Multi-Wall Paper Sewn Open Mouth Bags

Traditional & Tough

A Sewn Open Mouth (“SOM”) multi-wall paper bag is a common industrial packaging style designed for a wide variety of dry flowable products. The SOM bag is an open mouth bag that is closed using sewing thread.

Open mouth bags are packed on equipment that deposits material into the bag via hopper or vertical filling spout. The bottom of the bag is pre-closed by the bag manufacturer. Once the bag is filled, the flush cut open end of the bag is sewn closed by the user. Sewn open mouth bags can be equipped with an easy-open pull tape feature to quickly open the bag and discharge its contents.

SOM bags, a cost-effective and durable solution for various applications, are one of the oldest multi-wall bag constructions on the market. They are compatible with both manual and fully automated packing equipment.

SOM Bag Closure Types

When packaging a wide range of free-flowing products, such as animal feed, rice, seed, and fertilizer, a gross weight open mouth bagger operating under a control hopper is often the ideal solution. This type of bagger is specifically designed to handle dry, granular materials that flow easily and consistently.

An operator places an empty bag on a conveyor that transitions to the filling mechanism. The bag's mouth is presented manually or automatically on the fill spout and filled until it achieves the desired weight. The filled unclosed bag then transfers to a sewing head where it can be manually or automatically fed through the sewing head. Once the bag is closed it will transition to the pallet for shipping.

Plain Sew

Used with larger size material that won’t leak out between stitches. Options include 1 thread (generally with portables) or 2 threads (fixed heads, high speed applications).

Plain Sew with Bag Top Fold Over

Reduces major leaking.

Tape Sew with an EZ Pull Tape

Allows quick opening of sewn bags.

Paper Types

Traditional Kraft Paper	High Performance Extensible Paper
Manufactured from short wood fiber	Manufactured from long wood fiber
Heavy, coarse sheet	Smooth sheet
Strength through high basis weight	Strength through superior stretch and flexibility
Limited stretch	6-7% stretch
Low levels of porosity	High levels of porosity
Limited energy absorption	Superior energy absorption
Ideal for 3-4 ply bag construction	Ideal for 2 ply bag construction

Custom Tailored Packaging Solutions

Need a custom size, style, and print? We offer fully customized open mouth bag options for your business. Our range of bag styles include:

PVSE
SOM
PBOM
Webb PBOM
SOS
UN Certified
AIB

Minimum order quantities and artwork charges may apply. Lead times vary between 4 and 16 weeks depending on bag style.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Sewn Open Mouth paper bags used for?

SOM bags are designed to package a wide variety of dry, flowable industrial and agricultural products, such as animal feed, rice, seed, and fertilizer. They are a durable and economical option for many applications.

How are SOM bags filled and closed?

SOM bags are filled through a hopper or vertical filling spout. Once filled, the open end of the bag is sewn closed manually or automatically using sewing thread. An optional EZ-open pull tape can be added for easy access to the contents.

What types of closure options are available for SOM bags?

SOM bags offer several closure options, including plain sew, plain sew with bag top fold-over, and tape sew with an EZ pull tape. These options cater to different product types and leakage prevention needs.