Description
Why choose custom paper bags
A printed bag turns packaging into advertising at roughly the cost of the packaging alone. Bags ship and store flat, weigh very little, and cost less to freight than rigid alternatives. For a launch, a seasonal range or a market stall, a branded bag is usually the cheapest brand impression you can buy.
Materials and finishes options
Paper weight decides what the bag can carry. Kraft at 70 to 120 gsm suits lightweight merchandise and food service. Retail totes sit at 150 to 190 gsm. Premium bags carrying weight or a boxed item run 200 to 250 gsm, often with a turnover top and a reinforced base insert.
Stock options are natural brown kraft for a plain look, white kraft for clean colour, recycled kraft, and art paper laminated for a premium finish.
Handles matter as much as the paper. Twisted paper cord is the standard retail handle. Flat paper tape is cheaper and suits lighter loads. Cotton rope handles carry more weight and read premium. Die-cut patch handles keep the profile flat for slim bags.
Finishes cover matte and gloss lamination, soft touch, foil stamping, embossing and spot varnish.
Printing and custom options
Flexographic printing is the economical route at volume. Offset litho-lamination gives photographic quality for gradients and imagery. Screen printing suits simple one or two colour logos on kraft.
Print outside, inside, or across the gusset. Pantone matching holds brand colour consistent across reprints, and we manage colour across the run so a repeat order matches the first.
Eco-friendly and sustainability
FSC certified stock, recycled and PCR content, water-based inks and low-VOC coatings are all available.
Worth knowing before you specify a finish: an unlaminated paper bag is recyclable in most US programs, and lamination usually takes it out of that stream. If recyclability is the point of switching to paper, skip the film and use an uncoated or varnished finish instead.
Several states regulate carryout bags directly. California, for example, requires paper carryout bags to contain at least 40 percent post-consumer recycled content and to be labelled accordingly. Tell us where you trade and we will specify to that rule rather than guessing.
Why choose Multiple Packages for your custom paper bags
Our team handles prepress, proofing and production, and we check colour and structure before committing a full run. You get a free dieline, a digital proof, and a physical sample on request.
Low-MOQ ordering starts paper bags from 100 units, so an independent shop and a chain can use the same setup. Production runs about 7 to 10 business days after proof approval, with a rush option from 4 to 5 business days on print ready artwork, and free shipping across the USA.
Partner with us for premium custom paper bags
Send your bag size, handle preference, load weight and quantity, and we will recommend the paper weight, handle and finish to match, then quote it with a dieline.
FAQs
What paper weight do I need for a retail bag? 150 to 190 gsm covers most retail. Go to 200 to 250 gsm with a reinforced base if you are carrying boxed goods, bottles or anything over about 5 kg.
How much weight can a custom paper bag hold? A 150 gsm twisted handle tote typically carries around 5 kg. Heavier stock, a rope handle and a base insert take that higher. Tell us the filled weight and we specify to it rather than to a size.
Which handle type should I choose? Twisted paper cord for general retail, flat paper tape for light loads and lower cost, cotton rope for premium and heavier bags, die-cut patch handles for slim profiles.
Are laminated paper bags recyclable? Usually not. Film lamination takes a bag out of the paper stream in most US programs. Uncoated or varnished bags stay recyclable.
Do your bags meet state carryout bag laws? We can build to state requirements, including California’s 40 percent post-consumer recycled content rule and its labelling requirement. Confirm the states you sell in when you request a quote.
Can paper bags be used for food? Yes, with greaseproof or grease-resistant stock and food-contact compliant materials under FDA 21 CFR 176.170. Say what you are packing and we will specify the right liner.
