Kraft bags are paper bags made from natural brown kraft paper, usually with gusseted sides, a flat bottom and handles, used to carry retail purchases, takeout meals, bakery orders and gifts. The Best Price Boxes makes custom kraft bags to your size and artwork with no minimum order, and we will beat a written quote for the same specs.
What makes kraft different
Kraft paper is made from wood pulp using the sulfate process, which leaves long fibers and a strong, slightly rough sheet. That is why a kraft bag tears less than a thinner white bag of the same weight. The natural brown color comes from leaving the pulp unbleached. It reads as honest and earthy, which is why coffee shops, bakeries, farm stands and craft brands use it so much.
The color also affects print. Ink on kraft looks darker and warmer than the same ink on white, and light colors can disappear. A single dark ink, such as black or deep green, usually looks sharp, while pale pastels fade. If you need accurate colors, ask us about white kraft or a bleached paper instead.
Handles, bases and weight
The three details that decide whether a bag holds up are the handle, the base and the paper weight. Twisted paper handles feel soft in the hand and suit light to medium loads. Flat paper handles are glued inside the top fold and are easy to print and stack. A flat-bottom bag with a reinforced base stands on a counter and carries boxes without collapsing. A pinch-bottom bag is flatter and suits lighter items.
Paper weight is measured in grams per square meter, and heavier is stronger but stiffer. A takeout bag for sandwiches needs far less than a bag carrying bottles of wine. Tell us what you carry and how much it weighs, and we will recommend a weight rather than guess.
Sizing a kraft bag
Bag size is described by width, gusset depth and height. Take your largest typical purchase, a boxed item or a stack of takeout containers, measure its width, depth and height, and add a little clearance so it slides in. Leave a few inches above the contents so the top can fold. If most of your orders are small, do not size for the rare large one. Order two sizes instead.
- Natural brown kraft paper, with white paper options to discuss
- Twisted or flat paper handles
- Flat-bottom or pinch-bottom construction
- One to full-color printing, Pantone matched
- Matte look that suits eco-minded brands
- Sizes drawn to your product
Paper bags are not liquid-proof. For wet or greasy food, put the food in a container first and carry the container in the bag.
Branding on a kraft bag works best when it is simple. One large logo, centered on the front panel and printed in a dark ink, is read from across a street and photographs well when a customer carries it. Fine detail and small text get lost on the textured surface, so keep type bold. If you want a pattern, a repeat of a small mark across the whole bag looks deliberate and hides small registration variations from one bag to the next.
Storage is a quiet cost of paper bags. Flat-packed bags take little room, but damp air curls the paper and weakens the glue, so keep the cartons off a concrete floor and away from dishwashing areas.
Other paper bag routes
For a wider range of kraft paper bag sizes, see kraft paper bags. If your goal is a gift bag with a ribbon or a finish, look at custom gift bags. For restaurant orders, carry out bags are closer. All bag types are in the custom bags category.
Next step: send us the item you carry, its size and weight, and a quantity. One bag is fine. We will draw it and quote it.
Frequently asked questions
What are kraft bags made of?
Kraft bags are made from kraft paper, a strong paper made from wood pulp. The natural brown color comes from leaving the pulp unbleached. White kraft is also available. Handles are usually twisted or flat paper, and the base is flat or pinched.
What is the minimum order for custom kraft bags?
There is no minimum order. A market stall can order one bag to check the size, and a retail chain can order thousands. The price-beat guarantee applies at any quantity when you bring a written quote for the same specifications.
How do I choose a kraft bag size?
Measure your largest typical purchase in width, depth and height, and add a little clearance. Leave a few inches above the contents so the top can fold. If most orders are small, order two sizes instead of one oversize bag.
Do colors print well on kraft paper?
Dark inks such as black, brown, green and navy print crisply on kraft. Light colors and pastels tend to fade because the paper is brown. For accurate colors or bright artwork, ask us about white kraft or another paper option.
Can kraft bags carry heavy items?
Strength depends on paper weight, handle type and base. A reinforced flat-bottom bag with twisted handles carries more than a light pinch-bottom bag. Tell us what you carry and its weight, and we will recommend a build that handles it.
Are kraft bags recyclable?
Plain paper bags are widely accepted in paper recycling, but local rules vary, and coatings or laminations can change that. We do not make environmental certification claims on this page. Check with your local recycler if you need a specific claim.
More Custom Bags
See the full Custom Bags range, or explore related options with no minimum order and our best-price guarantee:
