Guides
Polythene packaging guides
Straight answers to the questions we get asked most, written by the people who extrude and convert the film. No jargon, no sales pitch, just what you need to specify the right packaging.
How to choose the right polythene bag
Work through product, weight, sharpness, presentation, sealing method and volume to land on the right polythene bag, gauge and supply format for the job.
Read the guidePolythene thickness explained: micron, gauge and mil
What micron, gauge, mil and millimetres actually mean on a polythene specification, how to convert between them, and how to choose a thickness for the job.
Read the guideRecycled or biodegradable polythene: which should you specify?
An even handed comparison of recycled and biodegradable polythene: what each actually means, where each genuinely helps, and where each is the wrong choice.
Read the guideShrink film, stretch film and pallet covers compared
How stretch film, shrink film and pallet covers each secure or protect a palletised load, what equipment each one needs, and which suits your loads.
Read the guideLayflat tubing explained: one reel, any bag length
What layflat tubing is, how it comes off a blown film line, and why one reel of it makes bags of any length without a new size set-up.
Read the guideHow to use less packaging film without losing protection
A practical guide to taking material and cost out of polythene packaging, covering gauge, polymer blend and bag size, and the points where thinner film is a false economy.
Read the guidePrefer to work it out on screen?
Our free tools cover the same ground interactively: convert between micron, gauge and mil, size a bag with the bag size finder, or work through the product selector. You can also browse the full product range.
Need it made to your exact spec?
We manufacture tailor-made polythene packaging in Blackburn and deliver across the UK. Tell us your numbers and we will quote.