Grip Bags: What They Are, Types, and Explanation of Use

Preface

Grip bags are one of the most widely used packaging items within the headshop and smartshop market. They are used for storing, sorting, and transporting small quantities of loose products — from dried herbs to small accessories and other fine-mesh items. Despite their simple appearance, they form an essential part of the product range in specialty stores.

In this article, you will read what grip bags are, how the product form originated, and which variants are available on the market. The focus is on factual and practical background information. For the current range, we refer you to the grip bag collection at Dr Smart Shop.

Grip bags are approached here as a packaging product with broad applicability, both within and outside the smart shop context.

What are grip bags?

Grip bags — also referred to as zip-lock bags or resealable plastic bags — are small packaging bags featuring a press closure at the top. The closure consists of two interlocking plastic profiles that are opened and closed with light pressure. This makes the bag reusable and protective at the same time.

The material is typically LDPE (low-density polyethylene), a lightweight and flexible plastic that is resistant to moisture and mechanical stress. The transparency of the material makes the contents immediately visible without having to open the bag, which offers a practical advantage for storage and sorting.

Grip bags are characterized by their size — expressed in millimeters of width by height — and their wall thickness, expressed in millimeters or microns. Greater thickness results in a sturdier bag that is less likely to tear with repeated use.

Origin and background

The resealable plastic bag was first patented in the United States in the 1950s. The invention was initially aimed at the food industry: storing small quantities of food in hygienic and resealable packaging. In the decades that followed, the size was reduced and the application expanded far beyond the kitchen.

Within the headshop and smartshop markets, small resealable bags became increasingly established from the 1990s onwards as standard packaging for small quantities of loose products. The combination of low cost, transparency, and reusability made them a practical choice for both suppliers and consumers.

Today, grip bags are produced in a wide range of sizes, thicknesses, and designs — including blank versions for neutral use and printed variants with graphic design or brand names. Production takes place largely in Asia and Europe, with quality differences depending on the raw materials used and the production method.

Types of grip bags and variants

At first glance, the range of grip bags appears uniform, but it features relevant distinctions based on size, material thickness, and design. These factors determine for which application a bag is most suitable.

Size and dimensions

Grip bags are offered in a wide range of sizes. Small sizes — such as 25x25 mm or 30x30 mm — are suitable for very small quantities or miniature parts. Medium sizes such as 40x40 mm and 40x60 mm are most commonly used for general storage of small products. Larger sizes such as 55x65 mm are suitable for multiple items at once or for bulk storage. At Dr Smart Shop, sizes are available from 25x25 mm to 55x65 mm, with expansion options depending on current stock.

Wall thickness and material quality

The wall thickness of a grip bag is expressed in millimeters or microns (1 mm = 1000 microns). In the Dr Smart Shop range, bags are available with thicknesses ranging from 0,06 mm to 0,08 mm. A thicker wall offers greater resistance to tearing and is more suitable for repeated use. The so-called "Green Line" products are a variant that focuses on a more sustainable production chain within the same specifications.

Blank and printed version

Grip bags are available in blank (transparent, without printing) and printed versions. Blank bags can be used neutrally for any purpose. Printed variants — such as the PPrint line from Head Supplies BV — feature a graphic pattern or background color and are often chosen for their recognizability or aesthetic appeal. Color variants such as blue, red, and green are available in addition to the standard transparent version.

Grip bags within the headshop and smartshop market

Grip bags are well-established in the headshop and smartshop markets as a basic product within the broader category of packaging and storage items. They are typically offered in packs of 100 — a quantity suitable for both occasional and regular use.

The demand for resealable bags is partly functional and partly habitual. Anyone who regularly stores, sorts, or transports small quantities of loose products benefits from a reliable and affordable packaging solution. Resealable bags have fulfilled this role for decades and have thereby become a structural part of the headshop assortment.

Within the Dutch market, grip bags are available through headshops, smartshops, drugstores, and online retailers. Quality standards vary significantly by supplier. Factors such as sealing quality, material thickness, and dimensional accuracy determine long-term usability.

Grip bags in the Dr Smart Shop assortment

Within the Headshop of Dr Smart Shop, grip bags are offered as part of a broader range of packaging and storage items. The grip bag collection includes products from Head Supplies BV and the brand Gripzakje, both suppliers that focus on consistent quality and a wide range of sizes.

The standard products include the Zip-Lock Bag Blanco 25x25 mm , the popular Zip-Lock Bag PPrint 40x40 mm , the Zip-Lock Bag Green Line 40x60 mm, and the Zip-Lock Bag Blanco 55x65 mm . Color variants in blue, red, and green are available in addition to the standard transparent blank version.

In addition to grip bags, the headshop also offers related products such as scales , grinders , and rolling trays , making the range a logical whole for those looking for practical accessories.

Frequently asked questions about grip bags

Grip bags are interesting when viewed from their practical and commercial context. As a simple yet functional packaging product, they play a fixed role within the Headshop assortment. View the full range via the Dr Smart Shop Headshop.