Plastic bags remain one of the highest-volume packaging products in the world — supermarket vest carriers, flat bags and bags-on-roll. A plastic bag production line has a distinctive shape: the film machine makes the material, the bag machine converts it. This guide walks the full chain, machine by machine, with the VIE models for every step.
The Process Flow at a Glance
1. Film blowing — melt HDPE / LDPE / LLDPE granules into blown film tube
2. Flexo printing — print the artwork onto the film (inline printer or separate flexo)
3. Bag making — seal and cut the final bag: T-shirt bags, flat bags or bags-on-roll
Three bag families, three bag machines — the rest of the line is shared.
Machine by Machine
1. Film Blowing — VSJ Series
The VSJ single-screw extruder series turns granules into film tube:
- VSJ-50 — folded film width 100–600 mm, output 30 kg/h (HDPE/LDPE/LLDPE)
- VSJ-55 — 200–800 mm, 40 kg/h
- VSJ-65 — 400–1200 mm, 70 kg/h
- Inline printer can be added; other sizes customized
Higher-output options from the same family: the ABA three-layer double-screw line, the double-screw VSJ-50\*2 / 55\*2 / 60\*2 series (60–110 kg/h, widths up to 1200 mm) and the heavy-duty GS series (1300–1800 mm films). One extruder feeds several bag machines — size it by your total daily output.
2. Flexo Printing — VFP Series (600–1200 mm)
Film is printed roll-to-roll with the VFP flexo printing machine series, available in 600 / 800 / 1000 / 1200 mm widths in both E (economy) and H (high-speed) versions — matched to the bag machine width. An inline printer can also be mounted directly on the VSJ blower.
3. Bag Making — Three Bag Families, Three Machines
T-shirt (vest) bags — VBM-TS / VBM-TD:
- VBM-TS single lane / VBM-TD double lane, versions VBM-300TD / 400TD / 500TD
- Bag width 300 × 2 to 500 × 2 mm, length up to 750 mm
- Sealing and cutting speed 140–200 bags/min × 2 lanes
- Seals and cuts HDPE/LDPE film into the classic vest carrier — punch, seal and cut in one pass
Flat bags — VBM-HS / VBM-HD:
- VBM-HS single layer / VBM-HD double layer, versions VBM-600 / 800 / 1000
- Bag width 100–550 / 750 / 950 mm, bag length up to 1200 mm
- Sealing and cutting speed 35–45 m/min × 2 lines
- For HDPE, LDPE and PP film
Roll bags (bags-on-roll) — VBM-500R\*2 / VBM-600R\*2:
- Double lane roll bag machines for supermarket, clothing and shoe packaging
- Bag width 100–450 / 550 mm, length up to 1000 mm, capacity 120 pcs/min × 2
Three Proven Line Configurations
Configuration A — T-Shirt Bag Line (High Volume)
VSJ blower → VFP printing → VBM-TD double lane → baled vest bags
The classic supermarket bag line: one extruder, one printer and the double-lane T-shirt machine run continuously at up to 400 bags/min across two lanes. Lowest cost per bag.
Configuration B — Flat Bag Line
VSJ blower → VFP printing → VBM-HS (single layer) or VBM-HD (double layer) → flat bags
For food packaging, apparel and general-purpose flat bags in HDPE, LDPE or PP — two bag layers per cycle on the HD version.
Configuration C — Roll Bag Line (Retail)
VSJ blower → VFP printing → VBM-500R\*2 / 600R\*2 → bags-on-roll
Bags delivered on rolls for supermarket and clothing checkout counters — the configuration behind most retail roll-bag supply.
Bag Type → Machine Mapping
| Bag you produce | Recommended machine | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirt / vest carrier bags | VBM-TS (single lane) / VBM-TD (double lane) | 140–200 bags/min per lane |
| Flat bags, single layer | VBM-600HS / 800HS / 1000HS | 100–950 mm width |
| Flat bags, double layer | VBM-600HD / 800HD / 1000HD | Two layers per cycle |
| Bags-on-roll (supermarket) | VBM-500R\*2 / 600R\*2 | 120 pcs/min × 2 |
Raw Materials to Plan For
- Granules: HDPE, LDPE and LLDPE for the film — material choice follows the bag (LDPE for softness, HDPE for crispness)
- Ink: plastic-grade flexo ink matched to the film
FAQ
Should I buy the film blower or buy film rolls?
Start without a blower if film is available locally — the bag machine alone is the fastest entry. Add the extruder when your daily volume justifies producing your own film (it also lets you control film color and thickness).
Single lane or double lane T-shirt machine?
The VBM-TD double lane produces two bags per cycle (140–200/min per lane). Choose it when one bag size runs at high volume; the VBM-TS single lane covers mixed sizes at lower investment.
Which machine for supermarket bags-on-roll?
The VBM-500R\*2 / 600R\*2 double-lane roll bag machines — bags are sealed, cut and rewound onto rolls, ready for the checkout dispenser.
Get a Production Line Quote
Send us: bag type, bag size (W × L), film thickness and daily quantity — we will return the complete configuration: film blowing, printing and bag making machines matched to your product.
Start from the plastic bag making machine overview or the film blowing machine page — or message us on WhatsApp for a fast reply.