How to Choose the Right Size and Style of Plastic Bag for Summer Merchandise

As summer approaches, businesses across retail, outdoor events, markets, and festivals prepare for a seasonal surge in merchandise sales. Whether it's sunglasses, beachwear, cold drinks, or seasonal giveaways, choosing the right plastic merchandise bags is more than just a functional decision; it impacts branding, customer experience, and product safety. With countless poly bag sizes and styles available, this guide will help you identify the right fit for your summer packaging needs.

Why Summer Merchandise Requires Specific Packaging

Summer merchandise tends to be lighter, more colorful, and often temperature-sensitive. Your packaging choice needs to reflect these unique product characteristics while remaining functional and presentable in hot, humid, or outdoor conditions.

Key challenges to consider:

• Exposure to heat or sunlight
• Handling bulk purchases (beach bundles, apparel sets)
• Outdoor retail setups (markets, pop-ups, food stalls)
• Custom branding visibility under bright light

This is where poly merchandise bags come into play. The plastic merchandise bags offer versatility, protection, and cost-efficiency.

Summer merchandise calls for reliable and versatile packaging. If you're unfamiliar with the basics, check out our guide on poly merchandise bags , which covers what they are, how they’re used, and the benefits they offer for retail and event packaging.

Understanding Plastic Bag Styles

There are several styles of plastic merchandise bags to consider, each suited to different product types and shopping environments:

1. T-shirt Bags
   • Best for: General retail use, groceries, apparel
   • Features: Durable, lightweight, budget-friendly
   • Style Notes: Available in clear or colored plastic; handles resemble a T-shirt shape
2. Die-Cut Handle Bags
   • Best for: Boutiques, specialty stores, trade shows
   • Features: Clean appearance, built-in cut-out handles
   • Style Notes: Sleek and professional; available in glossy or matte finish
3. Drawstring Poly Bags
   • Best for: Lightweight summer accessories, gift sets
   • Features: Pull-string closure, reusable
   • Style Notes: Great for promotional events or giveaways
4. Flat Poly Bags
   • Best for: Inner packaging, pre-wrapped goods
   • Features: No handles; sealed manually or with tape
   • Style Notes: Ideal for keeping items dust-free and grouped
5. Resealable Bags (Zipper or Adhesive Closure)
   • Best for: Repackaging or reselling small items like jewellery, sunscreen, or tech accessories
   • Features: Air-tight seal, moisture protection
   • Style Notes: Helps preserve freshness or product integrity in hot weather

Choosing the Right Bag Size

Size is critical, not just for aesthetics, but for practicality. A bag that’s too small creates frustration; too large, and your items may shift around or look unappealing. That’s where a poly bag size chart comes in handy.

Poly Bag Size (Inches)	Suitable For
6 x 9	Sunglasses, phone accessories, lip balms
9 x 12	Swimwear, T-shirts, flat items
12 x 15	Light apparel, booklets, beach towels
15 x 18	Bulkier items, flip flops, small bundles
18 x 24	Large towels, hoodies, boxed sets

Tip: When in doubt, measure the product’s height, width, and depth, and allow for a 10–15% margin for ease of use.

Example:
If your summer bundle includes a folded beach towel (12" wide x 15" high x 2" thick), the total volume requires a bag that can comfortably fit those dimensions without stretching or bulging.
By allowing a 10–15% margin, your target bag size should be at least:

• Width: 12" + 10% ≈ 13.2"
• Height: 15" + 10% ≈ 16.5"
• Depth allowance: 2" + 10% ≈ 2.2"

A 15x18 poly merchandise bag offers ample space, making it a suitable and practical choice for this type of product set.

5 Top Summer Product Packaging Tips

Packaging for summer needs to do more than hold an item, it should protect, enhance, and simplify the customer experience. Here are some summer product packaging tips tailored to plastic bags:

• Opt for UV-resistant material for items likely to sit in direct sunlight (e.g., market stalls or food carts).
• Ventilated poly bags can be helpful for perishable or moisture-prone items like fruit or bakery goods.
• Printed or colored plastic bags can help prevent see-through visibility for discreet merchandise like swimwear.
• Avoid overly thin bags; the summer heat can weaken low-density plastics.
• Use resealable poly bags for lotions or liquids to prevent spills.

Customisation: Functional and Visual Benefits

Beyond size and material, custom branding on your plastic merchandise bags can elevate your seasonal marketing. Use the blank space on your bags to showcase:

• Company logos or summer-themed graphics
• QR codes linking to online stores or promotions
• Limited-time offers or social media tags

Especially in summer events like festivals, markets, and pop-ups, customised poly merchandise bags double as mobile advertising tools.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right plastic merchandise bags is an important step in preparing your summer merchandise for the market. From bag size and material to style and function, thoughtful packaging enhances both product presentation and customer satisfaction. With options like die-cut handles, resealable closures, and custom-printed poly bags, you can tailor your summer packaging to fit any environment, be it a sun-drenched beach stall or a busy retail store.

Don’t forget to consult a reliable poly bag size chart to ensure a perfect fit for your products. The right plastic bag not only protects your merchandise but also supports your brand through the busiest season of the year.

Looking for high-quality plastic merchandise bags for your summer inventory?

Explore our full range of poly merchandise bags in various sizes and styles at ProSupplyGlobal.com .