So you own a small chain of stores, and want to start making your own plastic bags to give to customers, but you have no idea how plastic bags are made, or where to start? Read on.
How Plastic Bags Are Made
Besides the trimmings, plastic bags are all made in essentially the same way. Plastic shopping bags start as small polyethylene pellets. The pellets are melted and mixed, then extruded into a large plastic tube. The tube is cooled and passed through rollers to flatten it into a sheet. The sheet of folded polyethylene is then rolled and stored until ready to use. One roll can make up to 25,000 plastic bags.
The rolled polyethylene is passed to another machine where it is cut to size and printed with text, logos, and other images. Usually the cutting process seals the edges and sides of the bags, and sometimes incorporates folds or other details. Embellishments like cut-out handles or zipper seals are often added last with FMC bag machines. Parts and equipment for adding the different bag finishes can be purchased separately and your bag machine customized after purchase. The bags are then bound together, packaged, and are ready to use.
Type of Plastic Bag Determines Your Machine Needs
The type of bags you want to make will determine what kind of machines you need to buy. Machines are available to make anything from simple one-piece plastic shopping bags to fancier bags with a string to tie them shut or a zip top to safely seal in contents. There are many reputable manufacturers, with excellent reviews for Hudson Sharp, Sheldahl, and FMC bag machines. Parts are available for all makes and models, both original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and aftermarket parts.
Find and Buy Your Machine
Once you know what kind of machine you need, you can start studying different models and identifying sources. Online vendors are a great source for pricing and research, or for a more personalized experience and some professional advice you can contact vendors directly, like FMC bag machines. Parts are also important to stockpile, and here is where online shopping really comes in handy. While each manufacturer will offer replacement parts for purchase, there are companies that manufacture replicas of OEM parts and sell these aftermarket parts at a lower price.
Ready to make some bags, perhaps with FMC bag machines? Parts of your current business could even be financed by selling plastic bags made with your fmc bag machine. Parts are readily available, both OEM and aftermarket – use this guide to get you started.
