Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) Bags.

Biaxially oriented polypropylene is stretched in two directions during manufacture, which gives it high clarity and a crisp snap that softer PE films lack. It holds its shape on the shelf where a polyethylene bag slumps. Moisture barrier is good and the print surface is excellent, which is why BOPP fronts most laminates.

The limitation is oxygen barrier, which is mediocre in clear BOPP on its own.

The ink is printed on the inside of the outer film, so it sits behind the BOPP and cannot be scuffed off in handling. Gravure on BOPP holds sharp detail and strong colour, and the film protects it. A matte BOPP variant gives a non-reflective surface built into the film rather than added as a laminate.

Spot print leaves most of the film clear for the product to show through.

When the product needs light or oxygen barrier that clear BOPP cannot give. Vacuum-deposited aluminium on BOPP adds both while keeping the print surface. The most common laminate is BOPP outer, VMPET middle and LLDPE inner, which prints, blocks and seals in that order.

Unprinted areas of a metallised film show as mirror silver, which is used as a design effect in crisps.

Gloss print is the standard, matte BOPP is the premium option, and clear unprinted is the cheapest. Clear film is common in bakery, where the product does the selling. An anti-fog treatment stops condensation clouding the film on chilled or fresh produce.

A tear notch sets where the pack opens, and heat seal or zipper closures are both available.

The stock sizes are 4 by 6, 6 by 9 and 8 by 12 inches, measured flat as width by height. Flat pouches, stand-up and side gusset styles all run in BOPP. Because the film is stiff, a flat BOPP pouch holds its shape better than the same size in PE.

Send the product weight and bulk density and we work out the fill and the bag from there.

Yes, 500 bags. Tiered rates start above 1,000 and runs extend to 100,000, which fits the high-speed lines this film was built for. Clear and metallised structures are separate runs against that figure.

Roll stock for automatic filling is quoted by reel with an equivalent bag count.

Approved proofs go to production and ship within 7 to 10 business days. Rush production at 5 to 7 business days is available for seasonal lines. Samples reach you in 5 to 7 business days, which gives time for a line trial before the main run.

Sample costs are credited when the production order lands, and shipping is nationwide.

Clear unlaminated BOPP is a single polymer and recycles well. A laminated structure does not. The metallised and multi-layer versions that give the barrier are the ones that fail recycling. A mono-material PP structure keeps the bag recyclable at a lower barrier than a mixed laminate.

Where the product is dry and turns quickly, mono PP is a sound choice. Where it needs oxygen barrier, accept the laminate.