When you think of advertising, what word or phrase first springs to mind?
Maybe it’s the TV show Mad Men. Or if you’re a business decision-maker, perhaps your mind goes to Google SEO rankings and Facebook ads. These are all valid answers, but we bet the term “shopping bags” didn’t spring to mind.
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That’s right—shopping bags! And specifically, the customized ones. While you may have your digital advertising efforts down, many companies are forgetting the power of traditional, subliminal promotion. Eye-catching, colorful custom paper bags with your branding and logo can draw in new customers, boost brand recognition, and even improve your revenue.
The Business Benefits of Custom Shopping BagsThe benefits of custom shopping bags go beyond just marketing and advertising, particularly if you use paper. Recently, renowned luxury department store Harrods announced its plans to replace all of its plastic carrier bags with fully recyclable paper bags by the fall. The paper bags will be 100% recycled and also partly made from recycled materials.
The reason for the change, according to news analysis, is a commitment to sustainability, both from a corporate social responsibility standpoint and due to rising consumer demand. For more and more physical retailers, plastic just isn’t cool anymore. Its impact on the environment is hard to ignore, and as consumers become more aware about the dangers of plastic, they are looking to brands to help them make more eco-friendly choices.
As the below stats from IPSOS show, paper leads the way:
93% of consumers agree that
paper is sustainable
and should be used more as packaging.
86% of consumers agree that if they can choose between
paper packaging
or another material, they choose paper.
79% of consumers believe that paper is more pleasant to handle and touch.
Paper shopping bags don’t just look more eco-friendly, either—the science backs it up. A study from the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute looked into the greenhouse gas emissions produced by paper and plastic bags. It found that paper bags had a remarkably lower impact on the climate than LDPE (low density polyethylene) bags.
In the US, states are catching on to the downsides of plastic bags. California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, and Maine, just to name a few, have all brought in bans on single-use plastic shopping bags.
So more customers want paper, states are mandating it, and scientists are recommending it. All in all, it seems that using custom paper bags is a no-brainer. But where to begin? That’s exactly what we’ll help you with below.
Why Should You Use Paper Shopping Bags?Before we dive into the what and how of a customized paper bag packaging strategy, we first want to nail the why. Being confident that paper grocery bags are right for your business and understanding how they can help you create a lasting impression is essential to making an informed choice. Here are some of the most common reasons why custom paper bags are a business asset:
We’ve touched on this above but we’ll say it again: Paper bags are an excellent eco-friendly packaging option. They are made from wood—a raw, renewable resource—and can be recycled. Consumers are also acutely aware that paper bags are better for the environment. This means that by choosing to use paper gift bags, shopping bags, and grocery bags, you’re not only looking after the planet, but you’re also showing your customers that you care, something they will no doubt appreciate!
As you’ll find out below, paper bags are definitely not one size fits all. Different sizes, shapes, colors, handles—the possibilities are endless. If you want to tell your brand story through custom packaging, then paper is an excellent and inexpensive option.
Have you ever wandered around a shopping mall when a colorful shopping bag caught your eye? Maybe seeing the brand’s bag made you determined to find their store and go inside, or you remembered the name and brand colors. Either way, a well-designed paper shopping bag can boost brand affinity and lead to new customers. Plus, because paper bags are reusable, your customers may take them out again and again. Meaning, hundreds of people could learn about your brand, thanks to just a few bags!
Facebook ads that point to relevant product pages on your website, SEO (search engine optimization), and Instagram influencer marketing can put a big dent on your marketing budgets in an instant. While these have a role to play in modern advertising strategies, we can’t forget the power of the in-person shopping experience. Personalized paper shopping bags are relatively cheap to create via bulk orders and offer limitless marketing potential.
A paper bag is kind of like a blank canvas. Your team gets to decide what to put on it: the story you want to tell, the colors, the fine details. These bags offer a chance to unleash your creativity and make your company memorable to everyone who uses and sees your branded paper bags.
At this point, we hope you feel excited about the potential of harnessing custom paper bags for your retail strategy. As you look for the right printed paper bags for your company, it’s important to remember the basics. Your paper bag needs to be as functional as it is fun. So it needs to:
Provide enough space to safely carry the volume of purchases by customers. You may need to consider offering different sized bags if your products vary greatly in size
Be strong enough to hold the weight of goods
Provide customizable options that enable you to convey your brand’s story and values
Ideally, support environmental efforts and be in line with your company’s sustainability commitments
So now it’s time to jump into the eight most common types of paper bags out there. There’s no such thing as a wrong or a right bag. The type of bag you choose will depend on the kind of products you sell, as well as the customer you’re trying to appeal to.
For example, some of the bags below are better for small items, while others are better for adding a touch of luxury to the in-store experience. Remember, too, that all of these bags can be customized so that they are unique to your company.
The SOS bag is the iconic brown bag used for kids’ lunches. You often see it in cartoons—a generic, brown paper with edges that you fold over. The SOS bag can also come with small handles. Typically, it’s used for food and drink items but can also be used for small items like skincare or jewelry. While the bag is known for its natural brown kraft color, it can also be customized and designed in different shades and finishes.
The pinch bottom bag gets its name from the tapered bottom. It’s usually used for bakery goods and other food items. It has an envelope-like opening and is grease-resistant inside, which is why it’s favored by food stalls and coffee houses. It’s also suitable for takeaway bags.
Merchandise bags are probably the most common type of paper shopping bag you’ll see out and about. They come in a variety of styles and sizes, making them an excellent vehicle for customization.
The Euro tote is a step up from the SOS bag. This paper bag is heavily associated with luxury. These bags tend to be highly customized, down to the look and feel of the handles. When designed well, Euro totes can be their own form of gift packaging and go a long way to boost brand recognition.
Bakery bags are designed specifically for the food market. They feature wax linings to preserve food items, making them a great option for muffins, bread, pastries, and more.
Mailing bags get a sneaky mention on this list. Even though they’re more a form of ecommerce packaging, they do have “bag” in the name and are made from paper, too. Mailing bags are padded mailers. They’re great for shipping small items to customers who have purchased online. For a deep dive into padded mailers and other e-commerce options, check out this article about ecommerce packaging.
While all paper bags are recyclable, not all paper bags are recycled. By this, we mean that not all paper bags are made from material that has already been used. However, you can specifically pick at least partially recycled paper bags. Doing this is great for the environment and is something you can shout about to your consumers who, as we’ve seen above, appreciate when brands choose paper-based packaging.
Vogue bags ooze luxury and theater. These bags are more than just a paper bag; they’re an experience. With tissue paper, freebies, handwritten cards, and more to be usually found inside, these designer paper bags are a great way to make your clients feel like a million bucks.
Common Types of HandlesPaper bags are about more than just the bags themselves; the handles play a huge role, too. There are a variety of customizable options, ranging in price and look and feel. Take a look at some of the most frequently used options below.
Ribbons are pretty, glossy, and add a touch of luxury to paper bags. They are also easily customizable. They can come in almost any color and suit most of the bag types mentioned above. Ribbons are quite durable but would not be appropriate for really heavy items, as they may snap.
Cotton has a similar look and feel to ribbon. It also portrays a sense of luxury, finesse, and is easily customizable. The main difference between cotton and ribbon is cotton’s durability. Cotton is a dense, strong material, meaning it can carry heavier products than ribbon.
Twisted paper handles are a cheap and cheerful option. While they aren’t as premium as cotton or ribbon, they are cost-effective and also very strong. They can endure a heavy weight and are extremely easy and quick to produce for manufacturers.
Folded paper is another cost-effective option. These handles are made from a piece of paper, making them great for lightweight purchases and small bags. However, be warned, folded paper bags tear easily if the weight of the bag gets too heavy. These handles also tend to disintegrate in heavy rain.
Let’s Get Bespoke!Once you’ve chosen the type of paper bag you want and the coordinating handle, it’s time to think about customization. This stage is an opportunity to let your creativity shine and turn your visions into reality. No idea is too bold or whacky. Custom paper gift bags are a blank canvas that’s perfect for your art!
In terms of cost, it’s important to note that the size of your bags directly correlates with the price. Depending on what kind of products you sell, you may want to order a few different sizes of bags. Similarly, the cost is strongly dictated by the amount of bags you order. How many stores you have will dictate the number of bags you need. You can choose to buy paper bags wholesale and keep them in warehousing facilities. Alternatively, you may want to put in a repeat request for your customized bags each month.
You can choose any color, or colors, for your bag. Aside from colors, you can add colored features, like stripes, your logos, artwork flowers, and more. You’ll notice that a couple of acronyms pop up again and again when you’re looking at designs: RGB and CMYK. RGB stands for red, green, and blue. These colors are used for images on your computer screen. CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (Black). If your design contains three or less colors, then RGB will be adequate. But if your design is more complex, then CMYK is the option you should go for.
There’s more than one kind of paper that you can use for your bag. Paper varies in strength and thickness. The stronger the paper, the better it is for heavy products. However, if you sell lightweight products like jewelry, small gift items, and other accessories, then you may want a lighter paper option. Here are the main types:
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit print shopping paper bag supplier.
Kraft paper is what’s used for SOS bags. It has a natural, eco-friendly feel and is cost-effective. Kraft paper is best used for small to medium-sized items.
Recycled paper comes from 100% recycled paper, making it a great choice for eco-conscious brands. Recycled paper is also very versatile and varies in thickness, making it suitable for all types of products.
Art paper is derived from wood pulp. As the name suggests, art paper is ideal for creating designs because it has a smooth texture. Like recycled paper, art paper comes in varying thicknesses. Art paper also varies in terms of textures.
Lamination is a process where a thick layer of plastic is applied to your paper bags, giving them an enhanced finish and improving durability. There are different types of lamination finishes, which we’ve put in the handy table below:
Lamination Gloss Matte Satin Metallic Finish
Glossy, luxurious finish
Elegant, understated finish
Velvet, textured finish
Luminous, bright finish
Price$$
$$
$$$
$$
DurabilityDirt, dust and fingerprint-resistant
More prone to scuffing – should not be used on dark colored bags
Most scuff-resistant option
Dirt, dust and fingerprint resistant
The outside of your bag is now looking beautiful, but what about the inside? To truly delight your customers, you want the personalization journey to continue once they open your paper bag, too. Most paper bags are white or brown on the inside. You could, for example, print your brand’s logo or slogan on the inside of the bag to enhance brand visibility. Alternatively, you could use embossing or debossing to add a touch of luxury to the inside of your bag.
Another option is spot UV varnish, which can be used to create glossy, elegant patterns inside your bag. Also, you should consider how you put your logo on your bag. For example, foil stamping is often used to create attention-grabbing, bold statements, a la Urban Decay below. Similarly, embossing and debossing can be used on the outside of the bag for eye-catching designs.
The Future Is PaperSo, that’s it—our ultimate guide to custom paper bags. As you can see, it’s clear that paper has a lot to offer to your retail strategies. Just as cardboard is leading the way in ecommerce, paper is fast proving itself as the go-to option for physical stores. Through design and customization, you can elevate your printed paper bags so that they become a marketing vehicle, one that enhances customer loyalty, boosts revenue, and increases brand awareness.
Here at Refine Packaging, we’re experts in helping brands of all shapes and sizes to create customized packaging strategies that bring an ROI. Whatever your vision is, our experts are on hand to help you turn it into reality, at a price that’s right for your business.
Ready to embark on your custom paper bag strategy?
Refine Packaging is the top choice for the world’s Inc 5000 and Fortune 500 companies. With super fast production times, affordable pricing, and a sky’s the limit attitude, we’ll help you turn your custom packaging into a competitive differentiator. Contact us today and a dedicated packaging specialist will guide you through every step of the custom packaging process without breaking a sweat.
Home/Learning Article/How to choose paper bag printing machine?
Our paper bags are mainly used in food bags and shopping bags. Usually we call them Paper Bag. Flat Bottom Paper Bag, V Bottom Paper Bag, Food Paper Bag, Paper, Kraft Paper Bag, Sharp Bottom Paper Bag, Bakery Paper Bag, Square Bottom Paper Bag, Box Bottom Paper Bag, Block Bottom Paper Bag, SOS Paper Bag, Shopping Paper Bag… The weight range is mainly between 40 and 170 gsm. Generally, over 120 gsm, the paper bag maker will choose the single bag machine. Although the single bag machine is more expensive than the reel paper bag machine, the profit of shopping bag is much higher than that of food bag. All the papers in the heavy range, mainly kraft paper, laminated paper, original paper, and even poly film. The other 350 gms of paper is close to copperplate, so it’s not easy to print any thicker, so 350 GSM is the limit.
Why do we recommend the ZYT-41000 model?
1. This factory has cooperated with us for more than 9 years. It is an old factory with 30 years’experience in printing press production. Its production capacity exceeds 100 sets per year. Their machines have a faster and more stable reputation in the same industry. Their design style is relatively neutral. They are good at making online drawings. Online drawings can come out in 5 days. As we focus more on paper bags. In R&D, we prefer to recommend separate purchases of bag-making machines and printers. This ensures the color matching effect in the printing process and the efficiency of bag-making. From the perspective of long-term investment, it is more cost-effective to buy two separate equipment.
2. what are the characteristics of the ZYT-41000 model?
2.1 speed and stability, 100m/min, this speed is the speed of force in the current laminated flexographic printing machine market in China. Although the satellite type can reach 300m/min, it is too expensive and unsuitable for on-line, so we do not recommend it.
2.2 Sets of colors are precise, easy to operate, and the accuracy reaches (+0.1 mm), which is particularly important for printing. If the set of colors is not accurate, it will lead to overlap or separation of the printing block, and the color will be too much will be very bad.
2.3 Extremely high configuration, main electrical appliances and bearings with Japanese and Taiwanese brands, self-made closed scraper, ceramic mesh roller, circulating ink system (with ink motor), high-power vertical oven, planetary gear control conveyor belt, back-to-back winding
2.4 Material adaptability is strong, our common plastic and paper can be printed, some customers both make paper cups and paper bags, our machine is particularly suitable. Some customers are from the plastic bag industry, if necessary, our machine can also use oily ink to print plastic film, but usually we do not recommend a machine often change material printing, because different materials require different ink characteristics, the required tension is also different, debugging costs are too high. The main purpose of our purchase of independent presses is to improve printing efficiency.
2.5 perfect spare parts list to ensure that customers do not need to purchase to the factory within two years and reduce the after-sale burden.
Our ZYT-41000 is suitable for printing a variety of different characteristics of materials, but mainly for paper, because our winding structure is back-to-back friction winding, winding structure is shaftless hydraulic feeding, winding and unwinding diameters are 1500mm. If used to print non-woven fabrics or plastic is too big material for small use, because the plastic take-up and take-off diameter generally does not exceed 800mm.
The detailed list of materials is as follows:
Kraft paper: 40-350g/㎡ single-sided coated paper：30-350g/㎡ copy paper：15-350g/㎡ firecrackers and paper：40-350g/㎡ paper money and incense：25-350g/㎡ silicone paper：50-350g/㎡ coated paper：30-350g/㎡ dust-free paper：25-350g/㎡Release paper：40-350g/㎡ composite paper：30-350g/㎡
Woven: 15-120g/㎡ Weave fabric：15-500g/㎡
Plastic film: PVC:10-120g/㎡ OPP：10-120g/㎡ PE ：10-120g/㎡PET： 10-120g/㎡CPP：10-120g/㎡
Please check our customer samples.
Please check our machine test sample.
Paper printing and plastic printing are clearly visible！
The thinnest, we can print only 18gsm napkins!
Shaftless hydraulic feeding is mainly used in large slitting machines or flexo presses. It is seldom used in laminated flexo presses. But we have introduced this position to work steadily with high-quality correcting and tracking systems. Therefore, our machine can be customized to a multi-purpose machine, i.e. printing slitting and linking. Add a few movable circular knives or flat knives to the receiving station. Paper is usually used with a circular knife, plastic film is usually used with a circular knife, some customers will be designed to move the knife and fixed to the combination or combination of circular knife and flat knife. The main idea is to decide the plan according to the actual demand and material of the customer. It is more convenient and labor-saving, and also provides the possibility of cutting large volumes of paper on line.
Back-to-back friction winding is by two rollers close to the counter-clockwise winding, this way of winding compact and smooth, not easy to go material, in order to close the large volume of material. Sometimes, if the customer cut the material is too narrow. It is only 2-5 centimeters. If the material is not stable and compact, the diameter of the coil will be scattered less than 500mm.
Resin plate with double-sided adhesive is generally 2.28mm, 1.7mm can also be customized according to customer needs such as 2.54M special size, Egypt 2.54mm thickness plus 0.2mm double-sided adhesive thickness is relatively common.
Paper itself has a certain degree of water absorption, so it is more suitable for water based ink. Plastic film is more suitable for printing with oily ink, because the adhesion of water-based ink is not as good as oily ink. The trend now is to use water-based ink to go in the direction of environmental protection. The global trend of environmental protection in 2018 has made us more cautious in choosing inks and materials, which is both an opportunity and a challenge.
Printing any material needs to be customized according to the material mesh roll, such as mesh roll number, size, depth, etc., mesh roll number (DPI) more precision printing but ink will be lighter, because ordinary food grade kraft paper we recommend 200-300 DPI. Metal mesh roller with plastic scraper, service life in 1-2 years, ceramic mesh roller with steel scraper, service life in 5-6 years, but also depends on whether the operator maintains well. Ceramic screen roller costs 10,000 more per set than plastic. Ceramic screen roller is definitely recommended for printing paper. Now we have all scrapers with closed scrapers, not single scrapers. ZYT-41000 is a self circulating ink system with standard ceramic roller and closed scraper.
Drying system is an important part of the printing press, to a certain extent, determines the printing effect, ZYT-41000 is a vertical high-power oven, equipped with large fans, drying effect is much better than the old-fashioned many small electric fans. This drying system ensures the printing machine’s drying effect at the speed of 100m/min.
The main motor uses synchronous belt drive hard tooth face gear box, the gearbox uses synchronous belt drive each printing group of high precision planetary gear box (360 Unit plate) gear drive stamping roller (can be positive and negative printing conversion)
Are you interested in learning more about customized recycled paper bags manufacturers? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!