Poly Bags: What mil thickness do I need?
Determining the best fit poly bag packaging for that upcoming rollout can be a somewhat daunting task if you're not sure where to start. We get it. So in hope of curbing that anxiety, we created this table to help guide you in your bagging decision making process.
In the chart below, we show you a mil thickness measurement equivalency for inches and the best use for the chosen poly bag thickness.
As a general rule, a "mil" is a unit of thickness equal to one thousandth of an inch. To convert mil to inches take mil and divide by 1000.
| Poly Bag Mil Thickness | Conversion to Inches | Plastic Bag Application |
| 0.5 mil poly bag | .0005" |
Think short-term use. Lightweight products. Note: A grocery bag is mil. A dry cleaning bag is mil. |
| 0.75 mil poly bag | .00075" | |
| 1 mil poly bag | .001" |
Think every day type of applications (storing, displaying) - foods, clothes, etc. Note: A bread bag is 1.5 mils. A retail bag is usually 2 mils. |
| 1.5 mil poly bag | .0015" | |
| 2 mil poly bag | .002" | |
| 3 mil poly bag | .003" |
Think heavy duty protection. You need scuff protection and tear resistance. Packaging heavy industrial-type items. Note: Industrial pallet covers are 3 mils. |
| 4 mil poly bag | .004" | |
| 5 mil poly bag | .005" |
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