Cello bags and polyethylene bags are extremely popular today. The tricky part is that many people do not know the difference between them. It is not uncommon to see or hear people referring to cellophane as polyethylene, and vice versa. This educational article is meant to eliminate the confusion between these two once and for all, as well as to help you choose one for your current needs (marketing, gifts, etc.).
Cellophane
Cellophane is a transparent grease-resistant and moisture-resistant film produced from viscose. It was invented by a Swiss textile engineer in 1911. In 1913, France began to manufacture it on a large scale. It became the first moisture-resistant and flexible packaging in the world. However, after the invention of polyethylene in the 1950s, cellophane started to be replaced by this new material.
Cello bags are typically used for foods (meats, cheeses, candy, cookies, etc.), as well as for small gifts and cards (greeting cards, florist cards). Cello packs are often used to wrap gifts for parties and holidays (birthday, wedding, Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, etc.). They can be clear or colored, as well as preprinted or custom printed. They can be flat or gusseted, as well as square or cone-shaped. You can even find biodegradable cello packaging.
Polyethylene
Polyethylene (polythene) is a plastic made by polymerization of ethylene. Today, this plastic is the most manufactured plastic in the world. This material can look transparent or white (depending on its density). It is much more durable and resistant to elements than cellophane. It is used in bulletproof vests, boats, ATVs, and cartilage replacements in medicine. Polyethylene was invented in 1899 by a German engineer, but it stayed in oblivion until 1933. By the 1950s, it became the most popular material for packaging and started to replace the less durable cello bags.
Polyethylene is separated into 3 types: HDPE (High Density Polythene), MDPE (Medium Density Polythene), and LDPE (Low Density Polythene). The HDPE is used for durable bags with regular or reinforced patch handles or loop handles. The LDPE is used for lightweight T-shirt bags. These are more capacious; besides, they are the most affordable type of packaging.
Custom Printed Cellophane and Polyethylene
Both types of materials (cellophane and polyethylene) can be custom printed in full color. They can be used for placing text or graphics onto them, such as for marketing and gifts. Cellophane packs are commonly used for gifts, while polyethylene packs are more often used for marketing. Cello bags are used to carry gift cards with flowers, as well as gifts for birthdays, weddings, Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, and other events. Polythene bags are used for product sales, as well as to distribute printed materials at presentations and exhibitions.
Both types of bags are one of the most versatile, compact and cost-effective mediums for advertising or personalized gifts. Any of these two types of personalized packaging will be long remembered and create a favorable impression on the receiver. We hope that we have eliminated the confusion between the two, and that now you know which type of them is best for your current needs.