Disclosed are packaged fibrous material bales and methods for packaging fibrous materials such as cellulose acetate tow bales. The packaged fibrous material bale may comprise a compressed fibrous material enclosed in packaging. The packaging may comprise an upper sheet and a lower sheet comprising a tab. After the residual forces in the packaged bale have equilibrated following pressing, greater than 99% of the surface area of the bale is enclosed by the packaging.