Searching For Clear Plastic Bags for putting finished work in.

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FrameMakers

FrameMakers

PFG, Picture Framing God
Joined
Mar 20, 2001
Posts
7,395
Loc
Powell, OH
It seems that all my bags are running out at the same time. On one hand this is a good thing as I can order them all at once.

What sizes do you use?
Rolls or Boxed?
What Mil thickness do you like?
Any favorite suppliers?
 
U-Line has a good selection. For art use Clear Bags
 
U-line seems pretty pricey compared to others. I can get them locally for almost half the price, but they are in a case instead of on rolls. I have them checking on getting me rolled bags, but I am almost out of most sizes.
 
No matter what size I order....it is always too small for the next project.....;)

I don't want too many sizes but will have to reconsider. Right now I'm on my last box of 26 x 30, which I will re-order as it serves most purposes.

I need a good size for smaller work, and for larger, I usually re-use the bags from my matboard.

I use 1 MIL thickness
 
I would reuse my matboard bags, but my supplier has theirs custom printed with their logo. This doesn't make since to me. First off, I don't really want to have my customer pick something up with a suppliers name on it. Second, I don't need to know where my mats come from. Third, custom bags have to cost more than just plain ones.

I agree about not having to many sizes but having enough.
 
Fortunately, my supplier doesn't put a logo on...and you're right, why would they do that? Only the framers would see it...and they don't need to be reminded where it came from.

I kinda want to get it down to 3 sizes bags. The 26x30 is good. I wanted to order a size up, but the price was a lot more (at the time).

I do order from uline, not even sure where I would shop locally for that?
 
hangupsgallery said:
Size is never an issue with good 'ole brown kraft paper on a roll. Every frame order has a "custom" fit. :)
Click to expand...

hm. So, after you finish, you wrap it? And then have to unwrap when customer comes to pick it up? Or you wrap while they wait? Then how is it protected while stored until they pick it up?
 
Both Don Mar and United carry clear plastic bags on a roll.

Paper wrapping is a waste of time... having to originally wrap it, THEN unwrap it to show the customer and then RE-wrap it for them to take home.

Plastic bag... slide in and tape closed and your done.
 
I haven't spent a lot of time comparing, but I use clearbags.com, and their prices seem reasonable to me. Only issue is you typically have to purchase bags in 100 packs, and backing materials in 25 packs, which can be frustrating if you want to order a size you don't use often.

I use their standard 1.6mil bags, but they offer 2.0mil bags for a bit extra.
 
We have rolls of clear plastic sheet printed with our logo repeating on it. It works like craft paper, but it’s clear not including the printed logo. So you have the advantage of both worlds. Cut what you need and fit to the work, and it’s transparent….
 
Jesse, what type of tape do you use? I have not found a reasonably priced tape that holds well for even closing up a package.
 
I have switched over to the ones that Omega sells because they are strong and very clear. The bags United had on rolls became thin, smaller and not at all clear. Omega sizes 21x25, 25x35, 35x44, 36x48, 44x64 and I use United in 14x17 & 19x21 because Omega doesn't carry small ones.

If I ever use tape it is painters tape because I have seen tape rip the finish right off of a frame or remove the surface paper on the way out of the bag. All of the Clear Bags I use are the Protective Closure where the adhesive is on the back of the bag and never on the flap. People get the flaps stuck to artwork all of the time getting it out of the Clear Bags.
 
I have always wrapped finished work in bubblewrap. Protects the frame and you can see what's what. I stick it with m*sking tape, so it's easy to open the package to give the customer a look at the nekked frame. If there is a better system, I have yet to see it. ;)

I do believe you can get bags made from it. Not sure how that works price-wise.

And... you can relieve stress by popping the bubbles. :kaffeetrinker_2:
 
What I love about the bags on the roll are the perfectly clear ones don't require I pull the framed work out on pick up. Mostly only when Artglass or non-glare gets used do I pull the bag down to show the work. The United bags became so opaque that I had to remove the bag just to show that the art was the same piece the customer brought in for framing.

I have 2x8's fastened to the wall in the upright position with holes drilled through them and metal conduit slid through the bag tubes to dispense them.
 
Ylva said:
hm. So, after you finish, you wrap it? And then have to unwrap when customer comes to pick it up? Or you wrap while they wait? Then how is it protected while stored until they pick it up?
Click to expand...

Yes, we wrap it when finished (takes less than a minute), write the customer's name and work order # on the side and store it vertically in a storage bin. What I love most is bringing the package out to the front counter and watch the anticipation, surprise, and satisfaction the customer displays as we carefully unwrap it before them. Sort of that Christmas morning scene. Then we both oooowe & ah over the finished project. Talk about what a great selection "they made". Comment again on the neat piece of art or the family photo, etc. Remind them of the care required of the museum glass. Then close up the wrapping (usually only 3 pieces of masking tape carefully untaped) and carry it to the car for them.
 
I use United's bags and have lately used Larson's bags, LJ you get a lot on a roll. I pony up for 3M packaing tape from Quill, it works.
 
hangupsgallery said:
Yes, we wrap it when finished (takes less than a minute), write the customer's name and work order # on the side and store it vertically in a storage bin. What I love most is bringing the package out to the front counter and watch the anticipation, surprise, and satisfaction the customer displays as we carefully unwrap it before them. Sort of that Christmas morning scene. Then we both oooowe & ah over the finished project. Talk about what a great selection "they made". Comment again on the neat piece of art or the family photo, etc. Remind them of the care required of the museum glass. Then close up the wrapping (usually only 3 pieces of masking tape carefully untaped) and carry it to the car for them.
Click to expand...

We do the same. People get so excited for their own, "Ta Daaa!" moment
 
All my bags come on a roll from local suppliers like LJ. I inherited a bunch of bags and a great rolling cart that I store 9 sizes of bags on. It's a little chunky, but works a treat. I buy clear packing tape in 8 pack rolls from Sams Club or Costco for wrapping the edges.
 
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