A branded paper bag keeps working long after the sale. Customers carry it down the street, reuse it for lunch and keep the nice ones in a cupboard. Here's how to choose the right custom paper shopping bag.
Step 1: Choose your handle
The handle affects comfort, strength, look and price.
Twisted paper handles are the classic retail bag. They're strong, comfortable and work for everything from boutiques to bakeries. Custom shopping bags with twisted handles come in eight sizes.
Flat paper handles are wide and comfortable, fold neatly for storage, and are popular for takeaway food and grocery-style orders. See flat handle paper bags.
Die-cut handles are cut straight into the bag. There's no separate handle, so the look is clean and modern, ideal for lighter items. See the kraft die-cut handle bag.
Ribbon or rope handles feel luxurious and suit jewellery, cosmetics, flowers and gifts.
Step 2: White or brown kraft?
- Brown kraft looks natural and earthy, hides scuffs, and suits cafes, bakeries, farm shops and eco brands.
- White kraft makes colours brighter and more accurate. Choose it if your brand colours are pastel, bright or need to match exactly.
Printing a light colour on brown kraft? Choose the white underprint option where it's offered. It's a layer of white ink under your design that keeps light colours from looking muddy.
Step 3: Ink or foil?
Ink print reproduces any colour and suits detailed logos and illustrations.
Metallic foil (gold, silver and colours) adds a premium shine that ink can't match. It works best with simple logos and bold type.
For the most premium look, combine a rich solid bag colour with a foil logo. Our foil stamped shopping bags come in colours from sage to navy with gold, silver or coloured foil.
Step 4: Pick your sizes
Most shops need two sizes: a small one for single items and a medium or large one for bigger purchases. Measure your most common purchases and choose bags they fit into comfortably, with room for tissue paper if you use it.
| Size | Good for |
|---|---|
| Small (around 6" x 8") | Jewellery, cosmetics, gift cards, single pastries |
| Medium (around 8"–10" x 11"–13") | Apparel, books, coffee bags, boxed gifts |
| Large (11"+ wide) | Multiple items, shoe boxes, grocery-style orders |
Design tips for shopping bags
- Go big and simple. A large logo in one colour is often more striking than a busy design.
- Print both sides. Bags are seen from every angle as people walk.
- Add your website or Instagram handle on a side panel.
- Match your store. The bag should feel like a piece of your interior and branding.
Are paper bags eco-friendly?
Paper bags are widely recyclable, and a sturdy, attractive bag gets reused, which matters even more. Choosing a quality bag people want to keep is one of the most sustainable choices you can make.
The takeaway
Choose a handle that fits your products, a paper colour that suits your brand, ink or foil for the finish, and two sizes that cover most purchases. Then pick a bag, choose your options and design it in the PakGenie studio.
