Blog

Before you even get started on creating the perfect design for your custom shopping bag, you need to evaluate which type of bag will be best for your business and products. Unfortunately, this choice is no longer as simple as deciding “paper or plastic?”

Now when choosing a bag, you can go for a reusable canvas tote, a natural jute pouch, a frosted plastic bag with rope handles, a holiday-themed paper bag…today, even your options have options! Take a breath: we’re here to help you narrow them down.

The first consideration you should be making when you’re deciding on the many different types of paper shopping bags is whether you want to go the recycled or regular route. The biggest issue we’ve noticed is that a lot of our customers think that recycled options are going to be much more expensive, which isn’t always the case. Often, people aren’t aware that both options come very close in price (again, because many people assume that the recycled bags will be a bit pricier.) And even if the recycled option you find is a bit more expensive, it’s important to keep in mind that according to a recent study conducted by Nielsen, more than 50% of global consumers are willing to pay more for the products of a company they feel is socially and ethically responsible. So, going with a recycled option when creating your customized shopping bags gives you the added value of relating to customers who care about your environmental impact – without costing you much more at all.

Kraft Paper Shopping Bags

Kraft shopping bags are still the most common type of paper bag. They’re made from kraft paper, which is created from a pulping process designed to create a sturdy type of paper that can handle heavy loads. Chances are, when you envision a paper bag, what you’re seeing is a kraft bag. Kraft paper shopping bags can be made with numerous types of handles, such as ribbon, twisted, or rope handles to add extra strength and durability.

Though many people hear “kraft” and often think of just the standard, boring old “brown paper bags,” kraft bags are actually easily customizable, the perfect base for your custom shopping bags with logo prints or stickers, and they can be tinted in and decorated with different colors and patterns. They’re ideal for clothing and cosmetic stores, stores selling paper products like stationary and notebooks, and are even used for gift wrap in stores and at home. Best of all? They’re super-affordable, and the fact that they’re still made from paper makes them easier to recycle and reuse than plastic bags.

Recycled Paper Bags

We know that most people want to do what they can to help the environment, but sometimes small business owners can be understandably anxious about any potential extra expenses they think can sometimes come along with doing good. That’s why we’re happy to again remind you that recycled bag options are generally very comparably priced.

So really, when deciding which bag to use, it’s all about branding and personal preference. If you’re selling holistic or homemade products, customers might scoff at bags not made from recycled materials.

It’s all about knowing your target market and what is the most important to them: the more eye-catching bag, or the more ethical one?

There’s no single right answer, but there is a right answer for your customer base. And don’t think for one minute that recycled bags can’t be festive! (We love these homespun Christmas recycled kraft paper shopping bags.)

The Bottom Line

The difference between recycled bags and kraft bags isn’t as vast as most people think. In reality:

• Both types of bags are available in a variety of different sizes
• Both can be customized with your logo, store address and hours, social media hashtags, and anything else you can think of
• Best of all, the price is usually about the same for both

So, it really comes down to the specific bag you and your customers like the best. Thankfully, you don’t have to choose between what’s best for your wallet and what’s best for the environment. That’s one less thing to worry about!

Curious about the differences between other types of bags? Wondering which packaging products are best for you to promote your products? Need help figuring out which types of handles you should choose for your bag? That’s what our blog is for! We’re always answering some of the most common retail packaging questions here. Got a topic you’d love to see addressed? Need a question answered? Write to us and let us know – like you, we know how valuable customer and reader feedback can be!