Custom Paper Bags
Carriers are the only packaging on this site that is judged in one moment: the moment someone picks it up with a full load. Almost every failure in this category happens at the handle, and almost every fix is decided before printing.
Get a price for Paper Bags
Send the size and quantity — we reply the same working day with a price, a dieline and a date. Artwork optional at this stage.
- 5styles in this range, each with its own page and price
- 100unit minimum on every style, printed or plain
- 4markets quoted in the delivery currency
- ±1mmcutting tolerance on folding board, checked on a sample
5 styles in this range
Styles we make in this range
Every one below is written up, priced and dielined. Tap a style to see how it is built.
01See the build →Black Gable Boxes
Custom black gable boxes
02See the build →Branded Brown Bags
Custom branded brown bags from 100
03See the build →Gable Boxes with Window
A gable box gives you a carton that stands on a counter, a handle that costs nothing because it is cut…
04See the build →Kraft Gable Boxes
A kraft gable box is about as simple as packaging gets: one flat blank, no glue at the closure, no…
05See the build →Red Gable Boxes
Custom red gable boxes
Side by side
Which paper bags style fits
| Style | Board | Build | Minimum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Gable Boxes | Black colored board 18–20pt; white board printed black; kraft printed black; E flute | Gable box with integral handle; crash-lock or glued base; window optional | 100 boxes | Open → |
| Branded Brown Bags | Chosen per job | See the page | 100 bags | Open → |
| Gable Boxes with Window | Food-grade kraft or white, 250–350gsm; heavier for weight | Gable-top carton with integral die-cut handle; locking base | 100 boxes | Open → |
| Kraft Gable Boxes | Natural kraft, 250–350gsm; grease-resistant food-grade for unwrapped food | Gable-top carton with integral die-cut handle; locking base | 100 boxes | Open → |
| Red Gable Boxes | Red colored board 18–20pt; white board printed red; kraft printed red; E flute | Gable box with integral handle; crash-lock or glued base; window optional | 100 boxes | Open → |
Gable boxes and paper bags solve different halves of the same job
A gable box is a rigid carton with a handle cut into the top — it holds its own shape, protects what is inside, and stands up on a counter. A paper bag is a soft carrier that folds flat, takes far more volume, and offers no protection at all.
Food goes in gable boxes because the meal has to arrive intact. Retail goes in bags because the goods are already boxed and the bag only has to carry them and look good doing it. Ordering the wrong one is the most expensive mistake in this category.
Handles, honestly rated
The handle is only ever as strong as the patch behind it. A glued handle on unreinforced kraft will tear the bag before the handle itself gives, and that failure is always blamed on the handle.
| Die-cut handle (gable) | Free, integral, no weak point — limited to the board strength |
|---|---|
| Twisted paper handle | Glued in, comfortable, good to a moderate load |
| Flat paper handle | Cheaper, wider, spreads load better than twisted |
| Ribbon or cord | Luxury look, knotted or crimped, lightest loads only |
| Punched hole with patch | Reinforced, flat-packs, popular on rigid-feel bags |
Tell us the heaviest load the bag will carry, in kilograms. It changes the paper weight, not the price of the handle.
Kraft, black and white are three different printing surfaces
If your brand color has to be exact, start from white. If your brand is happy being warm, kraft is cheaper and more distinctive. The choice between them is a design decision that sets the whole cost of the print.
- Natural kraft. Warm brown, prints beautifully in one or two colors, mutes everything else. Full-color photography on kraft never looks like the proof.
- White. Neutral, takes full color accurately, shows scuffs and finger marks fastest.
- Black. Solid black board rather than printed black — no scuffing on the crease, but anything printed on top has to be foil, white ink or a spot varnish.
Windows on a food carrier
A window in a gable box sells the food and lets heat and steam escape unevenly. On anything hot and crisp that is an advantage; on anything hot and soft it will let the top dry out. Filmed windows do the opposite and trap steam, which turns a pastry soggy.
For bakery and hot food specifically, the venting logic matters more than the view — the same reasoning we set out for bakery boxes and window builds.
Bottom gussets and why bags fall over
A bag with a shallow bottom gusset will not stand, and a bag that does not stand gets packed badly at the counter. The gusset should be at least a third of the bag width for anything that has to sit on a surface while being filled.
Adding a card base insert is the cheap fix and it works, but it is a second component. Widening the gusset costs paper and nothing else.
Across the range
What every paper bags job runs on
Boards
- Natural kraft
- White SBS
- E and B flute
- Wrapped grayboard
- Food-grade board
- Recycled content
Chosen from what goes in the box and how far it travels. Our notes on recyclable and compostable stocks say which claims each board can carry.
Finishes
- Matte
- Gloss
- Soft-touch
- Foil
- Emboss
- Spot UV
- Kraft
- Textured
Each one is a decision about light on a shelf — the specialty finishes range shows them on real boxes.
Artwork
- Vector PDF or AI, fonts outlined
- 3 mm bleed, 4 mm safe area
- CMYK; a spot color where a match must hold
- Proof on the dieline before press
Files not set up that way are fine — see the guide to preparing print files.
Interactive · five steps · no sign-up
Build your Paper Bags in 3D
Pick a shape, type a size, choose a board and a finish. The preview on the left redraws as you go, and the spec lands with us exactly as you set it.
Frequently asked questions
Got a question about paper bags? The answers below cover what we get asked most. If yours is not here, send it with a brief, message us on WhatsApp, or call +1 503-461-4788 — we reply the same working day.
How much weight will a paper bag actually take?
It depends on the paper weight and the handle patch far more than on size. Give us the load in kilograms.
Can gable boxes hold hot food?
Yes, on food-grade board. Decide about the window first — it changes how the food travels.
Is printing on kraft cheaper?
The bag is, usually. The print is not — kraft often needs a white underbase to hold a bright color.
Do paper bags and gable boxes ship flat?
Both do. Bags fold flat by design, and gable boxes arrive as flat cartons that fold up on the counter with the handle cut into the top.
What is the minimum order for paper bags or gable boxes?
100 units, in natural kraft, white or solid black board, with any handle type. Food-grade stock is available on every carrier.
Why does my bag fall over on the counter?
The bottom gusset is too shallow. It should be at least a third of the bag width for anything filled standing up.
How much storage space do gable boxes and carriers need?
Very little, because they arrive flat. Food businesses buy gable boxes by the hundred and keep them behind the till until each is folded for an order.
Which handle is strongest on a paper bag?
A flat paper handle spreads the load better than a twisted one, but any glued handle is only as strong as the patch behind it. Unreinforced kraft tears before the handle gives.
Should I choose kraft, white or black paper bags?
White if your brand color has to be exact; kraft if the brand is happy being warm, as it is cheaper and distinctive. Black board takes foil, white ink or spot varnish on top.
Can gable boxes have a window?
Yes, open die-cut or filmed. An open window vents steam, which suits hot and crisp food; a filmed one traps it and can turn a pastry soggy.
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