Work with care, creativity, and speed, we are dedicated to creating high-quality but cost-effective packaging for you. Services have been provided since your first message. It’s not just a packaging box, but your value from the entire packaging chain. Anytime you have no idea, we're here to give you some advice.
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A paper bag is a flexible, lightweight container made of paper, designed for carrying and storing items. It’s a popular alternative to plastic bags and comes in various sizes, shapes, and strengths, depending on its intended use. They are increasingly favored for being biodegradable, recyclable, and often made from renewable resources, making them an eco-friendly choice compared to single-use plastic bags.
Wholesale or retail public design paper shopping bags are too common, and cannot convey your unique branding value to customers. Customizing printed paper bags is a powerful way to enhance brand value, as it transforms a simple packaging item into a brand statement to strengthen brand loyalty and appeal to customers at every touchpoint.
How to custom your own paper bags to transform a basic functional item into a mobile advertisement and brand asset? You may search for many tips but still have no idea how to start, this post is an all-in-one solution to give you anatomy, and guide you step by step, you will find it so easy for luxury paper shopping bag customization.
Our minimum customized quantity:
500pcs
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When it comes to paper bag types, most suppliers will consider the handle types to make the bag types a little complicated. Actually, the custom paper bag can also be no handle or just with die-cut handle without additional handle material, if needed, handle attachment types and handle materials can all be personalized, which makes too many paper bag types.
As a professional paper bag manufacturer, we'd like to give an anatomy of luxury paper bags, and discover all you need to know about luxury paper bag customization via this post. Stripping the handle attachment types and handle materials, now let's just consider the bag body alone, according to different bag body shapes on the market, there are 6 popular paper bag types to suit different needs, functionality, and aesthetic appeal, allowing you to choose the perfect style to enhance your product presentation and branding.
rectangular horizontal or portrait
trapezoid type can be top longer
triangular type paper bag
paper bag with flap closure
purse shape gift bag handle available
other special or irregular shape bags
As a professional paper bag manufacturer, we understand that selecting the right size for a paper bag is crucial to both functionality and customer satisfaction. When a paper bag is perfectly sized for its intended use, it provides adequate space for items, ensuring they fit securely without risking damage or overcrowding. Bags that are too large for the items inside may lead to shifting and breakage, while bags that are too small can cause items to spill or tear the bag. A properly sized bag offers optimal protection and durability, especially for fragile or heavy items, and supports a smooth shopping experience for customers.
Additionally, the right bag size enhances brand presentation and cost efficiency. Choosing an appropriate size prevents unnecessary material use, helping to reduce waste and lower production costs.
Measuring a paper bag accurately is essential to ensure it fits your needs and products. Tips to confirm the size
Current paper bag design trends focus on sustainability, minimalism, and innovative visual elements that enhance both functionality and brand identity. Here’s a look at some of the most popular trends in paper bag design today:
Brands are increasingly opting for recycled or biodegradable materials, including unbleached kraft paper and soy-based inks, to appeal to eco-conscious consumers. Sustainability is now a priority for consumers. Bags made from recyclable materials with minimal environmental impact reinforce a brand's commitment to eco-friendly practices.
Simple designs with clean lines, limited color palettes, and subtle branding are on the rise. Many brands opt for a small, elegant logo or understated text rather than bold graphics. Minimalist designs feel sophisticated and timeless, allowing the bag’s quality and the brand’s logo to take center stage. This style also aligns with the “less is more” approach many consumers prefer.
Some brands are embracing bold colors and vibrant, full-color prints that immediately grab attention. These designs often use high-quality printing to ensure colors remain vivid. Vivid colors and striking designs make the bag more eye-catching and memorable, perfect for retail and fashion brands looking to make a visual impact.
These trends reflect a blend of environmental responsibility, aesthetic appeal, and functionality. By focusing on these design trends, brands can create paper bags that are not only practical but also align with current consumer preferences and elevate the overall brand experience.
Simple Sustainability
Minimalist and Clean Aesthetic
Full-Color Vibrant Designs
Choosing the right material for a paper bag is essential because it directly impacts cost, functionality, brand image, and environmental responsibility. The material determines the bag’s strength, durability, suitability, and visual appeal for different purposes. There is a wide range of papers to choose from, in short, we divide paper into two main categories.
4.1 Widely used regular paper for paper bags
Widely used regular paper such as coated paper, uncoated paper, and metallic paper, have a lower material cost and faster turnaround. If you want to highlight sustainability, recycled uncoated paper is your first choice. Coated paper has a more vibrant and brighter color due to its smooth surface and less ink absorption. Metallic paper is a good option for a luxurious consideration due to its reflective sheen.
4.2 Specialty paper to create unique appeal
Specialty papers often come in unique textures, patterns, and colors, making them more visually appealing and allowing for more creative packaging designs. The tactile quality of specialty papers can enhance the unboxing experience, making it feel more luxurious or thoughtful. Using specialty paper can convey a higher level of professionalism and attention to detail, which can enhance customer perception to have a memorable impression.
Here we show some relatively more widely used specialty paper such as dyed colored paper, textured paper, leatherette paper, velvet, pearlescent paper and glittering paper. If you want to see close-up photos of certain specialty paper or more options, don't hesitate to contact our professional sales team.
Printing is a delicate science. There are various printing methods such as traditional offset printing, UV offset printing, silk screen printing, flexographic printing, digital printing, and different ink options such as water-based inks, oil-based inks, vegetable soy inks, metallic inks, fluorescent inks, and special inks.
Sunmell excels in holistic packaging solutions and knows how to utilize proficiency in different printing types, printing machines, and printing inks to deliver customized, top-notch packaging that aligns seamlessly with the individual demands of a given project. Sometimes, it is even a combination of multiple printing methods to achieve the most ideal effect.
In addition, the color difference problem has always been a headache for the printing industry. How to control the color difference? We strictly implement a set of effective color management systems to strictly manage and control color differences.
Special finishes are great ways to add a luxury appeal to your custom paper shopping bag, the outstanding craft is ideal to highlight the logos, brand messages, and graphics on the bag to help them stand out on the crowded shelves. We know how to perfectly use special finishings such as hot foil stamping, blind embossing, blind debossing, foil stamping & embossing, spot gloss UV, raised spot UV, texture embossing, glittering powder, flocking and laser cut, and sometimes also a combination of several finishes to create the best visual aesthetic beauty of your paper bag.
Gold Foil Stamping
Transfer foil to a surface at high temperature to create a stunning metallic finish. Gold foil is classic and never goes out of style. Gloss or Matt gold available.
Silver Foil Stamping
Transfer foil to a surface at high temperature to create a stunning metallic finish. Silver foil is classic and never goes out of style. Gloss or Matt silver available.
Black Foil Stamping
Transfer foil to a surface at high temperature to create a stunning metallic finish. Black foil is classic and never goes out of style. Gloss or Matt black available.
Blind Embossing
Embossing creates a tri-dimensional raised pattern or design on the surface to add texture and visual interest, making it more appealing and memorable.
Blind Debossing
Debossing creates a tri-dimensional indented or sunken pattern on the surface to add texture and visual interest, making it more appealing and memorable.
Foil & Embossing
A perfect luxurious combination of hot foil stamping and embossing to create a tri-dimensional motif that features a foil finish, making it more appealing.
Spot Gloss UV
UV coating that is applied to a specified area and cured using ultraviolet light to achieve a high gloss finish in contrast to the rest of area to make it stand out.
Raised Gloss Spot UV
A perfect luxurious combination of gloss spot UV and embossing to create a tri-dimensional motif that features a raised glossy finish, making it more appealing.
Texture Embossing
Regular paper doesn't have texture. Texture embossing is a process that creates a certain pattern and texture to paper or cardstock, making it more appealing.
We offer various handle attachment types, each tailored to specific needs for functionality, aesthetics, and carrying comfort. Here’s a breakdown of popular handle attachment types.
8.1- No Handle
These bags come without handles and are typically designed for carrying items by holding the top of the bag. They are simple and cost-effective, often used for lightweight products or single-use purposes. Ideal for food items, small purchases, or quick, takeaway items. Common in bakeries, small retail stores, and as packaging for gift wrapping.
8.3- Threaded with Knot or Shoe Buckle
Handles are threaded through pre-punched holes ( sometimes it will also add metallic grommet around the hole) in the bag and secured inside with a knot or a plastic stopper to prevent slipping. These handles are often made from rope or ribbon, adding a decorative and durable touch.
Popular in high-end retail, luxury brands, and gift bags, as they offer both strength and a premium look. Suitable for moderate to heavier loads depending on handle material. Lots of tote paper bags opt for this type of handle since the cost is lower than the 7.4 embedded handle type.
8.5- Stapled with Rivet or Grommet
Handles are attached with metal rivets or staples or grommets, providing extra strength at the attachment points. This method is highly durable and often used with flat fabric or paper ribbon handles.
Widely used in heavy-duty paper bags or in which customer wants to have a rivet or grommet add-on. The riveted attachment ensures the handles can support heavier weights without tearing.
8.2- Die-Cut Handle
A die-cut handle is a cut-out shape, usually rectangular, oval or other attractive shapes you like, integrated into the bag itself, often adding a reinforced board to improve strength. This handle is sleek and minimal, providing a built-in carrying option without the need for additional materials, thus it decreases the handle cost.
It's common for boutique shopping bags, promotional bags, and retail packaging. Die-cut handles are suitable for lightweight to moderate loads and offer a clean, modern look.
8.4- Glue Embedded Handle
The handle is embedded in the bag using strong adhesive glue. Often used with flat, reinforced handles, this attachment method provides a clean, seamless appearance without visible knots or attachments, it looks neat and more luxurious. The handle can be paper or fabric rope, fabric or paper ribbon, or other materials like leather, etc.
Commonly found in luxury paper shopping bags and retail packaging. Ideal for carrying heavier items due to the secure bonding and streamlined look. Many luxury paper bags prefer this type of handle to get a luxurious appeal.
8.6- Combined Handle of Different Attachments
This design uses a combination of attachment methods, such as threading and gluing or stapling and knotting. The combined handle attachment offers additional durability and often a unique design look. Common in custom-designed bags where strength and aesthetics are both priorities. Ideal for luxury packaging or brands that want a distinct, tailored appearance.
We offer a wide range of handle materials that cater to various needs in terms of aesthetics, strength, and comfort. Here’s an overview of four popular handle materials. Each handle material offers specific advantages, allowing us to tailor paper bags to align with brand aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability goals.
9.1- Rope Handle
Rope handles are typically made from sturdy, twisted fibers, such as cotton, jute, or synthetic blends. They are thick, strong, and comfortable to hold, making them ideal for carrying heavier loads. Rope handles are widely used in shopping, retail and gift bags. We provide poly-cotton rope, PP rope, pure cotton rope, waxed rope, and full paper rope in different braided ways, most widely used diameters from 4mm to 7mm, handle lengths 35cm to 60cm with knot or shoe buckle or glue embedded, shoulder length handle will be longer. Rope braided ways, rope diameter and length, rope material and colors can all be personalized.
9.3- Paper Rope and Paper Ribbon Handle
Paper bag handles fully made of plant-based paper material are 100% biodegradable and compostable, we provide paper rope and paper ribbon. Paper rope handles are crafted from durable paper fibers such as twisted paper rope, knitted paper rope, braided paper twine rope, etc. While paper ribbon handles are flat and smooth, such as flat paper ribbon, spliced paper straps, knitted paper flat ribbon, braided paper twine ribbon, etc. They are eco-friendly options made from recyclable materials, with a natural and rustic appeal that aligns well with eco-conscious brands, offering a sustainable alternative without compromising strength.
9.2- Fabric Ribbon Handle
Fabric ribbon handles are soft and smooth, flat and lightweight but strong, providing a comfortable and stylish carrying option. The most widely used ribbon handles are satin ribbon, grosgrain ribbon, and herringbone ribbon. Ribbon handles add elegance and refinement, creating an attractive, sophisticated look to elevate the bag's overall appeal. Popular in gift bags, bridal or special event packaging, and high-end retail bags.
We provide single or double face satin ribbon, grosgrain ribbon, herringbone ribbon, organza ribbon, velvet ribbon, and other types of ribbon in different braided ways, with most widely used diameters from 10mm to 30mm, handle lengths 35cm to 60cm with knot or shoe buckle or glue embedded, shoulder length handle will be longer. Ribbon braided ways, diameter and length, material and colors can all be personalized. More importantly, wide flat ribbon handles allow customized logo printing or foil to highlight the branding.
9.4- Other Handles (Plastic, Leather, Wooden, etc.)
This category includes specialty handles made from materials like plastic tubing, leather straps, or even small wooden or metal dowels. These materials can add unique textures, strength, or luxury to the bag. Plastic handles offer durability and a smooth grip; leather handles give a premium, sophisticated touch; wooden handles add a unique, rustic look.
These options are often chosen for a distinct brand statement. These handles are ideal for brands looking for a stand-out design element in their packaging, from high-end boutiques to specialty food or gift shops. Often used in custom packaging where durability or uniqueness is essential.
We add reinforced boards inside the bag’s bottom and under the turnover top to increase the bag’s strength and reliability. The reinforced boards are permanently glued to the body material.
350gsm reinforced board is most widely used in the bottom piece, it can be printed with special finishing to be tailored as required. If the bag inside is not white but has other colors, normally inside bottom reinforced board will have the same or close color to keep the inside consistent. The turnover top reinforcement is 350gsm or 700gsm per side. The reinforcement adds extra support to the bag’s high-quality standard, reinforced board can be personalized for different requirements.
Adding attractive add-ons to a paper bag can elevate its appeal and make it look more luxurious and gift-worthy. Here are some popular add-ons you might consider, each of these add-ons can be tailored to match your brand's identity and enhance the gift appeal.
11.1- Swing Tags
The swing tags are additional custom card elements that hang on a thin string loop to add a more gift feel. Different shapes and printing can be tailored, the strings come in different materials like colored yarn, jute twine or narrow 5mm satin ribbon, length is customizable.
11.3- Clear Window
The windows are a specific design element that allows a glimpse inside the bag. They can be closed with a transparent film, but can also exist as an uncovered opening.The shape of the clear window is unlimited. Its size should correspond to the technological requirements of the specific bag model.
11.5- Sticker
Sticker is another popular add-on for paper bags, it can function as a seal. Especially if you have a collection of different designs of paper bags with small quantities, custom printed stickers are a good choice to lower the cost.
11.2- Fixed Tags
The fixed tags are cardboard elements that have a punched hole or a slot large enough to fit a threaded rope or a ribbon. Tag material, cutting shapes, printing and finishing can be personalized. This type of tag is suitable for fixing either on the handle or on the ribbon closure. The fixed tags don’t use an additional string to hang on. They hang straight on the knotted rope or ribbon handle or on the central ribbon closure.
11.4- Bowknot or Ribbon
Adding an external ribbon or bowknot adds a decorative highlight and festive feel, making the bag look more ready-to-gift. Satin ribbon, grosgrain ribbon, herringbone ribbon, and other types of ribbons are available to tie a nice bowknot, or directly use a bowknot, ribbon width and colors are customizable.
11.6- Velcro or Other Add-ons
Velcro is widely used for paper bags with flap closure to seal the bag. There are many other add-ons for example button, ribbon tab, plastic hook, etc, send us your add-on requirements, we can bring them to life.
If you have an offline store, a nice custom shopping bag is indispensable. No matter what products customers buy, they can put them in this portable paper bag and take them home happily.
For online e-commerce sales, paper bags seem to be less important, but for products that need to be given as gifts, if there is a gorgeous paper bag, it will greatly enhance the customer's gift-giving experience.
With more than 5000+ custom paper bag case experiences, we know very well how to provide the most cost-effective luxury paper bag solution with a comprehensive consideration of the customer's brand market positioning, budget, and application. Our team will assist you create a multi-sensory experience with designs and features such as foil stamping, embossing & debossing, spot gloss UV, texture embossing to deliver a powerful visual impact to make your paper bag stand out on shelves and enhance your customers’ overall experiences.
We have been committed to making some contribution to our planet by promoting sustainable packaging. Meeting your sustainability goals is our priority which is why we offer a variety of eco-friendly solutions.
Practicing the continuous improvement management model of PDCA to monitor and control our quality, each step is monitored and controlled in order to meet a major requirement: quality. Our process control and thorough quality inspections guarantee that every product is delivered to customers in perfect condition. We offer bulk photos, inspection reports, and welcome third-party inspections, along with excellent after-sales support. You can trust in our quality.
16- Frequently Asked Questions
