Kraft Paper Bags with Handles for Retail and Carryout

The bag most counters run out of first

Ask a shop owner which bag they reorder most and the answer is usually this one. A plain brown kraft bag with twisted handles goes with almost any product and any shop front.

It works for a bookshop on Monday and a taco counter on Friday. That flexibility is why many businesses keep one kraft handle bag as the default and add special bags later. It also keeps ordering simple: one size, one paper, one reorder.

What fits in a 10 × 5 × 13 kraft bag?

This is the size we quote most. Its 5-inch gusset takes two standard takeout containers side by side, or a stack of three folded T-shirts.

Selling small items? The 8 × 4.75 × 10.5 inch bag is often enough and costs less per unit. For broad, flat items, step up to a wider bag rather than a taller one. Our chart of common paper bag sizes lists every standard dimension.

How the twisted handle is attached

Each handle is a loop of twisted paper cord. Its ends are glued to a paper strip, and that strip is glued inside the top of the bag.

The folded top turn sits over the strip, which spreads the pull across the width of the bag. That is why a well-made kraft handle bag carries a full load without tearing at the handle. If you want to compare it with flat or rope handles, read our guide to paper bag handle types.

Choosing paper weight for what you sell

Lighter kraft folds easily and suits clothing, cards and small gifts. Heavier kraft stands up on its own and copes better with bottles, jars and books.

As guidance, 100–120 gsm suits light retail and 130–150 gsm suits heavier carryout. Every quote states the paper weight. Our explainer on gsm and basis weight converts it to US pounds.

• Clothing, accessories, cards: lighter kraft is usually fine
• Takeout meals with sauces in containers: mid weight keeps the base flat
• Wine, jars, candles in glass, books: choose the heavier end
• Wet or greasy items: pack them in a container first, not straight in the bag

Plain brown or printed with your logo?

Plain kraft bags are the cheapest way to look tidy. Many market stalls and new shops start here and add a sticker or stamp at the counter.

Once you know which size you use most, printing a one-color logo on that size is a sensible next step. Dark inks such as black or forest green sit well on natural brown. If the logo is the main reason you are buying, see our custom printed paper bags page for artwork advice.

Is brown kraft the same shade on every order?

No. Natural kraft is unbleached paper, so the brown can shift a little from one paper batch to the next. One reorder may be slightly lighter or warmer than the last.

This is normal for brown paper and does not count as a misprint. If an exact shade matters for a store fit-out, tell us when you request your quote. We note it and check the paper before printing.

Using kraft handle bags for food orders

Restaurants and cafés use the same brown handle bag for carryout. The flat base keeps lidded containers level. The handles keep the bag off the customer's legs on the walk to the car.

Match the gusset to your container depth. A gusset narrower than your box makes the bag bulge. The side seams then take strain they were not made for. Put napkins and cutlery in last, on top, so they stay clean. For hot food, leave the top open for a minute so steam does not soften the paper.

• Sauces and soups: lidded containers only, packed upright
• Pizza-style trays and cake boxes: choose a wide 13-inch bag
• Drinks: use a carrier inside the bag, not loose cups

Tips for using kraft handle bags at the counter

A few habits make the bags last longer and look better when they leave your shop.

• Store cartons flat and dry; damp air softens kraft and loosens glue
• Open each bag fully so the square base locks before you load it; a half-open base folds back under weight
• Put the heaviest item in first, flat on the base
• Do not overfill past the top turn, or the handles pull inward
• Keep a second, smaller size for single small items

Common mistakes when buying kraft bags in bulk

Buying the largest size "to be safe" is the classic error. Small items then rattle around, and you pay for paper you do not need.

The other mistake is ordering too few. Running out mid-season means buying whatever bag you can find. Use our paper bag order quantity guide to turn weekly sales into a sensible number.

How do I order kraft paper bags with handles?

You can send a request in a couple of minutes from the form on this page.

1. Pick a size, or tell us what you put in the bag.
2. Say plain or printed, and how many bags you want.
3. We send a written quote, with prices from $0.30 per bag.
4. For printed bags, approve the free proof of your logo.
5. We make the bags in 4–6 business days.
6. Tracked delivery takes 2–3 business days and costs nothing to the US, UK, Canada or Australia.

After the cartons arrive

Count the bundles and open a few bags from different cartons, not just the top one. Check the handles are glued straight and the base folds square.

Spot damage or a print fault? Photograph it and send it to us within 10 days. We reprint or refund, whichever suits you.