Grip seal bags

Buy best value grip seal bags, including clear, coloured, labelled and heavy duty bags for handy self-seal strorage.

Grip seal bags are...

• Small reusable plastic bags featuring a simple seal at the opening of the bag
• Waterproof, dust-proof and dirt-proof
• Very convenient for keeping contents dry, clean and protected from external contaminants like dust or dirt
• Simple to use - just give the grip seal a squeeze between thumb and forefinger to close, or gently pull the two sides apart at the top to open
• Strong, robust and can be used over and over and over again
• Great at separating items and handy for storage and filing, even with unusually-shaped items
• Incredibly versatile and suitable for a range of contents from small knick-knacks, like buttons or beads, to larger items - like documents or big balls of wool
• Available in a range of sizes from 1.5” x 2.5” (38.1mm x 63.5mm) to 15” x 20” (381mm x 508mm)
• Available in a range of styles or types, including plain, labelled, heavy duty, antistatic, black or coloured
• Often referred to as gripper bags, grippa bags, minigrip bags, mini grip bags or self-seal bags

Grip seal bags - a simple guide

The primary feature of a grip seal bag is, unsurprisingly, a grip seal. This is the feature which distinguishes it from other plastic bags and gives the bag it's name.

The grip seal runs right across the opening of the bag, from edge to the other, with a plastic strip on either side of the bag. On one side is a 'male' plastic strip, comprising a single ridge of plastic. On the other side is a 'female' strip, which features two plastic ridges, placed very close together in parallel across the width of the bag.

When the seal is squeezed, the 'male' ridge slots perfectly inside the two parts of the 'female' ridge, thus forming a watertight seal across the bags opening and protecting the bag from moisture and other contamination.

The seal itself is simple to use and can be closed with just your thumb and forefinger. Hold the bag still in one hand and, with the thumb and forefinger of the other hand, gently squeeze one end of the seal until you feel the 'male' and 'female' strips join, then run your thumb and forefinger, still closed, across the length of the seal to close the bag. Simple!

To open, all you need to do is take hold of both sides of the bag, above the seal, with the thumb and forefinger of both hands (left side in left hand, right side in right hand) and gently pull apart. The 'male' and 'female' strips will come apart easily, leaving you to access the contents of the bag before reusing it.

This process can be repeated many times but, if you want to help prolong the life of your grip seal bag, take care not to yank the plastic too hard when opening, or you may rip the bag, causing it to lose its waterproof and contamination-proof integrity.

Grip seal bags - a size guide

Grip seal bags are available in a wide range of sizes - from approximately 1.5” x 2.5” to 15” x 20” (approximately 38mm x 64mm to 381mm x 508mm).

This makes them a perfect storage solution for a wide range of items from the tiny, like bean-bag filling, to the large, such as clothing or documents.

So whether you're a mechanic who needs to store nuts and bolts, or a jewellery maker, who needs to keep string or beads or jewels safe, the chances are there is grip seal bag out there for you!

Grip seal bags - the benefits

Gripper bags are a popular choice in the world of polythene bags, whether for use in home or office, garage, garden or workplace. They remain a favourite because they:

• Are quick, easy and convenient to use
• Can be sealed close without any bag tie or clip
• Keep contents dry, clean and secure
• Come in a huge range of sizes
• Are suitable for a wide range of contents and a range of workplaces
• Are useful in the kitchen (freezer safe and extend food's shelf life)
• Can be used over and over again
• Are easy to clean, even if soiled

Grip seal bag types

In its simplest form, a grip seal bag is a polythene bag used for storage and/or to keep contents dry and clean. However, a range of different types of grip seal bag are available, all of which offers these standard benefits, but each of which serves a slightly different and specific purpose.

These include the following:

Grip seal bags with labels - An exterior label, usually white, allows you to write the contents of the bag on the label to help with identification and provide a visual aide for filing purposes

Black grip seal bags - Regular grip seal bags but made from opaque black polythene, providing confidentiality of contents and an extra level of security

Coloured grip seal bags - Gripper bags made from different coloured polythene. Ideally bought in a set to provide simple colour-categorisation of contents when filing, making it easier to find items later

Extra tough grip seal bags - Heavy duty bags made from thicker, tougher, polythene than regular gripper bags. Ideal for sharp, pointy, heavy, jagged or awkwardly-shaped items, as more resistant to puncturing, tearing or ripping

Grip seal carrier bags - A shopping bag with a difference, as it features a grip seal along the top for added protection against the elements and a more professional look

Anti-static grip seal bags - see detailed information in green section.

Where to buy grip seal bags

Grip seal bag manufacturers and suppliers include:

Mini Grip Bags
The place to buy mini grip bags and self-seal packaging online. Stocking a huge range of mini grip bags and all types of resealable bags to cater for any job. Simple online ordering and fast, free delivery to any UK address.
www.minigripbags.co.uk

Grip Seal Bags
Grip Seal Bags is the website for all of your grip seal bag needs. Indexing a range of self-seal packaging, for both grip seal and zipper bags, with a fantastic guide breaking down the terminology of resealable bags.
www.gripsealbags.com

Grip Seal Bag
The place to go if you want grip seal bags or minigrip bags at discount prices. This website provides a breakdown of every type of grip seal bag - from heavy duty to antistatic gripper bags - and where to get the best discount prices.
www.discountgripsealbags.co.uk

Self Seal Bags
Discount Document Bags is a great place to find out about document bags and other self seal bags, including mini grip bags, ziplock bags and eco-friendly alternatives. Also features a packaging news section.
www.discountdocumentbags.co.uk

Ziplock Bags
A very helpful website for anyone wanting to find out more about slider grip, ziplock or mini grip bags - the full range of resealable bags that are perfect for storing a range of small items.
www.slidergripbags.co.uk

Research & Resources

To find out more about grip seal bags, including how they are produced and the different range of grip seal bags available, please visit the following websites:

Goldstork: A free best-of-the-web directory featuring hand-picked information about and specialist websites on grip seal bags.

PackagingKnowledge: This in-depth polythene packaging website features plenty of useful information about grip seal bags.

PlasticBags.uk.com: Free online polythene packaging directory. Submit product listings or browse for useful articles on grip seal bags websites.

Antistatic grip seal bags

Antistatic grip seal bags, also known as conductive grip seal bags, protect tiny electrical components from any possible damage caused by the build-up of electrostatic discharge (ESD) or static electricity.

How do antistatic grip seal bags work?

If delicate electrical components come into contact with ESD, they are at risk of permanent damage. Placing the components in an antistatic grip seal bag provides them with protection from the static electricity, as the electricity doesn’t make it past the bag itself. Instead, the antistatic grip seal bag acts as a Faraday cage, which dissipates all of the electricity, moving it around the bag layer that surrounds the component, rather than touching the component itself.

Danger! High voltage!

It has been suggested that Electric Six wrote their successful 2003 song ‘Danger! High Voltage!’ after spending a day in a room with a particularly thick shag-pile carpet.

Rumour has it that the band were putting autographed photos into grip seal bags and sending them to fan clubs around the country, when moving around on the thick carpet led to high levels of static electricity flying round the room and the inspiration for the following lyrics:

Danger! Danger! High Voltage

When we touch, when we kiss!

Danger! Danger! High Voltage

When we touch, when we kiss,

When we touch, when we kiss!

Thankfully, autographed photographs are not at risk from electrostatic discharge, so standard grip seal bags were perfectly adequate for the job in hand. However, had they been sending electronic components to their fans instead, then they would have had to use antistatic grip seal bags, otherwise it would really have been a case of “Danger! Danger!”