Courier Bags
Are also known as – mailer bags, tamper proof courier bags, security bags, tamper evident bags, poly mailer bags, self-adhesive bags & E-commerce bags.
They are plastic packaging bags, that act as a protective cover over the item during logistics. Each bag is made of multiple layers of plastic, is sealed on 3 sides and has only one opening.
This opening is where the self-adhesive flap is located. Once an item is placed inside the bag, the self-adhesive strip is removed and the flap is lowered over the bag, sealing it shut.
The bag is now protected from environmental factors like water, dust, moisture, dirt etc.
Additionally, the consignment inside is now easier to handle and safe from smudges & fingerprints arising from logistics.
The Primary Specifications
While there may be many technical specifications involved when you’re buying bags for a large global enterprise. For most Start-ups, SME’s & E-commerce businesses, there are only a few key parameters that really matter. We are going to keep it simple and give you the 5 most important factors that you need to keep in mind when ordering courier bags.
1) Dimensions of the bag
This one seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how many entrepreneurs are still unclear about the size of courier bags they should purchase.
The main specifications of a courier bag are its length and breadth (L x B)
One way to approach it is to measure all your products and decide the size that best fits all your products. This is effective when most of your products are relatively the same size. Eg.
– Mobile Phones, Perfumes & the fashion industry
– Mobile Phones, Perfumes & the fashion industry
PRO TIP : Categorize your products into 3 to 5 groups according to physical size. Determine the bag size that can work for each product group/category. Now you have standardized 3 to 5 sizes of courier bags that work for your entire product range!
2) Thickness
The thickness of courier bags generally varies between 40 microns to 100+ microns, depending on the industry. Increasing or decreasing the thickness of the bag has a big effect on its pricing.
Fun Fact : The thickness of a courier bag is measured in the unit of microns.
1 micron = 0.000001 meter; the diameter of a human hair is 17 microns!
1 micron = 0.000001 meter; the diameter of a human hair is 17 microns!
E-commerce Companies usually prefer between 50-60 microns for their courier bags, as it provides ample protection for their products and is very budget friendly.
Bags with 60 + microns have a more premium and luxurious feel and are recommended for companies where a premium / high-end product perception is desired.
Bags with 60 + microns have a more premium and luxurious feel and are recommended for companies where a premium / high-end product perception is desired.
PRO TIP : If you just need a simple solution for shipping products, stick to standard 50-60-micron bags that are easy to find & buy online. Go for thicker bags (65+ microns) ONLY if your branding strategy warrants it.
3) Bag Base Color
Colored Courier bags are a great way to distinguish yourself from the competition. While the most common type of bag is the Grey/Grey-White, most manufacturers can color them as well. Colored bags are commonly manufactured only in large volumes & cost slightly more.
PRO TIP : Colored Bags are commonly at their lowest price point at volumes of 5K-10K bags. Plan your packaging strategy accordingly. If your product demand is high, then one could consider colored bags. If your product demand is unknown, stick to Grey-White.
4) Printing Content Complexity
The printing content of the bag is different from the base color of the bag. The printing content includes the logo, name, website, social links, usage instructions and any other content required on the bag. When the content for printing is entirely in one color and relatively simple, it can be manufactured using a technique called screen printing – Which is effective & affordable.
For multi-color or highly detailed content, printing techniques like machine printing, offset printing, gravure, flexo and roto printing are used. These techniques are more advanced than the relatively simple screen printing approach and require a much larger order quantity to manufacture.
PRO TIP : Prepare 2 versions of your logo. One in a single color and one in full color. Use single color printing for your packaging during the startup stage and use full-color printing for packaging material after business starts booming.
POD Jackets are the transparent poly bags which are attached on the outside of the courier bags. These are used quite frequently if you’re running an e-commerce business or a marketplace like Flipkart/Amazon.
These transparent bags are used for the purpose of storing and displaying the order details, delivery address etc. for the buyer and delivery agents reference.
POD jackets are recommended for companies in the ecommerce industry.
If you sell your products via a physical store, then skip the POD jackets. In most cases, You won’t need it, and it reduces the cost of the bags by 10-30% depending on the size.
Multiple Benefits of Courier Bags
Now that you’ve learned the jargon and technical aspects of tamper-proof courier bags, it’s time to learn about their benefits. Whether you're pitching this product to your customers or the purchasing department of your company or the COO, it’s important to know what makes these bags so special & indispensable.
1) Tamper Proof / Tamper Evident
These bags are traditionally made of a special polyethylene plastic called LDPE (low density polyethylene.) This material allows for stretching of the bags but leaves noticeable sagging, which gives a clear indication of any un-wanted attempt to tear open.
These bags also come with a self-adhesive strip to close the mouth of the bag. Once a bag is closed, it cannot be opened without tearing open the bag. The closed bag cannot have items added to it or have items removed from it, making it – tamper proof.
PRO TIP : For an extra layer of security – Consider using tamper-proof marking on the bags edges, or special Void Tape or Security Tape.
2) External / Ambient Protection
The plastic in these courier bags protects the consignment from a variety of ambient factors. These bags are commonly waterproof, dirt proof & dust proof. You can also get special courier bags that protect against – radiation, electromagnetic interferences and extreme temperatures.
For situations where an extra layer of cushion protection is required - bubble lined courier bags are frequently used. These bags have an internal layer of bubble protection and are used for shipping electronics, watches and other small-sized fragile products.
3) Versatility
Courier Bags are one of the most versatile packaging materials to be used around the world. Theycan be manufactured in the smallest of sizes for jewelry, consumer electronics & office stationery to the biggest of sizes for backpacks, desktop computers & heavy equipment’s. No matter the product or the size, you can be assured that these courier bags won’t let you down.
4) Branding
Courier bags are an inexpensive and very effective way to increase brand awareness. These bags can be printed on with any combination of colors & artwork to convey the brands promise, value and message to the customer.
PRO TIP : Tactile branding – For luxury products, it is recommended to go for courier bags of higher thickness (80+ microns) than regular bags. This gives the bag a very premium feel compared to the regular bags. It also gives your brand a unique differentiator to stand out from the competition and leaves a lasting impression on customers.
