Twisted Handle Paper Bags in Brown, White and Colored Kraft

What makes a twisted handle different?

The handle is a length of paper twisted into a firm cord, then bent into a loop. Its two ends are glued inside the bag under a small patch.

Because it is round, the cord sits comfortably in the fingers, even on a long walk. It is also light and cheap to make. That keeps the bag price sensible for shops handing out hundreds a week.

Who uses twisted handle paper bags?

Boutiques, cafés, gift shops, florists and beauty counters order this style most. It looks neater than a plain grocery sack but costs far less than a rope-handle bag.

Cafés like the small sizes for pastries in a box and a bag of beans. Gift shops use the same bag for candles, mugs and cards. Florists pick it for potted herbs and small posies that need a hand free for the door.

• Clothing and accessory boutiques
• Cafés selling boxed pastries and retail coffee
• Florists sending out small arrangements and plants
• Gift and card shops
• Salons and beauty counters selling take-home products

Matching the handle to the bag color

The handle is a design choice, not only a carrying part. A handle in a matching color looks calm and finished. It also hides wear from hands over a long day of shopping. A contrast handle, such as orange on navy, makes a small bag stand out on a shelf.

The inside of a colored bag often shows the paper's natural side. On a dyed bag, that inside color is part of the look when the bag is open.

Can a twisted handle bag carry heavier items?

It can carry a fair load for its size, but we do not give weight ratings. What decides it is the paper weight, the size of the handle patch and how the bag is packed.

A small bag with two glass jars is the most common strain we see. The patch is narrow, so all the pull lands on a short strip of glue. For heavy goods, choose a wider bag with a heavier paper, or move up to rope handles. Our rope handle paper bags spread the pull through reinforced holes instead of a glued patch.

• Light goods such as clothing and cards: any standard weight
• Boxed candles and mugs: mid weight paper, bag sized to the box
• Bottles and several glass jars: heavier paper or a rope handle bag

Which size twisted handle bag works for a gift shop?

For gift shops, the 8 × 4.75 × 10.5 inch size does most of the work. It takes a boxed candle, a mug, a book or a couple of small gifts.

For jewelry, cards and lip products, the 5.25 × 3.25 × 8.4 inch bag fits without the item disappearing inside. Larger items move up to 10 × 5 × 13 inches. You can see all standard sizes in our paper bag size reference chart.

Colored paper or printed color?

There are two ways to get a colored bag. You can choose paper that is colored right through, or print a solid color over white kraft.

Paper colored through the sheet hides scuffs well, because a scratch shows the same color. Printed flood color gives a closer match to a brand shade but can show white at worn folds. For a pure white look, our white paper bags with handles page explains the bleached options.

Paper weight for small handled bags

Small twisted handle bags do not need heavy paper. As guidance, 100–130 gsm is common, which is roughly 62–80 lb basis.

Go heavier if you sell glass jars, candles in glass or bottles of oil. The extra stiffness helps the bag keep its shape on display. Our gsm to basis weight guide explains the numbers on your quote.

Printing a logo on a twisted handle bag

A single logo centered on the front is the usual layout. Keep it at least an inch below the top turn, because the handle patch sits behind that area. A second, smaller mark on the back helps when the bag is carried logo-in.

On colored paper, white or metallic foil prints read best. On brown kraft, a dark one-color logo is simple and effective. You can test the look in Design Your Bag before you request a quote.

What goes wrong with twisted handle bags?

Most complaints come down to overloading or poor storage, rather than the bag itself. A quick check of what your staff actually put in the bag usually finds the cause.

• Packing heavy glass into a small, light bag, so the handle patch pulls
• Storing bags in a humid stockroom, which weakens the glue
• Choosing a pale handle on a dark bag that shows hand marks quickly
• Placing the logo where the handle patch shows through on thin paper

How do I order twisted handle bags in a brand color?

Send us your color reference with the request and we confirm what can be matched on paper and handle.

1. Choose the bag size and paper: brown, white or colored.
2. Pick a handle color, matching or contrast.
3. Upload a logo if you want print, and tell us the ink colors.
4. We return a written quote, starting at $0.30 a unit.
5. Check and approve the free design proof.
6. Making the bags takes 4–6 business days. Tracked cartons land 2–3 business days later, shipped free within the US, UK, Canada or Australia.

Storing and reordering

Keep cartons off the floor in a dry room, away from the back door and the coffee machine. Paper handles and glue last far longer away from damp and heat.

Keep one bag from each order as a reference. At reorder time, a photo of that bag makes the color and handle easy to repeat. Found a print fault or crushed carton? Photos sent inside 10 days get you a reprint or your money back.