Shrink Bags that are FDA Approved
he n’tdnulHave you seen the FDA Approved Shrink Bags? If you haven’t, hold on to your hat because I am going to show you how amazing these things are. These little bags make packing cookies a breeze and will make your cookies look professional. You don’t have to design and print bag toppers, just place the cookies in the bag, seal it, and shrink it! Did I mention how much fun you can have while packing them up like a pro?
If you are going to sell your cookies, they need to look good in the package as well as out of the package. We humans need to see ‘eye candy’ before we eat the ‘eye candy.’ If a package looks bad, people will move along to the one they think looks appealing. If it looks good, it must taste good. Sad I know because my cookie-packing skills haven’t always been flattering enough to show off all the time and effort I put into my decorating. But now, I don’t have anything to worry about and neither do you. It seems like all of the packing material has become more user-friendly and more flattering for our cookies.
That is why I can’t wait to show you these shrink bags. Guess how I found out about them? Yep! The Cookie Countess. Here is the video she made that made me start looking for the shrink bags. I didn’t have to look far because Paige Maloney over at The Cookie PaigeĀ told Hillary about them. Now, I am telling you. Don’t you love the cookie world!
Shrink Bag Video:
I hope you enjoy the video!
Shrink Bags:
(may contain affiliate links)
Poly Olefin Shrink Bags, 4 x 6, Clear
Mini Heat Gun
If you are going to use the shrink bags you will need a heat gun. They cost about $20 which may seem like a lot but if you want to shrink-wrap your cookies, you need to buy one. Check your local craft stores because you can probably find it cheaper and won’t have to pay to ship.
Okay, now time to get started. If you are curiousĀ about the heat sealer I use, you can read all about it here.
After you place the cookie in the shrinkĀ bag and seal it with your heat sealer, place it upside down and on a cookie sheet. You don’t have to use a cookie sheet but that’s the way I like to do it. Be careful not to use the heat gunĀ on anything that will melt. Not that it will melt, but why chance it.
I messed up 2 bags before I got the hang of the gun and I didn’t move it around while I was using it. If you hold the gun in one spot it’ll make a hole in the bag. Oops! Once you know how far away to hold the heat gun, turn the cookie upside down and seal the edges first. I found when you start on the backside of the cookie, the front will look smoother and cleaner so you get the ‘eye candy’ look you want.
After the edges shrink up a bit, use the gun to shrink the backside.
After you like the way the back looks, flip it over and use the heat gun to shrink the front side of the cookie bag.
From this angle, you can barely tell the cookie is in a nice neat package because the bag hugs the cookie.
I feel like I should warn you about how hot the end of the gun becomes when it is on, so don’t let the kiddos near this thing no matter how hard they beg you to shrink-wrap a cookie. WOW! The grandma’s side of me just came out! LOL
See how professional these cookies look all packaged up and ready to ship or sell.
I do want to mention one more thing before I begin decorating the large tray of cookies on my table. See the hole in the shrink bag on the two blue cookies? There is an ever-so-tiny hole on the top of the bag and the bottom of the bag. It is there so it will let the air escape when the heat seals the bag. If it wasn’t there, we would get a big old bubble in the bags. That wouldn’t be appealing at all!
Update-I will use the shrink bags for things like family get-togethers and birthday parties and even office parties. Since the bags have holes in them, I probably would not use them at a craft fair where people could touch and handle the cookies. I think you should use your own judgment as to what bag you use for each situation.
Well, that wraps it up for the heat sealer and the shrink bags. I know it is an investment, but in my opinion, it is well worth it because your cookies will look professional!
Here isĀ more information on How to Ship Cookies Like a Pro or on the Heat Sealer.
Disclaimer:Ā Lisa Snyder is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.Ā
All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
Bear hugs,
Lisa- do you know if a hairdryer would heat the plastic enough to shrink it? I use a hairdryer on shrink wrap basket bags & it seems enough if I use the concentrator tube thingy.
You know Cathy, I didn’t think of that but I will try it later today and let you know how it works! You are so smart!
First of all, I LOVE your posts! Thanks for taking the time to research and share all of you valuable tips! You make us all look better!
Question: so are you saying that you wrap each cookie twice? Once in the shrink wrap and again in the heat sealed bag? Or just once, shrink wrapped? Thanks!
I tweaked the post a little. I only use the shrink bags or I will use the treat bags from Hobby Lobby.
I had a zone out moment when I wrote that. I have tweaked the post so it should be a little clearer now. š Sorry for the confusion!
I’m wondering if they are heat sealed if there is a hole in the bag? Kind of confusing to me. lol Thanks for the good info.
Janis
There are two small holes in the bag Janisa. You have to use your own judgement on which bags better fit your needs. If I were delivering these to a birthday party, I would totally use the shrink bags. If I was going to take them to a craft fair where people could touch and handle them, I would use norman (not shrink) bag.
Lisa, it has a great look but I have some concerns. First, I could never get a heat gun near my chocolate covered Oreos without there being some melting. Have you tried it? The other concern is how does it do with raised icing borders and writing? What about transfers?
I haven’t tried it on the Oreo’s and that is a good point.I will use it on an Oreo and a cookie with a border and share the results.
As far as the royal icing transfers, I honestly don’t think there will be an issue. The tightness of the bag depends on how much heat you add. You do have some control.
If you are concerned, have a delicate cookie, or if you are using chocolate you can always use a treat bag instead of the shrink bag.
Love this but I am confused. Do you use BOTH the Hob Lob bags AND the heat shrink bags, or just one or the other. Hope that made sense. Blonde moment . . .
I use either the shink bag or the normal treat bag but not both! lol I will go back to the post and fix that.
Lisa, It’s like you’re in my head!! I was just thinking about trying this after I saw some cookies for sale at a Stonewall Kitchen store the other day. I have the gun and some bags from Uline. I wonder if they’re food safe. Hmmmm Totally going to get some FS ones if not. I’m have my first Christmas fair next week and thought this would be a nice option. Thanks for posting. Destinee
I am glad you found this useful. Have fun at the Christmas Fair! I hope you have a blast!
I like these bags and all bags for that matter. I like to have things individually packaged. The older I get the more I want things sealed! LOL
I love using the shrink bags! I watched The cookie Paige katchme videos and she make it so easy to do! Paige Maloney also got a discount from the vendor for everyone to use! Thanks Paige Maloney at The cookie Paige for all your research and discounts!
Hi Brenda!
Paige shared the code with us! I hope everyone that wants to get them will use the code to get the discount!
She is awesome!
I enjoy reading all your posts! Since there’s a small air hole, does in still keep the cookie fresh? In your opinion, what do you think keeps a cookie fresher longer: heat sealed or shrink bag method? Thanks š
Hi Liz,
If I made the cookies a week or so ahead of time I would use the regular old treat bags to make sure they were airtight.
If I were going to deliver them the next day and new they would be consumed right away, I would use the shrink bags.
Hi everyone! The website for the Poly Olefin FDA approved bags are found at Stockpkg.com. If you use the code paige5 you can get a 5% discount so be sure to use it at checkout. They have also created a special bundle that includes an inpulse speaker, heat gun and a case of 500 6×6.5 poly olefin shrink bags for $61.99. You can use the paige5 code on it too ? My website http://www.thecookiepaige.com links all of the products.
Thanks Paige for adding your code and letting us know about your bundle! You are awesome!!
how much is that shrink bag cost.
If you click the link under the supply list it will take you to the Stock PKG site. You can get 500 4″x6″ clear shrink bags for $8.07 + shipping.
How awesome! They look REALLY good!! I ā¤ it. I’m curious… how many holes does each bag have and do they make the cookie go stale or hard faster?
I had one wrapped for several days and ate it and it was fresh. The holes are really small so in my opinion it didn’t really make a difference.
What did you name your heat gun? I’m dying to know…………….. š
Hahahaha BLAZE!!!!
This looks awesome Lisa! I always love to package up my treats in cello bags to give away to family and friends..but THIS is too cool! Thanks for the tutorial. :o)
I think you are going to love it Karen. No tape not printing any bag toppers. Just seal it and shrink it! LOVE IT!
WOW WOW WOW, I love this, they look awesome and you cannot even tell they’re packaged!
They are great Kim! So much fun shrinking things! LOL
Lisa….did you seal your cookies on “low” speed or “high”?
I read that “low” puts out 482* heat and that “high” puts out 662* heat.
Do you think that a heat gun from Lowe’s or Home Depot would be too hot? Most run between 700 degrees and 1000 degrees.
Thanks for your advice. (love the music with the video!)
Janis S.
Hi Janis!
I have one of those Home Depot Yellow Heat Guns! LOL I got it as a birthday present a few years ago. I was going to use it to dry cookies but the thing was super hot so I stuck it in a box and forgot about it! LOL
I will try shrink wrapping a cookie with it tonight. I am not going to take pictures but I will get you a full report! LOL
PS- the blue gun I used on these only has one speed and it worked well.
Do you know what temp “Blaze” throws heat? I found the temp info, and hi/low info at the “Mini Heat Gun” link you included with this post. I wonder why your Blaze has just the one setting?
If the Home Depot Yellow heat gun turns out to be too much heat, I’ll get the blue Mini Heat Gun one you mention in your post. I shall name him “Blue”. (original, right?)
Okay Janis,
I used the yellow Wagoner Heat Gun from Home Depot to seal some shrink bags. It works!
I used it on the lowest setting and sealed three bags. It was perfect. You will have to figure out what distance works but I had to do the same with Blaze.
I don’t think you will need to buy “Blue” becuse “Big Bird” will work well for sealing your bags! š
Hi Lisa.
Doesn’t Blaze have a “toggle type” switch for HIGH/LOW located by the chord end on the side?
The description for the Mini Heat Gun you mention in your post states that it has two settings, and shows a picture of the switch.
Just curious.
š
Well what do you know! Blaze does have two heat settings! LOL
You can tell I read directions! LOL
I used it on high. Yep on high becuase I didn’t know it had a ‘low’ switch! LOL
I am about to shrink wrap a cookie with the HD heat gun. I will let you know how it works in a minute.
hahahaha!
You crack me up! “Well what do you know…Blaze does have two heat settings!” š
You must REALLY be in a zone when decorating, or having a REALLY good time to not notice Blaze’s little “toggle like” switch. (poor Blaze….used and abused…sniff….)
Well, we know he works just fine on “HIGH”, what about on “LOW”? Can he shrink bags like nobody’s business on either setting? Inquiring minds want to know!
Too late, already bought “Blue” on line. Don’t own any heat guns from Lowe’s or Home Depot…just curious if they would work. At least you know that Big Bird works just fine! (love it!) Do you have any “moody” or “temperamental” appliances? You could always go with “Oscar”. š
Thanks for your nuggets of wisdom and willingness to do experiments to help the rest of us. You are WONDERFUL!
Thank you!
So since these bags have a hole in them and you state you would not personally sell them at a craft fair or Farmers Market because people can touch them, what kind of bag to heat seal would you suggest that doesn’t have a hole?
There are several treat bags you can put your cookies in. You should look at the back of the package and make sure you can heat seal them. I’ve used the some that I’ve bought at Hobby Lobby and here’s the link: https://www.hobbylobby.com/Party-Baking/Party-Supplies/Treat-Bags-Containers/Treat-Bags-With-Adhesive-Strip/p/80885849.
These would be perfect for my cookies! The heat sealed packages are not as professional looking as I’d like. Quick question before I purchase the bags… How difficult is it to open them up once the cookie is sealed?
Hi Didi,
Paige from The Cookie Paige has a great way to make a flap with the top of the bag. You just fold over the top in the bag, heat seal it, and then use the heat gun. It makes a flap so it will open easier.
Paige is amazing and wants to share all of her knowledge with the cookie world! You should follow her. š
Won’t shrink wrapping them make it harder for them to open? How do they open the wrapping without damaging the cookie?
Oops never mind I seen the video above!
This is SOOO awesome!!!!
Do the bags NEED to have holes? It seems like that would prevent them from staying as fresh.
Thoughts?
I know! Holes Right?!?!?!
The bags have to have holes so the air will have a way to escape as you shrink them. If you use the shrink bags and package them early, you can always place the wrapped cookies in an airtight container until you are ready to hand them out or sell them.
How do you get the bag sealed around the edges before heat sealing them? I notice the perfect square with all sides sealed before you start heating. Do you use any special tool or did you just cut it and it looks like the edges are sealed?
Also, I can’t watch Paige’s video on Katch… Any idea why? Am I too late (like on Periscope)? Or do I need a certain update to my computer?
This has been such a helpful post! I ordered the bags and already have a heat gun (I think, if I didn’t get rid of it!)
Thanks!
Hi Jaime,
I linked to Paige on a site that would replay the Periscope videos but sadly it has shut down. I will remove the link now. Sorry about that.
I placed the cookie in the shrink bag and used the heat gun to seal it. I like to begin on back side of the cookie and then move to the edges. Then flip the cookie over and smooth out the top with a little heat.
Hope you find the heat gun because the shrink bags and heat gun make the cookies look very professional! š Let me know if you have any other questions!
need heat shrink bags for pies
I don’t know if these work but I think they exist. Here is a video I found on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70ldTJoW2C8
Can I shrinkwrap ME??? I really need an upgrade on my packaging, too!! Thanks fir the great tutorials, you always inspire me! Smooches!!
Well a great big SMOOCH and a GIANT BEAR HUG TO YOU KATHY!!!
Thanks for making me happy!! š
Hi,
do you know if the design on the cookie will be disturbed when opening the shrink-wrapped cookie? And the bag needs to be a shrink-wrap bag? This doesn’t work with regular treat bags? Thanks!
Hi! Watching the little videos in the corner WHILE I read the blog?…what cutter did you use for āChristmas tree cookies?ā Itās sure a cute cutter!! Ā Thx
Hi Judith,
Is it this tree: https://thebearfootbaker.com/2017/12/christmas-tree-cookies/
Can you unbag a cookie? What do they look like on w they are opened? What if we do more details? Will the details get messed up?
Hi Amanda,
It can be hard to open the cookie without breaking it. I’ve done it several times but I have broken a few. If you do a lot of details I wouldn’t recommend this. I would get some bags from The Cookie Countess. Here is a link:
https://www.thecookiecountess.com/collections/cookie-bags-cookie-boxes