Basis Weight
The weight in pounds of a ream (500 sheets) of paper to a given standard size for that grade; e.g., 500 sheets, 25” x 30”, of 70 pound white kraft shopping bag paper would weigh 70 pounds.
Bridge Handle Bag
A bag with brief case style handles that snaps closed. Made from hard rigid plastic, it is heat sealed to top of bag and can be described as “Snap Loop” or “Carrier Style”.
Clay Coat
Bleach kraft paper that is coated with a liquid application of kayolin clay in the manufacturing process to provide a gloss finish. Clay coated papers are used when high quality color and print detail are specified. Trade names are known as “Crystalcote”, “Higlo”, and “Radiant Coat”.
Convert
The process in which plain or pre-printed paper or poly film is mechanically- machined or hand made into a fully finished or partially finished bag.
Coupon Bag
A Fold Over Die Cut style with a 3” perforated coupon at the bag bottom.
Double Wall Bag
A bag that is made out of two layers of poly film. The outer layer is usually clear.
Draw Closure Bag
Closure for this bag is made from either a choice of poly tape or cotton string.
These materials are inserted through a heat sealed fold-over hem at the top of the bag.
Emulsion Side
The side of the photographic film that is coated with a silver halide emulsion.
Face/Back
The main panel(s) of the bag. Front is considered where the primary design or message appears. Back is utilized for the same imprint or for a secondary imprint. Front and back are differentiated when there are side and bottom gussets. The back is identified where the fold of the bottom gusset occurs.
Flat Bag
Poly bag that has no side or bottom gussets. Can be made with or without a die cut handle.
Fold Over Die Cut Handle Bag
Poly bag in which the material at the top of the bag is folded over to the inside and heat sealed. Fold over reinforcement provides double reinforcement around entire top. Handle is an oval cut out within the fold over area.
Gusset
The side and/or bottom measurements of a paper or poly bag.
High Density Plastic
A type of plastic typically having a stiffer feel or mil thickness.
Kraft/Brown
A paper containing unbleached wood pulp, brown in color, made by the sulfite process.
Also referred to as “Natural Kraft”.
Kraft/White
Brown kraft paper that is put through a bleaching process.
Lamination
A plastic film bonded by heat and pressure to a printed sheet for protection or appearance.
Can be supplied as gloss or matte finish.
Litter Bags
A poly bag style usually seen with a round cut hole at the top for hanging in automobiles. Also offers the convenience of a side opening. Typical size is 9” x 12”, however other sizes of choice can be made. Also available with a perforated coupon at the bottom.
Low Density Plastic
A type of poly film typically feeling softer and having more gloss and elasticity to it.
Most popular as base material for fold over die cuts, soft loop handles, draw closures and litter bags.
Matte Finish
Flat paper finish with out gloss or luster..
Micron
The metric measurement used to describe the thickness of poly.
One micron is one one-thousandth of a mil.
Opacity
The property of paper or poly film that minimizes the show-through of printing from the