Custom SOS Paper Bags in Brown or White Kraft

What does SOS stand for on a paper bag?

SOS means self-opening sack. The bottom is folded and glued so that one shake pops it into a flat square base.

Older flat paper bags need to be pried open and never quite stand up. An SOS bag stands open on the counter with both hands free to fill it.

This simple design is why SOS bags are behind almost every busy counter. Pharmacies, delis, hardware stores, candy shops and food trucks all use them.

How does SOS bag numbering work?

SOS bags are sold by number rather than by dimensions. The number is a size code used across the US paper bag trade.

Higher numbers mean bigger bags. A #2 is small enough for a handful of candy, while a #20 handles a full carryout order.

The table below lists the four numbers we quote most and what usually goes in them. Sizes vary slightly between mills, so we confirm exact dimensions on your quote.

Why do pharmacies and delis prefer SOS bags?

Speed and privacy. Both matter at a counter where the line is long and the contents are personal. A pharmacist can open a sack, drop in a prescription and fold the top twice. The receipt is stapled on in seconds.

The folded top keeps contents out of sight, which matters for medicine. White SOS bags are common in pharmacies because they read clean and clinical.

Delis like the upright stance. Wrapped sandwiches and containers go in flat, and the bag stays level on the counter while the order is finished.

Brown or white kraft for an SOS bag?

Brown kraft is the classic look and hides small marks. It suits delis, hardware stores, farm shops and anywhere with a rustic feel.

White kraft makes a printed logo brighter and looks tidy at a pharmacy or bakery counter. It does show grease spots and fingerprints more readily.

Undecided? Many shops print the same logo on both, using white for one department and brown for another. Our guide to kraft versus white paper compares them in detail.

What paper weight do SOS bags use?

Most SOS numbers use kraft around 70–80 gsm, about 43–49 lb basis weight. It folds cleanly at the top and stays firm when standing.

The #20 and other large sacks often move up to a heavier sheet, because they carry bottles and bigger orders. We name the weight on your quote so you can compare suppliers on equal terms.

These are guidance figures, not load ratings. Heavy or wet items still need sensible packing.

White kraft SOS bags are usually quoted at a similar weight to brown. The color mainly changes the look.

Which SOS numbers should a small shop stock?

Most counters manage with two or three numbers. A small one covers single items and a middle one covers everyday buys. A large one handles the occasional big order.

A bakery might stock #4 for one cookie, #8 for a pastry box and #20 for a loaf with extras. A pharmacy usually runs #6 and #12. A hardware counter likes #8 and #20 for screws, fittings and hinges.

Look at your last week of sales and note what people bought. The most common item decides your main number, and the rest follow from there.

Closing the top of an SOS bag

SOS bags have no handles, so the top is folded down to close. How you seal it depends on what is inside.

A sealed top also shows the order has not been opened. Delivery apps and pharmacies both value that small detail.

• Two folds and a staple for prescriptions and paperwork.
• A printed sticker over the fold to brand a plain bag.
• A single loose fold for snacks eaten within minutes.
• A folded top with the receipt clipped on for takeout pickups.
• An open top for bread or flowers that stick out.

Printing on SOS bags

One color on brown kraft is the most common printed SOS order. It works on long runs and keeps the bag affordable for everyday handouts.

Keep the logo within the flat front panel and away from the very bottom, where the base folds. Artwork that crosses a fold can look bent once the bag opens.

Two colors or full color are possible for bakeries and candy shops that want something more decorative. Design Your Bag lets you place your logo on an SOS photo before you ask for a quote.

Small type such as a phone number should be at least 7 pt on kraft. Fibers soften fine lines, especially on brown.

Storing and dispensing SOS bags at the counter

SOS bags arrive folded flat in bundles. Keep one bundle per register, stacked with all the bottoms facing one way. Staff can then grab one without looking.

Store spare cartons somewhere dry. Kraft that has taken on moisture loses its snap and the bottom may not open square.

Staff keep reaching for the wrong number? Label the shelf with the size and a quick note of what it is for.

Mistakes to avoid with SOS bag orders

Ordering one number for everything is common and wasteful. A #20 handed out for a single cookie looks odd and uses far more paper than needed.

Another mistake is choosing a size by its number alone. Measure the item you sell most, then pick the smallest number with room to fold the top.

Finally, do not print right to the bottom edge. The square base folds under, and part of the design ends up hidden.

Some shops also forget seasonal peaks. A candy store may use three times its usual #4 sacks around Halloween and Valentine's Day.

How do I order printed SOS bags?

You can list several numbers on one SOS bag quote request, each with its own quantity.

Once you sign off, the run takes 4–6 business days and the bundles leave with tracking. Expect them 2–3 business days later, with free freight to the US, UK, Canada and Australia.

Misprints or damage reported with photos within 10 days are reprinted or refunded.

1. Choose one or more SOS numbers from the table, or send dimensions.
2. Pick brown or white kraft.
3. Decide whether the sack is plain or printed, and how many ink colors.
4. Send artwork and wait for your free design proof.
5. Approve the proof to start production.