Paper bags
Printed flat handle paper bags
Flat handle bags have folded paper tape handles glued inside the top, so they sit flat and stack neatly behind the counter. They're a practical bag for takeaway food, bakeries, markets and events. We print them with your logo in brown or white kraft, and quote every order by hand.
Priced for your job, not from a list
Paper bags are quoted by hand. Tell us the quantity, size and paper, add your logo, and we'll email you a written price with no obligation.
A bag built for the counter
A flat handle is a strip of paper folded into a flat tape and glued inside the top of the bag. Because the handles lie flat, the bags stack tightly and take up little room under a till or on a packing bench.
Most flat handle bags have a wide, square base, so boxes and food containers sit level instead of tipping. That's why they're the usual choice for takeaway and bakery orders. See our page on takeaway bags for more on sizing food orders.
They work just as well in shops, at markets and at events, anywhere you hand over lots of bags in a short time. Our café bags page has more ideas for food businesses.
Flat or twisted handles?
Both are strong, all-paper carrier bags. The difference is how they feel and how they store.
| Flat handle | Twisted handle | |
|---|---|---|
| Handle | A flat folded paper tape | A round twisted paper cord |
| In the hand | Fine for short carries | Rounder and more comfortable for longer carries |
| Storage | Stacks flat and tight | Handles stand up, so stacks are bulkier |
| Base | Usually wide and square | Usually narrower, with a side gusset |
| Best for | Takeaway, bakeries, markets, events | Shops, boutiques, bookshops, delis |
Still deciding? See twisted handle paper bags, or tell us what the bag is for and we'll suggest one.
Paper, size and print
Paper
Brown kraft is the natural, unbleached paper most people know. White kraft gives your colours a cleaner, brighter base. Both are strong papers made for carrier bags. Our kraft paper bags page compares them side by side.
Size
We don't work from a fixed list of stock sizes. Most orders are small, medium or large, or you can tell us your own measurements. For food, the easiest way is to tell us the containers you use and how many go in one bag.
We print in solid spot colours, matched to your file or to Pantone references. A single colour on brown kraft is simple and bold, and every extra colour adds its own set-up. The print sits on the flat front and back, clear of the folds and the handle area. We check your artwork for free and email a proof before anything is printed.
Questions people ask
What is a flat handle paper bag?
It's a paper carrier bag with flat paper tape handles glued inside the top. The handles fold down, so the bags stack flat. They're common for takeaway food, bakeries and market stalls.
Are flat handle bags strong enough for takeaway?
Yes, for boxed or packed food. The wide base keeps containers level. Tell us what goes in the bag and how many containers, and we'll quote a size and paper weight that suits.
Is there a minimum order?
There's no fixed minimum. We quote each order by hand, and the price per bag falls as the quantity goes up because the set-up is shared across more bags.
Can you print on both sides?
Yes. Tell us when you ask for a quote. Printing both sides costs more than one, so some customers print the logo on the front and keep the back plain.
Can you match my brand colour?
We print spot colours matched to your file, or to a Pantone reference if you give us one. On brown kraft the paper shows through the ink, so colours look deeper. White kraft gives a closer match.
Other paper bags
Paper bags
Takeaway bags
Wide-based paper bags for cafés, restaurants and food to go, printed with your logo.
Paper bags
Twisted handle bags
The everyday paper carrier bag, in brown or white kraft, printed with your logo.
Get a quote for flat handle bags
Tell us the quantity, the paper and what goes in the bag. Add your logo and we'll check it for free.
- A written price by email, with no obligation
- A free check of your artwork
- A proof to approve before anything is printed