Printed Paper Bags Your Complete Guide

Such a narrative is potentially quite dangerous, however, because the reality of the eco-credentials of these materials is far from what the perceived consensus is. We’ve covered in length the details of what makes an eco-friendly carrier bag, showing that the paper’s regenerative & recyclable nature, though true, is just a small part of the story.

In its production, paper requires the use of significant amounts of water and timber. The removal of trees is the most impactful, as it’s a significant contributor to deforestation and actively reduces carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere. Paper bags are also thicker and heavier in storage and transport, meaning fewer bags can be stored together, and transport is less efficient. Paper’s main saving grace is its recyclability, but even then, paper can only be recycled a few times before its integrity is compromised, and the materials need to be disposed of. Though the material is biodegradable, much of it, like almost half of all waste in the UK, is simply incinerated.

It's a dangerous assumption that paper is good for the environment. Just like any other material, it has strengths, and it has weaknesses too. As a natural material, it is generally favourable. If you can control its production, plant trees to regenerate its material and reduce its impact, you can then rely on its recyclability and biodegradation to close the loop. Unfortunately, because we’re relying on it at such a scale, paper production is wiping out forests and causing devastation to natural landscapes and ecosystems, things that can’t be replaced quickly or effectively.

When it comes to printed paper bags, these environmental challenges must be considered by conscious brands. Paper bags have their place, and they’re a great option for many businesses from both a functional and, sometimes, a green perspective. Brands might weigh up the difference of choosing paper versus an alternative, and within their budget, it may be the most responsible choice. Circumstance and context is incredibly important, and diligence is critical to making the right choice. If you want to avoid a greenwash of your brand and need help making a decision that aligns with your brand’s principles, give us a call and we’ll walk you through the options.

Carrier bags exist to carry items, and often, they need to be able to carry heavy payloads. It can be surprising what a paper bag can carry before it buckles under and rips, but naturally, there’s only so much that these bags can take. Even just the smallest tear in a paper bag can cause the bag to completely rip when weight is added. This is not really a characteristic of other bags. Even luxury paper bag variants that use thicker paper don’t have this issue, as it’s the thinness of regular paper that impacts its strength. Yes, a paper bag can be reinforced with a laminate or protective layer, but this can ruin its recyclability. Yes, you could make the bag thicker, but then it becomes more expensive and resource-consuming. Ultimately, when it comes to tearing, it’s a trade-off you must live with.

Another area where paper bags tend not to shine so well is in the rain. Liquid damage softens the material, disintegrating it and making it more likely to fail. Again, this trait is just a part of paper’s nature, and something that can’t easily be helped. Most paper bags have a level of weather-resistance, so small showers are fine, but sustained rainstorms will ruin the bag.

However, despite the consequences, there’s nothing that can take away from the fact that a printed paper bag with the right customisation embodies quality. The rustic nature of a printed brown kraft bag is a perfect match to a high-quality artisan store. The stylish and trendy twisted handle bag is ergonomic and an icon of the high street. Whether you go for a paper bag with inverted colours, or a flat handle paper bag with handles adhered to the inside of the bag, the right print on a paper bag can help your brand stand out from the crowd.

A core benefit of paper bags that makes them incredibly attractive to cost-conscious brands is that it does not require the payment of the 10p carrier bag charge. For some businesses, this is a cost that customers do not have to pay; however, some brands prefer to pass the cost of production and printing onto customers. Either way, not having to pay the tax is a mitigation of the associated cost, something that is positive for whoever benefits.

Paper is a safe, cost-effective single-use bag choice. A printed paper bag can be produced in both low and high quantities, meaning options are flexible for large brands and small businesses alike. The unit cost of a paper bag commonly decreases for larger quantity orders, so when buying a printed paper bag, it’s good to plan. Yes, you can order in smaller quantities, but you’ll always find that preparing for the long term can help keep costs down. We’re able to provide stock-holding services that can help with this, so give us a call if you think this may be the right choice for your brand.

Paper bags can come in all sorts of colours, though, you need to make sure the colour you choose works with your print. For instance, a white print won’t work on a black bag, so you might then need to reverse-print on a white bag, which adds complexity to the process. Certain colours will have contrast clashes, meaning you may need to simplify the colours and complexity of your print in favour of something more legible and impactful. When it comes to the design and print of a paper bag, we’re experts at ensuring you end up with a bag that’s exactly what you’re looking for, whilst ensuring that your colours and print stand out.

There aren’t many options when it comes to customisation of a paper bag, mainly due to the simplicity of the bag type. Depending on the quantities ordered, you can get creative with the handles on your bags, changing the colours of the handles and even having them as a different colour to the rest of the bag. Further, our flat handle paper bags all come with handles adhered to the outside of the bag, but for orders over 10,000 units, we can customise these to have the handles on the inside of the bag. This frees up more bag space for a larger print area.

The charm of a printed paper bag is in its rustic nature. As such, some of the best paper bags are those with limited customisation and a core focus on its natural kraft paper look and feel. A subtle print and simple but impactful messaging can go a long way on a paper bag. For brands with big personalities, you can customise your paper bag in striking & characterful ways, for brands looking for a more muted, modest and elegant look, a printed brown kraft paper bag can be a beautiful solution.

Though paper’s environmental benefits are somewhat of a misnomer, a paper bag is also perceived to be the eco-friendly choice. There’s no need to mention your green credentials when your customers can connect the dots. These unconscious thoughts play a big role in the marketing effectiveness of carrier bags – though your print is important, your material choice can often be where your customers will draw their conclusions. Every small choice you make affects your brand, and choosing a paper bag can be a great way to make good first impressions.

The great thing about carrier bags as a marketing tool is their cost. With paper bags being one of the cheapest options available, you have an impactful, low-cost marketing tool in your locker. If you’re weighing up what to do with your out-of-house marketing budget, nothing beats the cost-effectiveness of a printed paper bag.