Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed which relate to using a use large area surface sampler with invertible bag for collection of biological and non-biological particles prior to subsequent analysis. The large area surface sampler with invertible bag uses an inverted bag with bonded sampling material to first serve as a sampling device followed by the bag being turned right side out and the captured particles being extracted inside of the bag. The device includes measures for sealing liquid in the sampling material using a protective cup at time of manufacture. This enables users to simply remove the protective cup and perform wet surface sampling prior to turning the bag right side out and removing captured particles from the sampling material with repeated compressions. The described device, systems and methods allow users to capture and elute surface samples for human clinical, veterinary, food safety, pharmaceutical, outbreak investigations, forensics, biodefense and bioterrorism response, environmental monitoring, and other applications where collection of samples from surfaces and humans or animals is required.