In “This or That” we compare Polypropylene Magazine Sleeves (SPPMAGR) vs. Polyethylene Magazine Sleeves (SMAG3R). The common characteristics are the size (8-5/8 x 11-1/8), both have a resealable flap with the reseal tape located on the body of the sleeve, both hold a standard sized magazine perfectly, both are acid-free, both materials have been tested by an independent lab as being safe for long-term storage.
Why choose one magazine sleeve material over the other? Personal preference, price, that’s what the other guy uses, and I like the way it looks? That could all be true but let’s go a bit deeper and review what you’re planning on doing with your sleeved magazines. Are they for sale? Are they going into permanent storage? Going on the bedroom shelf in hopes that you’ll get to read them someday?
Here are standard recommendations for the two materials.
REGULAR Magazine Polypropylene Sleeve
Regular Magazine Sleeve 8-5/8 x 11-1/8″ 1.5 mil POLYPROPYLENE. 1-1/2″ Resealable flap. The tape is on the body of the bag.
- Use Polypropylene if your magazines are for sale. Polypropylene is super-high clarity and has a glossy sheen to it that makes the colors of the magazine covers pop. If you want to catch the eye of a potential buyer, polypropylene is the sleeve to use. You might also enjoy that look, which is fine. They can be used for personal storage as well. They are thinner (1.5 mil) than the comparable sleeve in Polyethylene( 3 mil) which is one of the reasons for the high-clarity, but the thinner the sleeve, the less protection for the magazine.
REGULAR Magazine Sleeve with Reseal Flap.
Regular Magazine Sleeve 8-5/8 x 11-1/8″. 3 mil POLYETHYLENE. 1-1/2″ Resealable flap. The tape is on the body of the bag.
Use Polyethylene if you are you putting your magazines into permanent storage. Polyethylene is a little less clear than Polypropylene, but it does have excellent contact clarity. The 3 mil material offers better protection for the corners and edges of the magazine. Polyethylene is more “forgiving” than Polypropylene. If your magazine is a little thicker than most or has an insert (CD, map, poster), polyethylene has a bit of a stretch to it and will accommodate extra thickness without the sleeve splitting or bending the magazine.
