Luxury Paper Carrier Bags

We can supply printed rope handled paper carrier bags from as few as 100 on some sizes. Generally 250 is our minimum. These can also be supplied within a fast turn around time, some in as little as 7 working days. Small quantities are ideal for promotions, exhibitions, product launches or opening events especially with short lead times. Larger quantities do take a little longer. 

The print design of these types of paper bag are unlimited. All ranges of print are available, up to full colour process prints with brand specific colours as required. The carrier bags can also be printed internally to similar specifications. As well as printing, foil stamping and UV varnishes can be added along with embossed or debossed designs or logos to give a luxurious quality finish. 

Luxury paper carrier bags can be manufactured from paper or card up to a thickness of 250gsm. With a matt or gloss lamination this results in a very rigid carrier bag. With extra weight cardboard reinforcements at the base of the bag and underneath the turn over top, the bags can be produced to hold a large weight and be very reuseable. Extra thick ropes and metal eyelets also increase the capability and quality of the bag. A thicker rope increases the comfot for the user and metal eyelets increase the durability of the bag. 

If you need a fast turn around, we do require that you keep in touch with us on a regular basis. Our lead times are based from when the order is completely signed off. That includes full confirmation of the artwork amongst other manufacturing requirements. Delivery information can be supplied any time before despatch. Larger quantities are more difficult to supply within such small lead times, although if urgent, bags can be supplied via airfreight services as they are produced until the full balance arrives via more economical shipping routes.

When ordering these styles of carrier bag, we will ask you for the following information:

1. Quantity required
2. Size (Width x Height + Gusset + Turn Over Top)
3. Paper weight (gsm) if known
4. Printing design including any embossing or foil staming
5. Lamination type (Gloss or Matt)
6. Handle type and length, and if eyelets are required.

These are the main essential details. Options for the paper weights generally range from 150gsm up to 250gsm (grams per square metre). If you have any queries with your printing requirements, please contact us to discuss further. If no matt or gloss lamination is wanted, a machine varnish can be applied instead. We do recommend a lamination of some kind as this substantially increases the strength of the carrier bags.

Handle options start from a basic short length cotton or polypropylene rope handle, usually around 5mm in diameter, and of a nearest colour from available stock up to any alternative available at local sourcing centres. Common alternatives include twisted paper handles, PVC tubing, herring bone ribbon or silk ribbon. Most paper bag handles are short, between 20cm to 45cm for small to large bags. This allows for the bag to be held in the hand at a persons side. Longer handles can be attached to allow the bag to loop over a shoulder. It is also possible to have the handle simply as a punched hole and not attached any ribbon or rope.

Metal eyelets:

Other extras include:

• Internal lamination, usually applied to internally printed bags for strength and to seal inks thoroughly.
• Ribbon ties, there are various ways to loop these through the walls of the bag, usually between the handle holes, which allow for the bag to be sealed prior to being handed to a customer.
• Velcro fastening to close the bag.
• Acetate windows can be added, for example if the bag is to be used to store a single product as the main packaging.
• Gift tags can be tied to the handles

SOS Paper Carrier Bags with Twisted Handles

SOS paper carrier bags (Self - opening - sacks) are printed and folded inline via one production machine. The printing can be up to full colour, with specific pantone colours. Once printed, the bags are folded via the forming section of the machine. The handles are added at a later time. The carrier bags are ideal for handing over an efficient, cost effective, yet quality paper carrier bag to your customers. The side and base gusset allows for a substantial volume of goods in comparison to flat bags and retains shape giving your branding extra clear exposure. Unlike with some cheaper carrier bags, these are less likely to be placed inside another bag and as such give your brand maximum exposure on the high street or around an exhibition. 

The sample paper bag shown here is printed in 2 colours and fitted with a white twisted paper handle.

The sizes for these bags vary. As they are machine made, there are only certain machine settings available. We will supply quotations based on the nearest sizes available.

Print designs can be planned to cover every external side of the bag. The paper is printed flat before being formed into the carrier bag shape. Because of this, the print will join at one of the corners. If the bag is larger than that which can be created with a single sheet of paper, then two pieces will be used and the bag joined in two places. 

Handle colours can vary. For small quantities, stock colours of brown or white, unprinted paper, is advisable. For larger orders, the handle colour can be ordered from stock as required. For even greater quantities the handle colour can be printed to order. 

For alternative handle styles, see the links for tape handled paper carrier bags. For bags of odd sizes, mainly those with large square bases, please see our pizza box section. 

Patch Handle Carrier Bags

Patch handle polythene bags are one of the most widely used carrier bags. They are commonly used on the high street for fashion outlets and sports outlets and also used in many exhibition or promotional situations. Patch handle carrier bags can be printed to a high quality, up to full colour including spot colours. Most machines are able to print using 8 colours. 

Construction:
The bags have reinforced handles. A small patch of polythene is placed behind the handle location during manufacture so that when the handle hole is punched out, the surrounding LDPE or HDPE is supported by an extra layer of usually clear polythene. This adds far great strength around this area and allows the carrier bag to be used for longer periods and carry more weight. Without the patch insert, the handle area tends to be one of the weaker spots on a carrier bag as when in use correctly, the handle will have to support all of the contents of the carrier bag. The bags are commonly side welded and produced with a base gusset to allow greater capacity within the bag.

Jute Carrier Bags

Jute carrier bags are manufactured from a natural jute material. The colour of the jute can be dyed prior to manufacture of the bag, as shown here for the side gussets of the carrier bag. The bag is shown flat packed. Printing onto the just carrier bags is not as accurate as a paper, as the material surface is not as smooth. To compensate, it is better to print larger texts or objects (if a photo quality finish is required onto a natural bag, we suggest a transfer print onto cotton carrier bags). The just carrier bags can be supplied with a variety of bespoke extras as they are produced mainly by hand. The handles can be manufactured to size from bamboo or other locally sourced materials, if not a standard jute handle. Windows and netting can be added, or pockets, or even decorative items. Generally these bags are produced in Asian countries (mainly India) and imported to the UK.

Varigauge Polythene Carrier Bags

Varigauge carrier bags are an ideal solution for low quantity plastic bag requirements. Ideal for small shops, rare usage or exhibitions. Sizes vary from 12x16 inches up to 30x24 inches, plus a base gusset. There are some limitations to this style of carrier bag, but unlike other styles the minimum quantity is much lower and lead times can be much shorter. 

If you need a quick bag, with a simple print design using a few spot colours and some text, these bags are perfect.

Varigauge polythene carrier bags are printed up to 6 colours in total. That can be all 6 on one side, or 3 on each side. Or some other combination, but totalling 6 colours. It may be better to think of it as 6 plates or designs which can be on either side. The material doubles in thickness from the base to give extra support around the handle area. The handles are punched out in either a kidney shape or a straight shaped punch.

Counter Bags

Paper counter bags are an ideal cheap way to promote a product or to package food or inexpensive items at point of sale. Depending on size and printing requirements, these can be printed from as little as 10,000 bags. They can be produced from either white kraft or brown kraft papers, of which there is usually some percentage of recycled materials. Printed sizes of these carrier bags range from 2" x 4" up to 19" x 26". These sizes are subject to machine settings available and also number of colours available per the machine. 

The paper used generally ranges from 35gsm paper up to 70gsm paper. 

Bag specification as shown here:

Flat counter bags:

Quantity: 10,000 (minimum)

Size: 7" x 7"

Material: 35gsm Recycled White Sulphite Paper

Printed: 1 colour, 1 side, 30%.

Packed in 1,000s

These bags can also be produced with a side gusset. An example specification is as follows:

Satchel paper bags

Quantity: 25,000

Size: 8" x 11" x 12" (This is 8" wide, has a 1.5" side gusset and is 12" high)

Material: 35gsm Recycled White Sulphite Paper

Printed: 2 colours, 2 sides, 30%.

Packed in 500s