[ES] Bags for packaging or presenting your products: Choice guide

Packaging bags, also known as packaging bags, are the luxury sideline of the packaging world. Without taking on the prominence of cardboard boxes or fillers, packaging bags play an indispensable role in both physical and online retail outlets. They improve presentation, facilitate transport, protect goods and are reusable, with the same or different functions. At RAJA® we are aware of the importance of choosing the right bags for your business. According to the report Compras online en España. Edition 2021, elaborated by the National Observatory of Technology and Society (ONTSI), 17.7% of Spanish digital consumers declared having experienced a problem with their online purchases in 2020; in 35.4% of the cases, the cause was that the product arrived damaged or defective. In addition to the outer packaging, a packaging bag can be decisive in preventing this type of mishap. That’s why we want to accompany you and give you the tools you need to make a successful choice – this guide is for you!

What to consider when choosing a conditioning bag?

Five factors are involved in determining which type of bag is right for your company’s activity: the material they are made of, their thickness, the closure system, their impact on the environment and their compliance with the legal regulations in force, such as RD 293/2018 in Spain.

1. Bag manufacturing material

The packaging bags that we can find on the market are mainly made of the following materials:

• Polyethylene. A type of plastic that is very resistant to knocks and the action of water, soft and whose paradigmatic example is shrink film. Commonly used in the industrial sector.
• Polypropylene. Transparent, glossy plastic, recommended for the presentation of products. Widely used in sectors such as fashion and cosmetics. If you want to know more about the differences between polyethylene and polypropylene, see our post.
• Kraft paper. Eco-responsible and with a high tolerance to tears and rips, it is the preferred paper for packaging heavy items or items with sharp edges and for grouping elements, as occurs in copacking, for example.

2. Thickness of bags

The weight of the contents to be contained in the packaging bags is crucial when choosing the thickness of the bags. Depending on this characteristic, bags can be classified into four ranges:

• Less than 30 microns: for packaging light and not very fragile objects.
• 40 to 60 microns: the most common, for medium weights.
• 100 microns: for heavy goods.
• 150 mic rons: for very heavy goods.

3. Closure systems for packaging bags

Depending on their closing system, we can choose between:

• Plastic bags without closurePlastic bags can be left open or used in conjunction with adhesive tapes, ties and seals, or sealed using a sealer or bag sealer.
• Plastic bags with zip closureThe zip bags, very reliable, allow for quick and easy opening.
• Plastic bags with built-in hook-and-loop fastenersThe plastic bags with built-in hook-and-loop fastener, which provides a silent and fast sealing thanks to its fixed or repositionable band.
• Bags with drawstring closures, for example in organza bags for small items.

4. EcoResponsible bags: an environmentally conscious choice

Adopting an EcoResponsible approach in the selection of packaging bags is not limited to the range of kraft paper references. It is also possible to equip yourself with EcoResponsible plastic packaging bags, suitable for 5-R packaging compliance, if they are:

• They are made from recycled raw materials and are themselves recyclable.
• They are reusable for packaging other objects or as part of household chores, for shopping, for creative purposes, etc.
• They are bio-based packaging, made from substances of natural or renewable origin.

5. Implications of RD 293/2018 on the use of packaging bags

RD 293/2018 aims to reduce the consumption of plastic bags in our country in order to promote an EcoResponsible exploitation of resources. This has repercussions on the obligations of businesses with regard to packaging bags, as there are certain formats that cannot, under any circumstances, be given to the customer (although they are allowed for internal handling); and others that can only be provided if a price is charged.

The main implications of RD 293/2018 on trade can be summarised as follows:

• The requirements of the regulation apply to all plastic carrier bags, with or without a handle, dispensed to consumers at points of sale, including e-commerce and home delivery. Plastic mail-order sachets are excluded.
• Lightweight and very light bags (those with a thickness of less than 50 microns) must be made of compostable plastic. The consumer will have to pay for them, unless they are very light bags (less than 15 microns thick) which are essential for hygiene reasons or because they are supplied as primary packaging for bulk foods such as fruit, vegetables, meat or fish.
• Bags with a thickness of 50 microns or more must be made of at least 50% recycled plastic. Shops may offer them free of charge to their customers if this percentage rises to 70%; if this is not the case, they will pass on the cost taking as a reference the indicative prices suggested by RD 293/2018 in its Annex 1.
• The issuing, both free of charge and for a fee, of fragmentable plastic bags is prohibited.

Plastic carrier bags available to consumers in shops and online sales

Plastic carrier bags provided free of charge to consumers	Plastic carrier bags for compulsory charging by retailers
1. Very lightweight compostable plastic bags (<15 µ)	Lightweight compostable plastic bags (thickness ≥15 µ and <50 µ) 2.
Plastic bags ≥50 µ made from a minimum of 70% recycled plastic 2.	Plastic bags ≥50 µ manufactured with a percentage of recycled plastic ≥50% and <70% 3.

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Packaging bags available in the RAJA® online shop.

The range of bags available in the RAJA® online shop complies with RD 293/2018 and is wide enough to cover different business needs. Take a look at our recommendations!

Packaging of light or slightly fragile products

When selling small, light or not very demanding items in terms of protection, opt for plastic bags with a thickness of less than 30 microns, or for kraft or glazed paper solutions.

Plastic packaging bags for medium weights

The packaging of medium weight products requires plastic bags with a thickness between 40 and 60 microns.

Zipper packaging bags

Plastic bags with hook-and-loop fastener

Non-sealable plastic bags for packaging

Bags for heavy goods, sharp-edged or sharp-angled goods

Heavy goods or goods with sharp edges, which can be damaged in transit if no precautions are taken, require robust packaging. The answer lies in 100-150 micron plastic bags and heavy duty paper bags.

Bags for bulky items

Packaging solutions for bulky items include functionalities that adapt to the dimensions of the goods, while requiring a reinforced thickness for the bags.

Shock absorbing bags for handling

When it comes to protecting fragile items or items made up of many small parts, RAJA® introduces you to a great shock absorbing ally that is the key ingredient in this type of packaging bag: bubble wrap.

Packaging bags for products with delicate surfaces

Preventing scratches and ensuring that the surfaces of objects are kept in perfect condition, free from dirt and dust, is possible with packaging bags for delicate items.

Bags for in-store product presentation

Packaging bags designed to display products in front of the customer in physical shops help to enhance the value of the items while preserving them from deterioration due to public display.

Packaging bags for confidential and sensitive shipments

Confidential transaction bags keep contents safe from prying eyes until they reach the recipient.

Bags for electronic and static-sensitive products.

When handling electronics products, it is essential to use anti-static packagingto protect both the integrity of the items and the correct assembly of their circuits against the action of possible static charges.

Bags for temperature sensitive products

For goods that may deteriorate due to temperature fluctuations, or for those that require cold storage, it is advisable to opt for isothermal packaging bags.

In addition to our wide range of packaging and product presentation bags, if you are looking for a tailor-made solution, RAJA® has it! Contact us and we will advise you. And don’t forget to visit our online packaging customisation service, where you can adapt your bags to your brand image by choosing the materials, sizes, colours and printing of corporate elements to your liking. Contact us!