Custom Bags

Kraft Paper Bags

Made-to-order kraft Paper Bags in virgin kraft paper, printed to your artwork and cut to your dimensions.

Minimum order
100 units
Production
3–5 business days
Construction
paper bag
Delivery
US, UK, Canada, Australia

No obligation

Price this format

Name, email, phone and what you are packing. Attach artwork if you have it. We reply with a specification and a written price, usually within one business day.

The more detail you give, the more accurate the quote.

Drop files here or browse

PDF, AI, EPS, SVG, PNG, JPG, WEBP or ZIP. Up to 5 files, 10 MB each.

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    What kraft paper bags have to cope with

    Kraft Paper Bags hold a mixed retail purchase — a few items of unremarkable weight, carried out of a shop. That is the starting point for the specification, because reinforcing the top edge does more for load capacity than upgrading the handle, because that is where the failure actually starts.

    In service they are used for general retail where the bag leaves the shop and is judged by how it holds up on the walk home.

    Presentation on the shelf

    Shelf presence is decided at arm's length, not close up. Contrast, the front panel hierarchy and how the pack sits next to competitors matter more than a finish that only reads in the hand.

    If kraft paper bags will be faced on a shelf, tell us the facing orientation so the strongest panel is the one the customer sees.

    Where kraft paper bags are actually used

    Kraft Paper Bags are specified for general retail where the bag leaves the shop and is judged by how it holds up on the walk home. Reinforcing the top edge does more for load capacity than upgrading the handle, because that is where the failure actually starts.

    • General retail where the bag leaves the shop and is judged by how it holds up on the walk home
    • In-store purchases
    • Bakery and takeaway counters
    • Boutique retail

    The substrate for kraft paper bags

    100gsm kraft for light contents, 150gsm as the practical retail default, 170gsm where anything heavy or boxed goes in.

    The options we would consider for this format are below; reinforcing the top edge does more for load capacity than upgrading the handle, because that is where the failure actually starts.

    • Virgin kraft paper
    • Recycled kraft paper
    • White kraft paper
    • Coated art paper
    • Greaseproof paper

    The environmental claim you can defend

    Recycled content, kerbside recyclability and certified compostability are three different claims requiring three different kinds of evidence. Brands get into trouble by treating them as one.

    Tell us which claim you intend to print on the pack and we will specify a material that supports it, or say plainly that it does not exist at your price point.

    Printing kraft paper bags

    Heavy coverage on unbleached kraft reads muddy. One or two colours generally look better and cost less.

    Flexography, Offset lithography, Digital press are all available for this format. Run length usually decides which is cheapest: digital removes the plate cost on short quantities, offset and flexo overtake it at volume.

    Finishing kraft paper bags

    Heavy coverage on unbleached kraft reads muddy. One or two colours generally look better and cost less.

    The finishes below are quoted line by line. Each is an additional pass, so dropping one is a real saving rather than a rounding difference.

    • Matte lamination
    • Gloss lamination
    • Foil stamping
    • Spot UV
    • Uncoated natural kraft

    Sizing kraft paper bags

    Quoted width × gusset × height; a common retail size is 8 × 4 × 10 in, with 10 × 5 × 13 in for larger purchases.

    Send the contents rather than a box size. The gusset is guessed rather than measured, and a boxed product then will not sit flat in the bag.

    Getting artwork press-ready

    Allow for the bottom fold and side gussets on the dieline, and keep logos clear of the crease lines so they read cleanly when the bag is open.

    Supply a print-ready PDF or vector file with fonts outlined and images at 300 dpi. Our prepress team checks every file before a proof is issued. The check that catches most files is type sitting too close to a crease, which is easier to move at layout than at proof.

    What we need from you

    Tell us what goes inside, how many you need and when. Those three answers are enough for us to specify and price the job properly.

    You approve the quote, we send the dieline, prepress proofs it, and production follows. The proof stage is where changes are still free.

    Sampling before you order

    We can produce a plain unprinted sample so you can check the fit and structure of kraft paper bags before committing.

    Sample costs are normally credited against the production order.

    Reference

    Kraft Paper Bags at a specification level

    ProductKraft Paper Bags
    CategoryCustom Bags
    ConstructionSide-gusseted, bottom-glued
    Paper weight100gsm – 200gsm depending on load
    HandlesTwisted paper, flat paper, rope or ribbon
    MaterialsVirgin kraft paper, Recycled kraft paper, White kraft paper, Coated art paper
    PrintingFlexography, Offset lithography, Digital press
    FinishesMatte lamination, Gloss lamination, Foil stamping, Spot UV, Uncoated natural kraft
    Minimum orderMinimum order is 100 units on any format, and unit cost falls sharply as the quantity rises.
    Lead time3 to 5 business days after artwork approval
    ShippingAcross the US, UK, Canada and Australia

    Specification builder

    Specify Kraft Paper Bags in under a minute

    Set what you know, leave the rest. Everything here travels with your request, so nothing gets retyped.

    • 100-unit minimum
    • 3–5 day production
    • Free dieline
    • No obligation
    Approximation only — proportions, colour family and finish character. Not a colour proof, and the panel shown is a placeholder, not your artwork.
    Packaging type
    Box style
    Quantity
    Colour
    Material
    Printing
    Finish

    Drop files or browse

    Up to 5 files, 10 MB each.

      Prices start from $0.30 per piece for large-volume orders. Final pricing depends on size, material, printing, finishes, and quantity.

      What you get

      What the material choice buys you

      Fitted to what goes in it

      Quoted width × gusset × height; a common retail size is 8 × 4 × 10 in, with 10 × 5 × 13 in for larger purchases.

      The failure we design out

      The bag tears at the top edge where the handle is fixed, rather than the handle breaking.

      What it is specified for

      Specified for general retail where the bag leaves the shop and is judged by how it holds up on the walk home.

      What decides the job

      Reinforcing the top edge does more for load capacity than upgrading the handle, because that is where the failure actually starts.

      This format sits in our custom bags range, alongside 26 other made-to-order formats.

      Answers

      Kraft Paper Bags: materials and claims

      Specification, minimums and lead times for kraft paper bags.

      What is the gusset and how do I measure it?

      It is the depth of the bag when opened out — the third dimension after width and height. Measure the widest thing you will put in, at its deepest point. Getting it wrong is the most common reason a first bag order does not fit.

      Is recycled board weaker than virgin board?

      Slightly, at the same caliper — recycled fibres are shorter, so the board is a little less stiff and takes on moisture a little faster. Stepping up one caliper generally restores the performance while keeping the recycled claim intact.

      Can you certify the recycled content?

      We can state the recycled content of the board and supply the mill documentation behind it. We do not issue certifications ourselves, and we would rather give you the underlying evidence than a claim you cannot substantiate.

      Which handle type should I choose?

      It depends on the load, not the look. Twisted paper handles suit light contents; flat paper is stronger for the same cost; cotton rope carries the most and reads as the most premium. Above a few kilos the failure point is usually the bag tearing at the handle, so a reinforced top edge matters as much as the handle itself.

      How much weight will they carry?

      That is set by the paper weight and the top-edge reinforcement together rather than by the handle alone. Tell us the heaviest thing you will put in kraft paper bags and we will specify to it rather than to an average.

      Do you offer recycled or recyclable options?

      Recycled grades are available across most of the substrates we run for paper bags. Recycled content, kerbside recyclability and certified compostability are three different claims though, so tell us which one you intend to print.

      What file format should I send artwork in?

      A print-ready PDF or a vector file, with fonts outlined and any raster images at 300 dpi at final size. We supply the dieline to design onto, and prepress checks bleed, safe area and crease clearance before issuing a proof. If you are printing on an uncoated or kraft stock, approve a printed sample rather than a digital proof — the substrate pulls colour down noticeably.

      What is the minimum order for kraft paper bags?

      A flat 100 units on any format. Most paper bags in this range are quoted from 100 units upward because unit cost falls sharply above that, but the minimum exists so you can validate a structure first.

      How long do kraft paper bags take to produce?

      3 to 5 business days after artwork approval, plus freight. Paper bag runs with applied finishes can take longer because each finish is a separate pass, and we confirm a firm date in writing with the quote.

      What do kraft paper bags cost?

      Prices start from $0.30 per piece for large-volume orders. For this format the biggest levers are quantity, print route, board grade and how many finishing passes are involved. We quote each element separately so you can see where the money is going. Finishing passes are the lever buyers most often underestimate: each one is a separate run through the line.

      Can I see a sample first?

      Yes. We can send a plain unprinted sample so you can check the fit and structure, or a printed prototype for colour and finish. Sample costs are normally credited against the production order. A plain sample answers fit and structure; a printed one answers colour. On kraft paper bags it is usually fit that is worth checking first.

      Can you match packaging we already use?

      Send the current specification or a physical sample and we will quote to match it rather than proposing an alternative you would then have to re-approve internally. A physical sample tells us more than a specification sheet — board caliper and coating are usually described loosely and measured exactly.

      Next step

      Get a price for Kraft Paper Bags

      Send the dimensions and quantity you need. We reply with a full specification and a written price, usually within one business day.