Understanding Lip and Tape Flap Seal Bags
How the Adhesive Flap Works
These bags feature a 1.5" flap with adhesive strip protected by a peel-off release liner. To use: insert product, peel the protective strip, fold the flap down, and press to seal. The adhesive creates a secure closure that can be reopened and resealed multiple times. No heat sealer required—simply peel and press.
The resealable adhesive maintains its tack through multiple open-close cycles, allowing customers to access contents and reseal the bag. This makes them ideal for retail environments where customers may want to examine products before purchase or for items that require repeated access.
When to Choose Lip and Tape Flap Seal Bags
High Presentation Value Without Heat Sealing
Choose these bags when you need professional retail presentation without investing in heat sealing equipment. The crystal-clear polypropylene film showcases products effectively while the adhesive flap provides a clean, professional closure. Perfect for operations that:
- Need quick packaging without equipment investment
- Want resealable functionality for customer convenience
- Require product visibility for retail display
- Package items that don't require oxygen or moisture barriers
- Value presentation appearance over barrier protection
Short Shelf Life Food Applications
For food products with short time windows between production and sale, these bags provide adequate protection without the barrier properties of heat-sealed packaging. Examples include:
Bakery operations: Individual cookies, brownies, biscotti, and baked goods sold within 24-48 hours. The bags protect from handling while allowing product visibility. When products move quickly from oven to customer, extended shelf life barriers aren't necessary.
Food service: Grab-and-go items, same-day prepared foods, samples, and promotional items where turnover is rapid.
These bags are FDA compliant and meet USDA specifications for direct food contact under paragraph 177.1520 of Title 21 CFR. They comply with California Proposition 65 and all applicable CONEG heavy metal restrictions.
Print and Graphics Operations
Print shops, graphic designers, and photography studios use these bags for protecting and presenting finished work:
- Art prints and photographs: Protects from fingerprints and dust while showcasing artwork clearly
- Greeting cards and stationery: Professional presentation for retail or client delivery
- Certificates and documents: Keeps important papers clean and presentable
- Marketing materials: Protects brochures, flyers, and promotional items
The resealable feature allows clients to remove items for inspection while maintaining protective packaging for storage or transport.
E-Commerce and Retail Packaging
Online sellers and retail operations use these bags for products requiring visibility and protection:
- Apparel and accessories: T-shirts, scarves, small clothing items, jewelry
- Craft and hobby items: Beads, buttons, small craft supplies, sewing notions
- Retail merchandising: Point-of-sale displays where product visibility drives purchasing decisions
- Gift items: Small gifts, promotional products, retail bundling
The professional appearance and resealable functionality add perceived value while keeping packaging costs reasonable.
When NOT to Use These Bags
Extended Shelf Life Food Products
These bags do not provide the oxygen and moisture barriers of heat-sealed packaging. For food products requiring:
- Shelf life beyond 48-72 hours
- Protection from moisture absorption or loss
- Oxygen barrier properties to prevent staleness
- Tamper-evident sealing for food safety
Consider our heat-sealable options: BOPP cello bags for heat sealing or stand-up barrier pouches for extended shelf life applications.
Heavy or Sharp-Edged Products
The 1.5-1.6 mil thickness provides adequate protection for lightweight items but is not designed for:
- Products with sharp edges or corners that could puncture the film
- Heavy items exceeding recommended weight capacity
- Products requiring heavy-duty tear resistance
For heavier-duty applications, see our reclosable poly bags available in 2-6 mil thicknesses.
Material Properties and Specifications
100% Virgin Polypropylene Construction
Manufactured from virgin polypropylene resin (not recycled content) ensuring consistent clarity and strength. Polypropylene offers several advantages:
- High clarity: Excellent transparency for product visibility
- Good stiffness: Bags maintain shape and stand upright when filled
- Moisture resistance: Protects from light moisture exposure and handling
- No corrosive materials: Safe for archival storage of photos and documents
Adhesive Performance
The pressure-sensitive adhesive on the flap provides:
- Secure initial closure with firm press
- Multiple open-close cycles without adhesive degradation
- Clean removal without residue on products
- Consistent tack across varying temperatures (normal room temperature range)
Construction Details
- Thickness: 1.5-1.6 mil film
- Lip (flap) size: 1.5 inches
- Bottom seal: Heat-sealed bottom edge
- Tolerance: Dimensions may vary 1/16" to 1/8" due to manufacturing tolerances
- Opening orientation: First dimension listed is the opening (width)
Size Selection Guide
Available Size Range
Bags range from 4.125" x 5.75" (smallest) to 12" x 18" (largest), providing options for various product sizes:
Small sizes (4-5" wide): Greeting cards, photos (4x6, 5x7), small cookies, jewelry, craft supplies
Medium sizes (6-9" wide): Documents, certificates, larger prints, apparel items, bakery assortments
Large sizes (10-12" wide): Multiple items, larger prints or photos, clothing, bulk portions
How to Measure
Bag dimensions are listed as Width x Length, where width is the opening dimension. Measure your product at its widest and longest points, then add:
- Width: Add 1/2" minimum for easy insertion
- Length: Add 2" minimum to account for the product plus the 1.5" flap that folds over
Example: For a 5x7 photo print, choose at least 5.5" x 9" bag (allows 1/2" width clearance + 2" length for flap).
Adjustable Length Feature
You can adjust the effective length by varying how far you insert the product before sealing. A 12" bag can effectively become a 10" or 11" bag by not inserting the product fully, then folding the excess length into the flap seal. This provides flexibility when you're between standard sizes.
Comparison to Alternative Bag Types
Lip & Tape Flap Seal vs. Heat-Seal Cello Bags
Choose lip & tape when: No heat sealer equipment, resealable access needed, short shelf life adequate, quick packaging workflow important
Choose heat-seal cello when: Extended shelf life required, tamper-evident seal needed, oxygen/moisture barrier critical, permanent seal preferred
Heat-sealed bags provide superior barrier properties but require equipment investment and create permanent closures.
Lip & Tape Flap Seal vs. Reclosable Zip Bags
Choose lip & tape when: Professional retail presentation critical, product visibility paramount, smooth closure appearance preferred
Choose reclosable zip when: Frequent access required, heavier items, thicker material needed, more durable closure desired
Zip-top bags offer more robust closure but have visible zipper mechanism that may detract from presentation.
Case Quantities and Ordering
All sizes packaged 1,000 bags per case. This quantity provides adequate inventory for small to medium operations while keeping costs reasonable. For high-volume operations using hundreds of bags daily, consider ordering multiple cases to maintain stock levels.
Bags are packaged in convenient case quantities for storage and handling. Cases stack easily for warehouse storage without crushing bags inside.
Regulatory Compliance
These bags meet rigorous safety and food contact standards:
- FDA Compliance: Meets FDA requirements for direct food contact packaging
- USDA Specifications: Approved materials under paragraph 177.1520 of Title 21 CFR
- California Proposition 65: Compliant with California safety standards
- CONEG Standards: Meets all applicable heavy metal restrictions
- No restrictions: Approved for use in direct food contact with no limitations
Suffocation warning printed on bags as required by safety regulations for consumer product packaging.
Usage Tips for Best Results
Proper Sealing Technique
- Insert product into bag, ensuring it sits below where flap will fold
- Peel protective strip from adhesive completely
- Fold flap down smoothly, avoiding wrinkles
- Press firmly across entire flap width to activate adhesive
- Run finger or flat tool across seal to ensure full contact
Storage Conditions
Store unused bags in original case in cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. Adhesive maintains optimal performance at normal room temperatures (60-75°F). Extreme heat or cold may affect adhesive tack.
Presentation Enhancement
For retail display, consider:
- Adding printed labels or stickers over the seal area for branding
- Using colored backing cards inside bags to enhance product presentation
- Arranging bags in display racks or bins for easy customer browsing
- Grouping similar items in consistent bag sizes for professional appearance
Alternative Packaging Options
If lip and tape flap seal bags don't fit your specific needs, consider:
Questions About Lip and Tape Flap Seal Bags?
Need samples? Request samples to test with your products before ordering full cases.
Not sure which size? Call 800-569-1266 (M-F 8:30-5 EST) to speak with our packaging specialists.
Large volume needs? Contact us for contract pricing on recurring orders.
