Paper bags
Printed kraft paper bags
Kraft is the strong paper most carrier bags are made from. Brown kraft is unbleached, with a natural look. White kraft is bleached, so your colours print cleaner and brighter. We print both with your logo, with twisted, flat or rope handles, and quote every order by hand.
Why kraft?
Kraft paper is made from long wood fibres that are left strong, which is where the name comes from: kraft is German for strength. It's tough enough to carry shopping without tearing, and it folds and glues cleanly into a bag.
Brown kraft has become the look of the independent shop, the deli and the farmers' market. It says natural and unfussy before anyone reads your logo.
All our paper bags are quoted by hand. Ask for a quote with your quantity, the paper colour and your logo.
Brown or white kraft?
| Brown kraft | White kraft | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Natural, earthy, handmade feel | Clean, bright, modern |
| How colours print | The brown shows through, so colours look deeper and softer | Colours stay close to your brand colours |
| Best print colours | White, black, dark green, navy, deep red | Almost any colour, including light and bright ones |
| Good for | Delis, farm shops, cafés, bookshops, eco-minded brands | Fashion, beauty, pharmacies, brands with bright colours |
| Handles | Twisted, flat or rope | Twisted, flat or rope |
Printing on kraft paper
Kraft is uncoated, so the ink soaks into the surface rather than sitting on top. That gives a soft, slightly matt print that suits the paper.
On brown kraft
Think of the brown as a mid-tone background. White ink stands out best and is the classic look. Black and dark colours work well too. Pale colours such as light blue or yellow sink into the brown and lose their punch, so we'll tell you if we think yours will.
On white kraft
White kraft behaves more like printing on paper you know. Your colours stay closer to how they look on screen, and bright colours hold their brightness.
Keep it bold
Very thin lines and small text can soften on uncoated paper. Bold logos and clear type print best. We print solid spot colours, matched to your file or to Pantone references, and email a proof before anything is printed. Our free artwork check will flag anything that might not print well.
How paper compares
How many times each bag needs to be used to match the climate impact of one single-use plastic carrier bag used once. A paper bag gets there quickly, but a cotton bag lasts far longer if it's reused. Read more in are tote bags sustainable?
- uses for a paper bag
- 3
- Environment Agency, 2011
- uses for a thick plastic bag for life
- 4
- Environment Agency, 2011
- uses for a woven polypropylene bag
- 11
- Environment Agency, 2011
- uses for a cotton bag
- 131
- Environment Agency, 2011
Questions people ask
What is kraft paper?
Kraft paper is a strong paper made from wood pulp by a process that keeps the fibres long. Brown kraft is left unbleached. White kraft is bleached. Both are used for carrier bags because they are tough and fold cleanly.
Can you print white ink on brown kraft?
Yes. White on brown kraft is one of the most popular looks for paper bags, and it stands out well.
Will my colours look the same on brown kraft?
Not quite. The brown shows through the ink, so colours look deeper and softer than on screen. If an exact brand colour matters, white kraft gives a closer match.
Are kraft paper bags recyclable?
A clean, unlaminated kraft bag with paper handles can usually go in paper recycling. Bags with rope handles or a laminated finish are harder to recycle. Your customers should check what their local council accepts.
Do you have kraft bags made from recycled paper?
Ask us. Tell us if recycled paper matters to you when you ask for a quote, and we'll tell you what's available in the size and style you need.
Is there a minimum order?
There's no fixed minimum. Every paper order is quoted by hand, and the price per bag falls as the quantity rises.
Other paper bags
Paper bags
Twisted handle bags
The everyday paper carrier bag, in brown or white kraft, printed with your logo.
Paper bags
Flat handle bags
Practical paper bags that stack flat, for takeaway, bakeries and busy counters.
Paper bags
Luxury rope handle bags
Heavier paper, rope handles and a reinforced top, for boutiques, beauty and gifts.
Get a quote for kraft bags
Tell us the quantity, brown or white, the size and the handle. 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