Questions & Answers
What customers ask us about polythene bags, printing and materials
Ordering from UMATA
What types of polythene bags does UMATA manufacture?
Garbage bags, food bags, textile bags for screen printing, custom printed textile bags, printed shopping bags, loop handle bags, courier bags, grow bags and nursery bags, and polythene film on the roll. See all products.
Are you a manufacturer or a reseller?
A manufacturer. The film is extruded, printed, cut and sealed in our own factory in Millaniya. See the factory.
Can you make bags in a custom size?
Yes. Bags are made to order in the size, thickness (gauge) and colour you specify.
What thickness should I order?
It depends on what the bag carries and how it is handled. Tell us what goes in it and we will recommend a thickness; too thin and it splits, too thick and you pay for film you do not need.
Is there a minimum order?
It depends on the product and the specification, and we keep minimums flexible. Tell us the quantity you have in mind and we will tell you what is possible.
Do you supply businesses outside Colombo?
Yes. We supply businesses throughout Sri Lanka.
How do I request a quotation?
Send us the product, size, thickness, colour and quantity, and whether you want printing: by the form on the contact page, by phone or on WhatsApp.
Printing and branding
Can bags be printed with our company logo?
Yes. We print in-house on flexographic machines, so your logo, name and contact details go straight onto the bag.
How many colours can you print?
Up to 6 colours.
What do you need from us to print?
Your artwork (logo, wording and colours), the kind of bag and its colour, and the size and quantity.
Can we buy bags plain and print them ourselves?
Yes. Our textile bags are made as a surface for screen printing, and come plain in five colours.
About the bags
What are textile bags, and which colours do they come in?
Textile bags are durable carry bags commonly used in Textile and accessories shops. They are ideal for handing over products at the counter and take screen printing exceptionally well. We stock them in white, black, pink, blue, and clear. Custom printing with your own design is also available with other colours.
Which colours do loop handle bags come in?
Pink, black and white. See loop handle bags.
What is the difference between single-layer and two-layer courier bags?
Single-layer bags suit most parcels and come in white, black or pink. Two-layer bags are white outside with a black inner layer, which stops the contents showing through. See courier bags.
What is the difference between a grow bag and a nursery bag?
A nursery bag is the small bag a seedling starts in before it is planted out. A grow bag is larger and holds enough soil for the plant to spend its life and crop in. See grow bags and nursery bags.
Do you make bags for food?
Yes. We make clear food bags for bakeries, food manufacturers and retailers.
Do you sell polythene on the roll?
Yes, as mono-layer or 2-layer film. See polythene rolls.
What is the difference between mono-layer and 2-layer film?
Mono-layer film is a single consistent layer, right for standard packaging. 2-layer film adds strength and barrier performance for more demanding uses.
What each material is
Most bags are made from one of three plastics. They look alike at a glance and behave quite differently.
What is polythene?
Polythene is the everyday name for polyethylene, the plastic most bags and packaging film are made from. HDPE and LDPE are its two common kinds.
What is HDPE?
High-Density Polyethylene. Strong for its weight, thin, crisp and rustling. It is what most shopping bags and many garbage bags are made from. It is stiffer than LDPE and stretches less.
What is LDPE?
Low-Density Polyethylene. Softer, more flexible and stretchier than HDPE, and it can be made clear. It is the usual choice for food bags, garment bags, liners and general packaging film.
What is PP?
Polypropylene. It is not polythene but a different plastic, used for similar things. PP film is very clear and crisp and stands more heat, so it is used where the product should be shown off.
Which material is right for my bags?
Start from the job: what goes in the bag, how heavy it is, whether it must be seen, and whether it will be printed. Strength for weight points to HDPE; softness and clarity to LDPE; sparkle and heat resistance to PP. If you are not sure, tell us what you are packing. There is a side-by-side table in HDPE, LDPE and PP compared.