The shopping bag is the last thing your customer takes from the store and the first thing strangers see on the street. It has to carry the purchase, match the interior and survive a busy Saturday at the till.
We produce custom paper bags as part of our packaging range, next to the labels and hang tags inside the garments. Here is the planning order we suggest to fashion stores and boutiques, with a sample size set to start from.
Plan the size set around what you sell
Bags are specified as width × gusset (depth) × height. Fold a typical garment the way your staff pack it, measure it, then add room for tissue paper and a gift box if you use one. Most stores work comfortably with two or three sizes.
| Size | W × D × H (mm) | Typical contents |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 180 × 80 × 220 | Jewellery, scarves, socks, cosmetics |
| Medium | 250 × 100 × 320 | Shirts, T-shirts, knitwear, small boxes |
| Large | 320 × 120 × 420 | Dresses, trousers, jackets, several items |
| Landscape | 450 × 150 × 350 | Folded coats, shoes, boxed items |
| Extra large | 500 × 150 × 400 | Outerwear, bulky knits, multiple boxes |
Landscape bags suit flat-folded garments and boxes; portrait bags carry longer items more comfortably. If you use custom boxes, design the bag around the box so it stands upright and does not slide. Custom sizes are always possible.
Choose the paper for the look you want
Kraft
Brown or white kraft of around 100–150 g/m² is strong, natural and ideal for one- or two-colour print with twisted paper handles. It fits casual, denim, outdoor and concept stores.
Coated art paper
Around 157–250 g/m², with a smooth surface for full-colour print, solid brand colours and fine detail. It is usually laminated for strength and a premium feel, the classic fashion boutique bag.
Uncoated designer paper
Soft and tactile, beautiful with embossing and foil, and favoured by minimalist brands. Colours print softer than on coated stock, so approve the proof on the real paper.
Card reinforcement at the top fold and a stiff base insert help any bag keep its shape. FSC-certified paper is available on request.
Match the handle to the bag
| Handle | Impression | Pairs well with |
|---|---|---|
| Twisted paper | Natural, practical | Kraft bags, all-paper construction |
| Flat paper | Simple, economical | Lighter purchases, gift shops |
| Cotton or polyester cord | Classic boutique | Coated, laminated bags |
| Ribbon | Soft and elegant | Premium fashion, jewellery, gifts |
| Die-cut | Clean, modern | Small bags, minimalist design |
Cord and ribbon handles are knotted or glued inside the reinforced top fold. A ribbon can carry your logo, woven or printed, which links the bag with the garment trims; see our woven tapes and ribbons. For a bag that is easy to recycle, choose paper handles.
Print and finishing
- Pantone print in one or two colours for strong, consistent brand colour; full colour for images and patterns.
- Inside print for a small surprise when the bag opens.
- Lamination in matt, gloss or soft-touch to protect the print and strengthen the bag.
- Hot foil for the logo, on a limited area for the best effect.
- Embossing or debossing for texture without extra colour.
- Spot UV for a glossy logo on a matt surface.
A calm layout usually wins: logo on both faces, perhaps the web address on the gusset. Bags are seen from a distance, so a bold mark beats small text. Remember daily use as well. Dark solid colours show scuffed corners sooner, gloss shows fingerprints, and staff who write on bags need a print-free area.
Test before you approve
Ask for a blank sample bag and carry a real purchase in it around the shop. You will see immediately whether the size, handle length and strength are right, and it costs far less than discovering it after delivery.
How many to order
- Take your average monthly transactions.
- Estimate the share of each size from a week of sales.
- Multiply by the six to twelve months you want to cover.
- Add a buffer for gifts, events and peaks such as December, plus any bags that go into online parcels.
A larger run of fewer sizes is more efficient than many sizes in small quantities. For seasonal changes, keep the base bag permanent and refresh it with a seasonal sticker or ribbon. Minimums depend on size, paper and finish, and we confirm them with your quote.
Storing bags well
Keep bags flat in their cartons in a dry room, away from sunlight, heaters, damp cellars and outside walls; moisture weakens glue and makes bags curl. Store cartons off the floor, avoid stacking heavy goods on top, and use the oldest stock first. Laminated bags scratch if they rub, so leave them in their original packing until needed.
Complete the packaging set
Tissue paper in your brand colour, a logo sticker to seal it and a box for gifts turn a bag into a full brand experience. As one manufacturer for tissue paper, stickers and paper bags, we keep colours aligned across the set. Tell us about your store and we will suggest a size set.
How many bag sizes does a boutique need?
Most boutiques manage with two or three sizes, for example small for accessories, medium for tops and large for dresses and jackets.
Kraft or coated paper for a fashion store?
Kraft gives a natural, relaxed look with simple print; coated, laminated paper suits full-colour designs and a premium feel. The right choice follows your store interior and brand style.
Can the bag handle carry our logo?
Yes. Ribbon handles can be woven or printed with your logo to match your garment trims.
How should we store paper bags?
Flat in their cartons, in a dry room away from heat and sunlight, with nothing heavy stacked on top.
