Christmas packaging

Buy from an extensive range of Christmas packaging now, including printed carrier bags to give your customers a Christmas shopping bag treat.

Try this sparkling range of crystal clear display bags to make your products sparkle this Christmas.

Packaging at Christmas

The run-up to Christmas is shopping heaven so, if you're a retailer, make sure you're ready and prepared with all the Christmas packaging you need.

Here's a handy checklist to make sure you're Christmas ready. Have you got all of the following ready for the Christmas super-season?

• Printed carrier bags complete with your very own Christmas design, logo and/or message of goodwill to customers - the perfect way to stand out from the crowd this festive season!
• Printed mailing bags to show your online and delivery customers that you love Christmas (and that you value them choosing to shop with you at Christmas)
• Crystal clear card bags to display all of those lovely Christmas cards you'll be selling
• Glossy display bags to present your lovely Christmas gift bags
• Super high clarity polypropylene sheets to cover your Christmas hampers and other open-top gift boxes
• Clear flower sleeves to wrap and display all those lovely bouquets and Christmas wreaths
• Sweet bags to display all of those tasty chocolate and sweety treats - the perfect stocking filler!
• Gift bottle bags, complete with gift tag, for those delicious liquid presents
• Gift carrier bags for those lucky people who are getting a selection of smaller gifts in one present… and also for those people who just don't have time to be wrapping presents!

Results from recent searches on carrier bags

Strong carrier bags have become a practical part of toiletries and household packing because they cope well with mixed, awkward products that do not sit neatly in a carton. Deodorant cans, washing up liquid bottles and soft paper products all have alternative shapes and weights, so the bag has to transport point loads without splitting at the handles or seam. A decent gauge of polythene suppliers or paper with the proper reinforcement also assists when packs are stacked, picked and moved through a busy warehouse. If the bag is also light, shopping handling fast shows the disadvantage.

A biodegradable carrier bag only works properly when the material matches the job it has been given. Bags manufactured from maize or sugar cane waste can suit light shopping use and short storage periods, nevertheless they still need enough strength, stretch and seal quality to cope with proper handling on a busy shop floor. If the gauge is also low, the bag can tear at the handles or split when packed fast. If the film is also stiff, it feels awkward and slows down packing. The practical selection is to balance compostable intent with daily performance, because a bag that fails at the till creates more waste than it saves.

Large carrier bags have become a practical selection in cafs and shops because they transport heavier mixed purchases without splitting at the handles also fast. For food outlets, the trouble is often not the bag itself nevertheless how it is used: a greasy sandwich box, a hot drink carrier, and a folded napkin pack all behave differently when bundled together. If the handle stretch is poor or the film gauge is also light, the bag can tear on the walk home or slump in the boot of a car. A sturdier bag with decent seal quality and handle strength retains the order together and reduces awkward returns for replacements.

Cheap carrier bags are a poor selection for storing bangles because the thin film gives small shape, poor assist, and almost no protection against scratches. When metal bracelets are tipped into a flimsy bag, they rub together, snag on stitching, and collect dust all time the bag is opened and moved about. A simple hanging or compartmented method retains the parts visible and separate, which saves time when matching a set and reduces handling damage. For small, awkward items, storage should make access easy rather than add another layer of mess.

Buy your promotional carrier bags now!

Promotional carrier bags work well because they turn a simple handing-above item into a visible part of the emblem message. When the print is transparent and the bag material is chosen properly, the bag retains carrying that message long after the first transaction, whether it leaves a shop, a trade stand or a packed event table. The practical point is not only decoration, nevertheless usefulness: a bag that grasps weight, retains its shape and feels decent in the hand is more likely to be kept and reused. That gives the branding a longer life and avoids the waste of a flimsy item that tears at the checkout.

Coloured carrier bags can be turned into a fast seasonal display material when there is small time and almost no budget. Their bright inks give immediate impact, while the film is light enough to twist, scrunch and tape into grass-like shapes or decorative filler for a selling stand. That sort of improvised use works because low-gauge polythene suppliers is easy to handle and can cover a lot of visual space for very small material. The downside is that it requirements care around heat, sharp edges and rough shelving, since thin bag film can split fast. Used sensibly, it offers a cost-effective method to make a display see fuller without calling in additional stock.

Big carrier bags are often chosen because they can grasp a loose mix of items in one load, nevertheless their usefulness relies on how well they cope with weight and handling. A big bag with poor film quality or weak seams can split when it is lifted, particularly if the contents shift and put strain on one corner. In a warehouse or shop floor setting, that means additional damage, mess, and wasted time if the bag is meant for collecting fat returns, dry products, or waste. A properly manufactured bag gives steadier carrying and less failures, which is why gauge and seal quality matter as much as size.

Printed quality carrier bags do above grasp a purchase; they turn a normal handover into a moving reminder of the business behind it. A well-manufactured bag carries print cleanly, retains its shape in use, and survives long enough to be seen outside the shop as well as inside it, which is why bag quality matters as much as the artwork. Cheap film or weak handles can ruin the effect fast, while a decent gauge and sound sealing give a better impression and reduce failures at the point of sale. For a local trader or new beginning-up, that makes the bag part of the client experience rather than only a bit of carrier stock, and that is where the proper value sits.

Low Density Plastic Carrier Bag 15"x18"x3" White

A low-density plastic carrier bag in 15x18x3 inch form suits light shopping packing where a simple transport solution is needed without adding unnecessary weight or cost. The white stop gives a clean see, while the 3 inch side gusset creates a small additional room for boxed products, folded textiles, or mixed small purchases. Low-density film has a softer feel than firmer grades, so it can give a more adequate handhold, nevertheless seal quality and gauge still matter if the bag is expected to cope with sharp corners or repeated handling. That makes it a sensible stock item where practical pack-out matters above appearance alone.

Size 3 Laminated Paper promotional Carrier Bag

A paper promotional carrier bag requirements to do above transport products from till to car park, because it also acts as part of the emblem presentation. Twisted paper tape handles give a neater stop than cost-effective-looking alternatives and normally sit better in the hand, nevertheless they also need proper fixing into the sidewalls if handle pull-out is to be avoided. Board selection matters as much as print quality, since a weak grade can crease, split at the fold, or lose shape once filled. A well-manufactured bag gives clean shopping handling, better shelf appeal, and less returns from damaged gift packs, so the spec has to suit both the product weight and the method it will be carried.

Make the most of Christmas with Christmas packaging

Christmas is a time for giving, so make time to give your company a boost this Christmas through a huge range of Christmas packaging.

People spend more on shopping at Christmas than at any other time of the year and people in the UK spend more on Christmas shopping than any other country in Europe, with an average spend of £350 per shopper (Source: Thisismoney.co.uk, November 2014)

All of this makes the festive period the perfect time to take advantage of all of the different types of Christmas packaging on the market, so here are just a few of ideas for how you can use Christmas packaging to benefit your business this Christmas:

Personalise your carrier bags

Print your very own special edition carrier bags with a Christmas design and advertise your business while spreading the joys of Christmas this yuletide season. Printed carrier bags are the perfect way of advertising your business. You can choose your very own design - perhaps snowflakes or tinsel or a Christmas tree - along with your own branding or logo and perhaps a slogan or Christmas message.

You get to choose the design of the printed carrier bag, so you can use it to advertise your business and get some key messaging out there direct to your target market, whilst also showing your customers how much you love Christmas, which can only be a good thing, right?

Printed carrier bags are available in a range of sizes, in plain or coloured polythene and with a message printed on just one or both sides of the bag, so you can create your very own carrier bag just as you see fit.

Once your design is ready, print up enough to suit your business needs - from just a thousand to hundreds of thousands - and let your customers advertise your business this Christmas as they walk around carrying your fantastic printed carrier bag.

Personalise your mailing bags

If your business needs to send parcels or deliveries out this Christmas then you should get some printed mailing bags, personalised with your very own Christmas-style design. By doing so, your parcel or delivery will stand out from the crowd at a time when mail volume goes through the roof, helping you make a lasting impression with your customer and their family, friends or colleagues.

Just like printed carrier bags, printed mailing bags give you the scope to personalise your mailing in just the way you want. Give the polythene mailer a Christmas design - a snowman or some holly and ivy perhaps, or even some carol singers - and get your branding incorporated into the design. Use your company logo, name, advertising slogans etc to get your business message across this Christmas.

You can even print the mailing bag with helpful customer information like your Christmas opening hours, information on returns and refunds for the Christmas period or perhaps details of your upcoming new year sale.

However your Christmas mail is delivered, whether by courier or through the regular post, a bespoke printed mailing bag is the perfect way to stand out from the crowd this Christmas, to show your customers how professional you are and to spread a bit of Christmas joy while you are at it, which is ever a bad thing!

Add some Christmas sparkle to your displays

Any retailer always wants to display their products in the best way possible but even more so at Christmas, when the retail market is so competitive and any slight improvement to your display can make a big difference. That's where glossy display bags and display film comes in!

Display bags are made from high clarity polypropylene film, which gives any products places inside them a wonderful sheen and makes them sparkle. Display bags come in a range of styles, shapes and sizes to suit a variety products. Some of the more popular ones found at Christmas are greeting card bags (for Christmas cards), sweet bags (for yummy stocking fillers), clothing display bags (for that Christmas jumper) and flower sleeves (for those all-important Christmas bouquets).

Alternatively, crystal clear polypropylene film sold on the roll in a range of widths from 50cm to 70cm can provide the perfect gift wrap for any present and comes in particularly handy for wrapping flowers, bottles or other awkwardly-shaped presents.

Where to buy Christmas packaging

Christmas packaging manufacturers and suppliers include:

Printed Carrier Bags
Printed Carrier Bags is the place to go for your special Christmas carrier bags. Get an instant quote on a range of high quality carriers, printed with your own Christmas design and/or company logo, with prices from just 4p a bag and free UK delivery.
www.printedcarrierbags.com

Cellophane Bags
Put some sparkle into your retail displays this Christmas with crystal clear glossy display bags. Discount Cellophane Bags stock a massive range of high clarity polypropylene bags - the superior alternative to cellophane. From sweet bags to flower sleeves, this is an essential visit for retailers preparing for the festive season.
www.discountcellophanebags.co.uk

Carrier Bags
Every retailer needs carrier bags and never more so than at Christmas, but don't worry, this website has it all covered. From printed carriers to fashion carriers and with every carrier in between, there only site you need to visit is Carrier Bags.
www.carrierbags.co

Mailing Bags
This fab website doesn't just specialise in mailing bags - their fantastic Christmas Bags section contains tonnes of useful information about Christmas packaging, including printed carriers, display bags and greeting card bags, plus where to buy them!
www.buy-mailing-envelopes.co.uk

Greeting Card Bags
Catering for all your Christmas card needs, Discount Greetings Card Bags is the only website you'll need for super shiny greeting card bags. Give your Christmas cards some added sparkle - and any other greeting cards for that matter.
www.discountgreetingscardbags.co.uk

Ten things heard in conversations about carrier bags

Strong carrier bags have to do above simply see robust on a shelf. The proper test is how they behave once a load is dropped in, carried through a car park, and held by the handle for longer than expected. A bag with decent gauge, sensible seal quality and enough stretch in the film or paper structure can cope with sharp corners, uneven weight and the rough handling that happens in daily use. Thin material may save a small stock and warehouse space, nevertheless it often brings split seams and client complaints. A properly specified bag reduces handling damage and retains the contents together until they reach the front door.

A biodegradable carrier bag only earns its place when the material still behaves properly through filling, carrying and short-term storage. Bags manufactured from crop by-products can see like a simple swap for polythene suppliers, nevertheless the proper test is whether the film grasps its gauge, seals cleanly and survives handling without splitting at the handles or gussets. If the bag is also soft, it can distort on packing lines and slow dispatch; if it is also brittle, it may fail in the shop or in the boot of a vehicle. A superb specification balances use-life with the point at which breakdown beginnings, and that balance determines whether the pack is accepted or wasted.

Large carrier bags become a problem when they are used as poor secondary packing for mixed contents. Soft polythene suppliers will stretch below weight, so a bag that looked manageable at the till can bulge badly once jars, tins, chilled products and loose items are all thrown together. That makes carrying awkward and increases the chance of split handles, scuffed packs and dropped products in the car park or on the method to store rooms. Warehouses and shops see the same issue when bags are overfilled at select-face or amid fast checkout work. A firmer pack format, or at least better load control, retains the consignment tidy and reduces handling damage.

Cheap carrier bags still have a proper place in shopping because the job is simple: grasp mixed products securely for a short journey without wasting material. For grocery shops and other high-turnover counters, a light bag that opens fast and carries a efficient load can be better than a heavy, branded substitute that costs more to make and transport. The key is balance, because a flimsy bag creates spills and complaints, while an above-specified one adds unnecessary plastic and storage bulk. A sensible bag spec saves room in packing, speeds the checkout, and does the job without pretending to be above a carrier.

Promotional carrier bags do above grasp a product, because they shape how securely stock leaves a counter and how the emblem is seen on the method home. A bag that is also flimsy, badly sealed or awkward to transport can split below load, which means handling damage, wasted stock and a poor client experience all at once. Paper, polythene suppliers and non-woven options each behave differently in the hand and in transit, so the board grade or film gauge requirements to match the products inside. Strong handles, consistent print and proper seal quality make the job easier for shop staff as well. The proper bag transports cleanly through packing and gives a tidy stop at the point of sale.

Coloured carrier bags work well as low-cost decoration because the material already brings colour and body without needing printing or additional stop. In packing terms, they behave more like light polythene suppliers than flimsy wrapping, so they can be cut into shapes, tied, or stitched into bunting without falling apart at the first pull. That makes them useful for temporary displays, event dressing, or shop-floor notices where appearance matters nevertheless the spend has to stay modest. They also store flat and take small room in a stock cupboard, which is useful for short-notice jobs. When a simple item can be turned into a visible feature, waste drops and the result feels more considered.

Big carrier bags do above grasp purchases, because they often shape how a shopping trip is judged once the parcels leave the counter. A robust bag with a decent handle spread retains garments, shoes, and boxed products together without digging into the hand or splitting at the fold, while a flimsy one can ruin the experience before the client acquires home. Finishing matters as well: a clean print, superb board or film gauge, and a sensible size all recommend care at the point of sale. If the bag feels awkward, the all purchase can seem less special, even when the products are fine.

Quality carrier bags need to be chosen for the job as much as for the see of the bag, because handle type, board grade and stop all affect how well the pack survives on the shop floor and amid carrying. Twisted paper handles give a better grip and normally suit heavier shopping contents, while flat tape handles can work well for lighter loads and faster packing. Paper carrier bags also bring a useful selling point for organizations that want a more familiar, recyclable feel without moving into flimsy material. The main question is frequently whether the bag will grasp its shape, retain the contents secure and avoid handle failure before the client acquires home. A bag that suits the load properly saves complaints and waste.

A plastic carrier bag used for library trips requirements to do above transport books; it has to grasp weight, stay usable, and still feel appropriate for the setting. Light-gauge film may see tidy, nevertheless if the handle area is weak or the seal is poor, the bag can split below the load of a hardback or a bundle of borrowed titles. Better bag spec balances print quality with practical strength, so the artwork does not distract from basic performance. A tidy, well-manufactured carrier also assists a library present books cleanly at issue and return. That makes the bag part of the service, not only a throwaway item.

A promotional carrier bag has to do above transport a purchase, because it also speaks for the shop all time it leaves the counter. Printed bags need the proper material and gauge for the load, otherwise handles stretch, seals split, or the side gussets buckle before the client reaches home. A decent specification also takes record of print quality, since a sharp emblem on a flimsy bag still sees weak. In practice, the optimal result comes from matching film strength, handle type, and print stop to the products inside. That retains the bag useful, the branding visible, and the handling complaints down.

Research & Resources

To find out more about the various types of Christmas packaging and the huge role that polythene packaging plays in the retail sector in the run-up to Christmas, please visit:

PackagingKnowledge: The number one online resource for the UK's plastic packaging industry, featuring detailed information on a huge range of Christmas packagining, including display bags and retail bags, plus in-depth articles and analysis on the important role this plays in the festive season.

Goldstork: Free online directory featuring the very best in Christmas packaging websites, including websites on printed carrier bags, specialist greeting card bags websites and others specialising in retail display bags.

PlasticBags.uk.com: This free polythene packaging directory lists an excellent selection of specialist websites for Christmas packaging, including mailing bags, printed carrier bags and glossy display bags. Browse through retailers' product listings and find just the Christmas packaging you need.

Gift bags - the perfect accompaniment to gifts

Don't have time to wrap all your Christmas presents? Not very good at folding the wrapping and end up giving presents coated in a big ball of messy crumpled paper?

Gift bags are just what you - or your customers who meet the description above - are looking for and the perfect way to give presents without having to do any wrapping.

Available in a standard carrier bag shape in a range of sizes, or in a bottle bag shape, to fit a bottle of champagne, wine or spirits, gift bags are made of matt laminated paper bag with luxurious cord handles and a gift tag and are available in a range of sparkly colours.

Just place your present or bottle inside the gift bag - if you really want to impress, you can always wrap it in some coloured tissue or crepe paper first, with no need to fold or wrap - then write a nice Christmas message on the gift tag and hand it over, looking nice and shiny. Simple as that!

Recycle at Christmas

Christmas is a time where packaging is used and disposed of more quickly than at any other time of the year. Around the world, people unwrap presents and take them out of their boxes in their billions, often without a thought for where the packaging ends up.

But much of the packaging we use at Christmas can be recycled or reused, so please consider what you do with the following Christmas packaging before you throw it away:

Wrapping paper - the biggest culprit of all. Make sure you put all your wrapping paper in your paper recycling (you should separate your foil wrapping first)

Wrapping paper rolls - the cardboard tube that wrapping is wrapped around before being dispensed can be placed in the paper recycling

Gift bags - paper gift bags can also be thrown in the paper recycling, along with their gift tags (luxurious rope handles should be removed first)

Box packaging - manufacturers normally put plenty of packaging on products, including many given as gifts. This usually starts with a cardboard box, which can be recycled with the usual paper recycling

Plastic packaging - often the inner-wrapping for a gift, after the cardboard box has been set aside. This can be placed in your plastic recycling.

Christmas cards - you might leave these up for a few days after Christmas (no more than 12 mind you!) but when taken down, they can also go in the paper recycling.

Of course, all recycling depots or collection agents - e.g. councils, private waste disposal companies - have slightly different rules over what can be disposed of as recycling, so always check with your local recycling agent.