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Bag Closure Types: Complete Guide

Choose the right closure for your packaging needs. Whether you need repeated access with reclosable zippers, quick sealing with lip and tape, or secure drawstring closures, Prism Pak offers FDA compliant bag closures at wholesale prices with fast shipping.

Key benefits: Food-safe materials • Wholesale bulk pricing • Same-day shipping • Free delivery on orders $300+

Open End Twist Tie Closure

The common open end poly bag can be closed with twist ties or heat sealed when filled. Twist ties allow the bag to be opened repeatedly with attention to re-tying the twist. Commonly used with bread and pastry bags.

Seal Top Reclosable

This common and popular zip-type closure where tracks in the opening of the bag are finger-pressed together for a secure closure. These closures allow for constant opening and closing for repeated access to the contents. These closures can be found in our zip top poly bags as well as stand up pouches. Commonly used in general transport and storage of food items.

Slide Seal Reclosable or Zipper Seal

This is another common and popular closure where tracks in the opening of the bag are pressed together by a slider mechanism attached to the bag opening for a secure closure. These closures allow for constant opening and closing for repeated access to the contents and they are especially easy to use with gloved hands. Commonly used in general transport and storage of food items.

Lip and Tape Adhesive Closure

Lip and Adhesive Tape Closure is another way bags are closed. The extended lip of one side of the bag has an adhesive tape that when folded over on the other side of the bag, effectively closes the bag. Commonly used in polypropylene sandwich and snack bags.

Lip and Flip Closure

An extended lip with a reverse pocket allows the bag to be held by the lip and flipped backwards and pulled down to effect the closing of the bag in one operation. Fast and convenient. Commonly used in poly sandwich bags.

Drawstring Closure

Drawstring closure bags allow easy access and also repeated access if needed. Drawstring closures are commonly used for ice bags.

How to Choose the Right Bag Closure Type

What are the most common plastic bag closure types?

There are six main plastic bag closure types: seal top reclosable (zip top), slide seal zipper, lip and tape adhesive, lip and flip, drawstring, and open end with twist tie. Each offers different benefits for security, reusability, and speed of closing, and Prism Pak stocks all six in wholesale quantities.

Which bag closure is best for food packaging?

Seal top reclosable and slide seal zipper closures are the most popular for food packaging because they are FDA compliant, reusable, and hold a tight seal that maintains freshness. Lip and tape and lip and flip closures are better suited to high-speed single-use applications like sandwich and snack bags, and drawstring closures are the standard for ice bags.

What is the difference between zipper seal and slide seal bags?

Seal top (zip top) bags are closed by pressing two plastic tracks together with your fingers, while slide seal (zipper) bags add a plastic slider that glides along the tracks to open and close the bag. The slider is easier to operate with gloved hands or when closing many bags quickly; the finger-press zip top costs less per bag.

Are reclosable bags reusable?

Yes. Both seal top and slide seal reclosable bags are designed for repeated opening and closing, and the plastic zipper tracks are rated for 100+ open/close cycles. That makes them a good fit for portion control, product samples, parts storage, and any application that needs repeated access to the contents.

Can you use twist ties with any bag?

Twist ties work best with open end bags that have no built-in closure, such as bread, pastry, and produce bags. They can be used on almost any open-top bag, but they do not create an airtight seal, so choose a reclosable or heat-sealed closure for products that need a moisture or oxygen barrier.

Which bag closures can be heat sealed?

Open end poly and polypropylene bags are the ones designed to be heat sealed, using an impulse sealer for a permanent, tamper-evident closure. Reclosable, lip and tape, lip and flip, and drawstring bags are meant to be closed by hand instead, though an open end bag can be both twist-tied and heat sealed depending on the run.

Bulk Bag Closure Options at Prism Pak

We stock all major closure types in wholesale quantities with same-day shipping on stock items. All food-contact bags are FDA-compliant and manufactured to strict quality standards.

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Need help selecting the right closure? Our packaging experts can recommend the best bag type for your application. Contact us or call for bulk pricing and custom options.

Technical Specifications

Closure durability: Reclosable zippers rated for 100+ open/close cycles
Seal strength: Varies by closure type and bag thickness (mil)
Food safety: FDA-approved materials for direct food contact
Temperature range: Most closures perform from 0°F to 120°F
Customization: Custom printing available on all closure types