500G Lay Flat Tubing (LFT)
Lay Flat Tubing (LFT) — Flexible Polythene Packaging for Fast, Custom-Length Protection
Lay Flat Tubing (often shortened to LFT) is a continuous tube of polythene supplied flattened on a roll. It’s designed to let you create protective sleeves and bags to the exact length you need—simply cut to size and seal the ends. This makes lay flat tubing a practical choice when you’re packing items of varying lengths, irregular shapes, or products that don’t suit standard pre-made bag sizes.
This product page represents a configurable lay flat tubing option. The key specification shown on the listing indicates the lay-flat width and the film thickness (micron / gauge). Where your workflow needs consistent protection, clean presentation, and efficient packing, lay flat tubing provides a straightforward, adaptable solution.
Key Features
Continuous tubing for custom lengths
Cut exactly what you need for each item, reducing the need to stock multiple bag sizes and helping streamline packing for mixed product ranges.
Polythene film for everyday protection
Polythene tubing helps protect goods from dust, light handling scuffs, and general contamination during storage, picking, and transit.
Specified thickness (micron / gauge)
Film thickness is provided in microns (µm) / gauge so you can choose a suitable level of durability for your application. Thicker films generally offer increased puncture resistance and robustness for heavier or sharper-edged items.
Lay-flat width for predictable fit
The lay-flat width (shown in mm/inches on the listing) helps you select a tube that will comfortably accommodate the circumference of your product once opened.
Compatible with common sealing methods
Lay flat tubing is typically sealed using heat sealing equipment to create bags/sleeves. It can also be used with other closure methods depending on your process and the level of security required.
Efficient storage and dispensing
Supplied on a roll, lay flat tubing is easy to store and can be dispensed at a bench, packing station, or production line for quick cut-and-seal workflows.
Key Features (Bullet Summary)
- Cut-to-length flexibility for variable product sizes
- Polythene protection against dust and handling marks
- Micron/gauge thickness specified for consistent performance
- Lay-flat width helps match tubing to product circumference
- Roll format for easy dispensing and tidy storage
- Ideal for sealing into bags using heat sealers
Typical Uses
- Creating custom-length sleeves for long or awkward items
- Protective packaging for parts, components, and assemblies
- Bundling multiple items together before boxing
- Covering products for storage to reduce dust contamination
- General warehouse, fulfilment, and light industrial packing
Lay Flat Tubing — Full Product Guide
Introduction
If you pack products that vary in length, lay flat tubing can simplify your packaging operation. Instead of holding many different bag sizes, you keep a roll (or a small range of rolls) and create the bag length you need on demand. This guide explains how lay flat tubing works, how to choose the right width and thickness, and how to get the best results in day-to-day use.
How It Works
Lay flat tubing is supplied as a flattened tube on a roll. In use, you typically:
- Dispense the tubing from the roll to the required length
- Cut the tubing cleanly (hand cutter, safety knife, or bench cutter depending on your setup)
- Seal one end (if you’re making a bag from scratch)
- Insert the product
- Seal the open end to close the pack
This cut-and-seal approach is especially useful for long items, mixed-length orders, and products that need a snug protective sleeve.
Materials and Construction
This listing is for polythene lay flat tubing. Polythene film is widely used in packaging because it is lightweight, flexible, and practical for protecting goods during handling and storage. The film thickness is stated on the product page in microns (µm) / gauge, allowing you to select a grade that suits your packing demands.
Understanding thickness:
Micron (µm) is a direct measure of film thickness. As a general rule, higher micron films are more robust and better suited to heavier items or products with corners/edges that could stress the film.
Choosing the Right Width (Lay-Flat Width Explained)
The width shown on the listing is the lay-flat width—the measurement of the tubing while it is flattened. When opened, the tubing forms a tube with a circumference approximately equal to 2 × lay-flat width. This is a helpful way to estimate fit:
- If your product’s circumference is close to (or slightly less than) 2 × lay-flat width, it should fit comfortably.
- If you need extra room for bulky shapes, protective inserts, or easy loading, consider stepping up to a wider lay-flat size.
Tip: If you’re unsure, measure the widest point of your product (including any protrusions) and allow a little clearance for easy insertion and sealing.
Floor Type Compatibility
Lay flat tubing is used across many environments—from packing benches to production lines. It’s suitable for:
- Warehouse and fulfilment floors where items are picked, sleeved, and boxed
- Light industrial areas where components need clean protection between processes
- Retail back-of-house packing and storage tasks
Because it’s supplied on a roll, it can be integrated into a variety of workstations and dispensing setups.
Health and Safety
- Cutting safety: Use appropriate cutters and safe handling practices when trimming film from the roll.
- Heat sealing: If using a heat sealer, follow equipment guidance and allow sealing bars to cool before contact.
- Packaging safety: Keep plastic packaging away from children and follow your site’s safety procedures for film products.
Ideal Applications and Use Cases
Lay flat tubing is a strong fit when you need flexibility and speed:
- Long products: Create sleeves for items that are awkward to bag using standard sizes.
- Variable-length orders: Cut different lengths from the same roll to match each order line.
- Parts protection: Sleeve components to reduce dust and handling marks before assembly or dispatch.
- Bundling: Group multiple items together to keep sets complete.
Maintenance, Cleaning and Care
- Storage: Keep rolls clean and dry to maintain presentation and reduce contamination.
- Dispensing: Use a stable dispenser or bench setup to prevent the roll from telescoping or unwinding.
- Sealing quality: If seals are inconsistent, check sealer temperature/time settings and ensure the film is flat and free from debris at the seal area.
Case Study (Typical Workflow Example)
Scenario: A packing team ships mixed orders containing items of different lengths. Stocking multiple bag sizes creates picking errors and takes up storage space.
Approach: The team switches to lay flat tubing at the packing bench. For each order line, they dispense the required length, seal one end, insert the item, then seal the top.
Outcome: The process reduces the number of packaging SKUs required, improves packing consistency, and speeds up handling for variable-length products—while maintaining a clean, protective finish.
Who Is It For?
- Warehouses and fulfilment operations packing mixed product ranges
- Manufacturers protecting parts between processes
- Workshops and maintenance teams storing components cleanly
- Businesses that need custom-length protective sleeves on demand
Colours / Features Available
This product is supplied as polythene lay flat tubing. Any colour/finish options (if applicable) will be shown via the selectable variants on the product page.
Sizes Available
Lay flat tubing is available in multiple lay-flat widths and film thicknesses (micron/gauge). Select the option that best matches your product’s circumference and the level of protection required. Because it is supplied on a roll, you can create bespoke cut lengths as needed for each pack.
Need help choosing?
If you can share your product’s approximate width/circumference and whether it has sharp edges or heavy weight, we can help you select an appropriate lay-flat width and thickness.