Signs & Large Format Print
What printed paper bags cost
| Quantity | Price for the run | Price per bag |
|---|---|---|
| 100 pcs | approx. €185 | approx. €1.85 |
| 500 pcs | approx. €580 | approx. €1.15 |
A sum worth doing before you order: the difference between 100 and 500 pieces is approx. €395, so each of the 400 extra bags costs approx. €1. If a shop hands out a few dozen bags a week, 500 will go in a few months, and bags do not go off as long as they are kept dry.
240 × 340 × 90 mm (width × height × depth) is a versatile bag for cosmetics, books, folded clothing and small purchases. Other sizes, papers and handles are quoted from a short description. The range is on the printed paper bags page.
Which paper for the bag
The paper decides the look, the strength and the price.
Brown Kraft. A natural, eco look, most often chosen by bakeries, natural cosmetics shops, delis and boutiques. Print on a brown base has muted colours – white and light shades come out weakly, dark and saturated colours well.
White Kraft. The same raw material, bleached. Colours come out livelier than on brown, and the bag keeps its matt, 'papery' character.
Laminated art paper. Smooth, with full, saturated colour and a matt or gloss finish. These are the bags you get in premium stores, with corporate gifts and at trade shows. More expensive, but they can take finishes – foiling, spot varnish, embossing. More on the print finishes page.
We choose the paper weight to suit the bag size and the weight of the contents. A bag for one book can be lighter paper; a bag for three bottles of wine cannot. Tell us what goes inside and we will choose the paper.
Handles – pros and cons
- Twisted paper handle. The most common on Kraft bags. Comfortable, strong and all-paper, so the whole bag can be recycled.
- Flat paper handle. Cheaper, good for light purchases such as bread or small clothing items. With heavier contents it cuts into the hand.
- Cotton or polypropylene cord. Typical on laminated bags. It looks smart, and the colour can be matched to the brand.
- Ribbon. A gift effect, expensive and labour-intensive – sensible for short runs of premium bags.
- Die-cut handle in the paper. No extra components, but it carries less weight. Works for flat bags for documents and catalogues.
The most common mistake is choosing a handle for looks rather than weight. A bag for a bottle or jars needs a reinforced base and a proper handle, or it will tear the first time it is lifted.
Bag design – what works
A bag is a walking poster, but people see it for a second, from a few metres away. So:
- the logo should be large and legible – the bag should be recognisable from across the street,
- less is more: the logo and web address are usually enough; a phone number and a list of services just add clutter,
- on brown Kraft avoid light colours and small text in white,
- leave a margin from the edges and from where the handles are – the paper folds there,
- remember the gussets (the bag's depth) – they can carry a web address or slogan.
Clients often ask whether to print both sides. A bag is carried side-on to passers-by, sometimes one face forward, sometimes the other. If only one side is printed, half the time the logo is hidden against the leg. For bags meant to advertise a shop around town, double-sided print usually pays off. For gift bags handed over in person, one side is often enough.
Prepare the file in CMYK, with the logo as a vector. More on the difference between colour on screen and in print in our guide CMYK or RGB. If you have no design, our studio will prepare one.
- 24 hexpress printing (UV inks need no drying)
- approx. 3 daysstandard lead time
- up to 14 dayslarge and custom projects with installation
Plus courier delivery. Tell us your date — we plan production around it.
Checklist before ordering bags
- What will go in the bag, and how much does it weigh?
- Size: width × height × depth. Best to measure the largest product that will go in.
- Paper: brown Kraft, white Kraft or laminated.
- Handle: twisted, flat, cord, ribbon.
- Print: one side or both, and possibly the gussets.
- Quantity – it is worth asking for a quote at two levels and comparing the unit price.
- The date the bags must be in the shop or on the stand.
With this information we can come back with a quote quickly, without follow-up questions. If the bag is part of a gift set, see also our guide to logo boxes in small quantities.