bags: These garment protection bags come on a perforated roll for quick-tear off and are designed for speed and convenience. They are used for packaging and storage during high-volume operations like commercial laundries or eCommerce fulfillment centers.
  • Custom Printed Garment Bags: Do you know people love stocking customized printed garment bags as a keepsake! If you are considering long-term attention, investing in a good-quality plastic garment bag printed with your company’s logo, tagline, or contact information may sound like a wise decision. These are great for marketing your business while enhancing presentation.

Businesses That Use Plastic Garment Bags

Plastic garment bags are versatile and possess universal appeal, which is why they are widely used by many businesses, including
  • Dry Cleaning Services: They protect freshly cleaned clothes and help maintain their presentation.
  • Fashion Retailers: Custom garment bags allow fashion retailers to package garments professionally and promote their brand.
  • E-commerce & Online Apparel Stores: These businesses rely on custom-printed garment bags to ensure clothing arrives in perfect condition.
  • Uniform Suppliers: Uniform suppliers use plastic garment bags to package uniforms and keep them clean, sorted, and ready for distribution.
  • Hospitality & Hotels: They use plastic bags to deliver guest uniforms or staff garments in a neat, organized fashion.

How to Choose the Right Garment Bag for Your Business

There is an abundance of variety when it comes to plastic garment bags. Choosing the right one from them can be challenging. The following are key factors to consider when choosing plastic garment bags:
  • Know Your Garment Type: You would agree that different garments would require different types of protection. For instance, lightweight bags in 0.5-0.75 mil are great for short-term use like light retail storage or dry cleaning, medium weight bags in 1-2 mil work best for suits, coats, dresses, and offer protection during transportation or long-term storage. Heavy-duty garment bags in 2.5 mil or up are suited for higher-end garments or shipping. These bags are also ideal for storing garments in harsher conditions.
  • Size and Fit: What type of garments do you plan to store. For instance, do you plan to package shirts, gowns, suits or any other clothing? Once you are sure, you should measure the length of your garment, such as 40", 54", 72", and so on. Next, measure their width, as most bags are available in standard widths around 21"–24". However, if you are planning to package oversized clothes, you may need wider options. Gusseted bags may be the perfect fit for storing bulky items like wedding dresses or coats.
  • Material: Most garment bags are made from materials like Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), and Biodegradable or recycled plastics.
    1. Polyethylene is common, cost-effective, and flexible, which makes it ideal for general use.
    2. Polypropylene is rigid, yet clearer and mostly used for presentation of high-end garments.
    3. Biodegradable plastic bags are ideal for businesses that pursue eco-friendly branding.
  • Clarity and Finish: Your decision on clarity and finish would depend on the bag’s purpose. For instance, high-clarity or crystal-clear bags are ideal for retail presentation, where customers make a buying decision after seeing the garment neatly stored in these bags. Frosted or low-clarity bags are ideal for shipping or backroom storage.
  • Customization: You can consider adding your brand logo or other business information on the bag. You can check with the supplier, if they can offer printed garment bags with warnings, brand info or holes.
  • Special Features to Consider: There are several features to consider when investing in these bags, such as:
    1. Vent Holes: These holes prevent moisture buildup during transport or storage.
    2. Perforations: They are suited for easy dispensing in dry cleaning operations.
    3. Sloped or Straight Shoulders: The sloped
  • Bulk Ordering: Wholesale garment bags help you save money and ensure you have the stock needed to meet daily demands without delay.

Why Choose Universal Plastic for Your Garment Bag Needs?

When it comes to partnering with a reliable supplier of plastic garment bags, Universal Plastic stands out with decades of experience and a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Here's why businesses trust Universal Plastic:
  • Premium Quality Materials: The garment bags are made from quality materials to withstand daily handling.
  • Customization Options: The bags are offered in different sizes and can be customized with logos that reflect your brand.
  • Competitive Pricing: These plastic garment bags are offered in affordable rates with bulk discounts available.
  • Fast, Reliable Shipping: The team at Universal Plastic assures Keep your operations moving with timely deliveries.

Protect, Present & Promote Your Apparel with High-Quality Plastic Garment Bags

Ready to upgrade your packaging with durable, branded, and cost-effective plastic garment bags? Universal Plastic has the products and expertise to support your business. Explore our full selection of garment bags today and see how the right packaging can make a lasting impression on your customers, while protecting your garments and keeping your operations efficient.