1 / 4Custom Paper Bags (Printed Kraft Bags with Logo)
Custom printed paper bags with your logo. Brown or white kraft, 60 to 70 lb basis weight, twisted or flat paper handles, sized to carry your boxes. One or two-sided printing with a 6 to 8 day turnaround.
- Digital proof before production
- Free design support
- CMYK or Pantone colors
- Ships to all 50 states
Custom paper bags are kraft paper shopping bags printed with your logo, colors or artwork, with handles for carrying purchases out of a store, bakery or restaurant. Urgent Custom Boxes makes them in brown and white kraft with twisted or flat paper handles. Because we also make your boxes, we size every bag to fit the boxes that go inside it.
Custom paper bags are made from brown or white kraft paper, usually 60 to 70 lb basis weight for retail use, with twisted paper handles for shopping bags or flat handles for takeout and grocery. A typical twisted handle bag carries about 8 to 13 lb depending on size, and an uncoated kraft bag is curbside recyclable.
We print bags on one or both sides in Pantone or CMYK colors, with free design support and unlimited proof revisions. Standard orders arrive in 6 to 8 business days after proof approval, rush orders take 4 to 6 business days, and shipping is free to all 50 states.
How to read a paper bag size
A bag listed as 10 x 5 x 13 is 10 in wide, has a 5 in gusset (the folded side panel that sets the depth), and stands 13 in tall. Bags with a gusset are always written Width x Gusset x Height. Flat bags with no gusset use only two numbers. Every size on this page follows that format.
Pick Your Handle
The handle sets how the bag looks, how much it carries and what it costs. Choose by what goes inside.
| Handle | Look | Strength | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twisted paper | Round, rope-like, classic retail | High, glued under a reinforced top fold | Medium | Boutiques, gift shops, cosmetics, bakeries |
| Flat paper | Flat strip, practical | Medium to high | Lowest | Takeout, grocery, high-volume counters |
| Die-cut | Hand hole cut into the bag top | Lower, best for light items | Low | Events, trade shows, light retail |
Twisted handles are glued under the top fold, so the load spreads across the whole bag collar instead of pulling on one point. Larger bags add reinforced handle patches inside the bag. Flat handles are glued on wide patches inside the bag and are the standard for takeout and grocery, where cost per bag matters most.
What Size Paper Bag Do You Need?
Choose a paper bag whose gusset is at least as deep as your box and whose width is about 1 in wider than the box. That way the box drops in flat and stands upright. If you sell boxed products, size the bag from the box, not from a stock bag chart.
Most bag suppliers sell a fixed chart of sizes and let you guess. Because we make your boxes too, we start from the box dimensions and size the bag around them.
Common Stock Sizes
Bags Sized to Your Boxes
| Your box | Recommended bag | Handle |
|---|---|---|
| Candle or cosmetic box | Pulse size, 8 x 4.5 x 10.25 | Twisted |
| Rigid gift box, about 10 x 8 x 4 in | Custom about 11 x 5 x 12 | Twisted |
| Cake or pastry box, about 10 x 10 x 5 in | Custom wide gusset about 11 x 10 x 12 | Flat or twisted |
| Two quart Chinese takeout boxes | Takeout bag about 14 x 10 x 15.75 | Flat |
| Mailer box for in-store pickup | Gusset matched to box depth | Twisted |
Leave room for the handles. A box that sits higher than the bag’s top fold makes the bag hard to close and pulls on the handles. Send your box sizes with your quote and we return a bag size that fits.
How Much Weight Can a Paper Bag Hold?
A twisted handle kraft shopping bag typically holds about 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) in a small size up to about 6 kg (13 lb) in an extra-large size. Capacity depends on paper basis weight, bag size and handle reinforcement. Retail bags should be at least 60 lb basis weight. Bags under that rip more easily when loaded.
Basis weight is the standard US measure of paper thickness for bags. A higher number means thicker, stronger paper.
| Basis weight | Metric equivalent | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 40 to 50 lb | About 65 to 80 gsm | Small, light items, produce bags |
| 60 lb | About 100 gsm | Standard retail shopping bags |
| 65 lb | About 105 gsm | Medium to large retail bags |
| 70 lb | About 115 gsm | Large bags, heavier boxed goods |
- Match paper to bag size. Large bags need heavier paper, because the same weight spread over a wider panel tears more easily.
- Use twisted handles with reinforcement patches for anything over a few pounds.
- Keep it dry. Kraft paper loses strength when wet, so use a moisture-resistant option for cold or condensation-prone items.
- Load boxes flat on the base. A bag carries more when the weight sits evenly on the square bottom instead of pressing on one corner.
Brown Kraft vs White Kraft for Your Logo
The paper color changes how your logo prints. Choose it based on your brand colors.
| Brown kraft | White kraft | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Natural, earthy, eco-led | Clean, bright, modern |
| Print color | Mutes bright colors, darkens light ones | Shows true, vivid color |
| Best artwork | One or two bold colors, black or white ink | Full color, photos, pastel brand palettes |
| Popular with | Bakeries, coffee shops, farm-to-table, eco brands | Cosmetics, fashion, gift shops |
Brown kraft is unbleached, so its natural tan base shows through ink. Bold one-color logos in black, white, deep red or navy look sharp on it. Light pinks, yellows and pastels can look dull. If your brand colors are bright or soft, white kraft gives you the color you see on screen.
Printing Your Logo
- One side or two: print the front only, or both sides with the same or different designs.
- Full coverage: cover the bag in color or a repeating pattern, not just a logo.
- Pantone matching: brand colors matched to your Pantone codes.
- Inks: water-based and soy inks keep the bag recyclable.
- Top edge: a serrated top (a zig-zag cut edge) is standard on stock bags. A clean flush cut gives a more finished retail look.
Our designers set up your artwork on the bag dieline and send a digital proof before production.
Are Custom Paper Bags Recyclable?
Yes. Uncoated kraft paper bags with paper handles are curbside recyclable in most US programs, and they break down naturally. Laminated bags with a plastic film finish are not accepted in paper recycling, so choose uncoated kraft if recyclability matters to your customers.
A kraft bag with twisted or flat paper handles is made entirely of paper and glue, so customers can drop the whole bag in their recycling bin without removing anything. Recycled-content kraft and FSC-certified paper are available for brands that report on sourcing. Water-based and soy inks keep the printed bag recyclable.
Many customers reuse a sturdy branded bag before recycling it. A well-made bag that gets reused carries your logo around town for weeks, not just from the counter to the car.
Paper Bags by Business
| Business | Typical bag | Pair it with |
|---|---|---|
| Boutiques and apparel | Twisted handle, white kraft, full color | Custom tissue paper and apparel boxes |
| Bakeries and cafes | Wide gusset, brown kraft, one color | Custom bakery boxes |
| Restaurants and takeout | Flat handle, brown kraft | Chinese takeout boxes and food trays |
| Cosmetics and skincare | Small twisted handle, white kraft | Cosmetic boxes |
| Candles and home goods | Pulse or Pixie size, twisted handle | Candle boxes |
| Corporate gifting and events | Twisted handle, two-sided print | Rigid gift boxes and crinkle paper |
Pricing
Custom paper bag pricing depends mainly on size, handle type and quantity, and the unit price drops as your order grows. White kraft, two-sided printing, full coverage and heavier paper add a small amount per bag. Flat handles cost less than twisted. We charge no plate or setup fees, artwork stays on file for reorders, and if you have a lower written quote for the same specs, we price below it.
What to Send for an Exact Quote
- Bag size. Or the size of the box that goes inside.
- Handle type. Twisted, flat or die-cut.
- Paper. Brown or white kraft.
- Print. One or two sides, number of colors.
- Quantity and date. Plus your logo file in AI, EPS or PDF.
Custom Paper Bags FAQs
Can I print a different design on each side?
Yes. The front and back can carry different artwork, such as your logo on the front and your website or social handles on the back.
Can paper bags carry food?
Yes, for boxed or wrapped food. Takeout boxes, bakery boxes and wrapped sandwiches travel well in kraft bags. For loose food that touches the paper directly, use a food-grade wrap or box inside the bag.
Do the bags ship flat?
Yes. Bags ship flat and stacked, which saves storage space behind the counter. They open to full shape in seconds.
Can I order a sample before a full run?
Yes. Request a sample on your quote to check paper weight, handle strength and print quality with your real boxes inside.
Do you offer rush orders?
Yes. Rush orders are ready in 4 to 6 business days. Add your event or launch date to the quote notes.
Get Your Custom Paper Bags Quoted
Send your size, quantity and logo. Our design team returns a digital proof before production.