Paper bags
Printed laminated paper bags
A laminated bag has a thin film over the paper, in matt, gloss or soft-touch. It makes colours richer, keeps the bag clean and helps it shrug off scuffs and light rain. We print laminated bags with your logo, usually with rope or ribbon handles, and quote every order by hand.
Why laminate a paper bag?
Lamination seals the printed paper under a very thin film. Colours look deeper and more even, dark bags stay dark instead of scuffing to grey, and the bag can take a wipe or a shower of rain without marking.
It also changes how the bag feels. Matt feels smooth and understated, gloss looks bright and shiny, and soft-touch has a velvety feel that people notice as soon as they pick it up.
Laminated bags are usually luxury bags, with a folded top, a card base and rope or ribbon handles. Ask for a quote with your quantity and the finish you like.
Matt, gloss or soft-touch?
| Finish | Look and feel | Good for | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt | Smooth, low sheen, understated | Fashion, beauty, dark bag colours | Pairs well with spot UV or foil, which stand out against it |
| Gloss | Shiny, bright and vivid | Bold colours, gifts, events | Reflects light, so the print can catch the glare at some angles |
| Soft-touch | Velvety, almost suede-like | Premium beauty, jewellery, gifts | Can show marks more easily on very dark colours |
Not sure which? Tell us your brand and what the bag is for, and we'll suggest one.
Laminated or plain paper?
Laminated bags look and wear better, but the film makes them harder to recycle than plain paper. A clean, unlaminated kraft bag can usually go straight in paper recycling. A laminated bag often can't, depending on the local council.
So it's a trade-off. If your customers reuse the bag, as they often do with a smart luxury bag, lamination helps it last. If you'd like a bag that's simple to recycle, luxury kraft bags give a premium feel without the film.
Adding a finish
Laminated bags are the natural base for finishes. Spot UV adds a glossy layer on just your logo, which stands out best on matt. Hot foil adds gold, silver or another metallic. Embossing raises your logo off the surface. Each needs its own tooling, so we quote them on request. See paper bag finishes for more.
What to tell us for a quote
- How many bags, or two or three quantities to compare.
- The size, or what goes in the bag.
- The bag colour, and whether you want matt, gloss or soft-touch.
- Handle type and colour: rope or ribbon.
- Any finish, such as foil, spot UV or embossing.
- Your logo and how many colours it uses. Vector files are best. Free artwork check
- The date you need them by.
Questions people ask
What is a laminated paper bag?
It's a paper bag with a thin film laid over the printed paper, in matt, gloss or soft-touch. The film protects the print, deepens the colour and helps the bag resist scuffs and light rain.
Are laminated paper bags waterproof?
They're water resistant rather than waterproof. The film protects the outside from splashes and light rain, but the bag isn't sealed, so it won't survive being soaked.
Are laminated bags recyclable?
They're harder to recycle than plain paper, because the film has to be separated from the paper. If easy recycling matters most, choose an unlaminated kraft bag instead.
Matt or gloss: which looks more premium?
Matt tends to look more understated and upmarket, especially on dark colours, which is why many shops and boutiques choose it. Gloss is brighter and bolder. Soft-touch is the most tactile of the three.
Is there a minimum order?
There's no fixed minimum. Laminated bags are quoted by hand, and a bag made to order in your own colour, or with a finish, makes more sense on a larger run. We'll quote whatever quantity you need.
Other paper bags
Paper bags
Luxury rope handle bags
Heavier paper, rope handles and a reinforced top, for boutiques, beauty and gifts.
Paper bags
Gift bags
Small and medium printed gift bags for shops, corporate gifts, events and weddings.
Get a quote for laminated bags
Tell us the quantity, size, bag colour and finish. 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