As you may (or may not) know carrier bags come in three main styles, although there are many varieties within each of these groups.

PUNCH OUT HANDLE PRINTED CARRIER BAGS

The punch out handle carrier bags is a favourite of businesses throughout the world for advertising their brand and providing customers with a suitable way of transporting their goods home.  Punch handle carrier bags are commonly constructed from low-density (LD) polythene with a punched out kidney bean or cigar shaped handle toward the top.  In order to add strength to the area of the bag were the handle is cut the bags can be produced using one of two techniques.  You will often hear one of the following two terms used with reference to punch out handle LD carrier bags:

FLEXILOOP HANDLE PRINTED CARRIER BAGS 

Flexiloop handle are created by welding loops of polythene to the inside of the carrier bags.  The reinforced top section of the bag that the flexiloops are attached to are created by a folded section of polythene at the top of the bag that is welded back on itself creating a double thickness strip known as a ‘Turn Over Top'.

Flexiloop carrier bags provide added comfort for the carrier and also have the added advantage of allowing the full use of the bag, usually but not exclusively used for larger and heavier product.

VEST PRINTED CARRIER BAGS

Vest style printed carrier bags are the more cost effective printed solution for some businesses.  Created in the shape of a vest many people are familiar with this style of bag from their weekly shop at the super market.  Vest printed carrier bags can be created in any type of polythene but are more commonly produced in a high-density (HD) polythene.  This is characterised by the crinkly and crisp nature of the HD film, giving the familiar rustle of the bags as you bring in the shopping.  This style of bag is produced with the handle incorporated into the shape of the carrier bag.  This design coupled with the more common HD film for this style of bag offers a relatively thin bag with a high tensile strength.