Blog

The humble but fashionable paper bag is the bag of choice for many retailers. They like the way the bags look, customers like how they feel and everyone appreciates that the bag can be reused and then recycled.

Paper bags may be a popular and sensible packaging option, but they are more than that. Each one of those bags is an opportunity for you to get the word out about your brand and its products. With custom printed paper bags, you can spread your message to a larger audience without really having to lift a finger.

Designing and manufacturing custom printed paper bags are just two of the things at which Mid-Atlantic Packaging excels. Because we specialize in packaging, we are a favorite resource for brands both large and small. Whether you need a huge order of thousands of paper bags all printed with your logo or just a few hundred bags for a special event or a small product launch, look to the packaging design experts at Mid-Atlantic Packaging for help. We specialize in getting the details just right so that your custom paper bags look precisely the way that you imagined them.

Why Brands and Retailers Like Paper Bags

Once you start doing some research, you will quickly discover why so many brands and retailers prefer paper bags over other types of bags. Some of these reasons may include:

• They are a fantastic opportunity to advertise
• The printing options on paper bags are limitless
• Printing looks fabulous on paper bags
• Options as far as size, handles and more are numerous
• They can be reused and recycled

Don’t miss this chance to let people on the street see the name of your shop or brand. You would probably be surprised by how many people who are carrying one of your bags will be stopped and asked where that store is. Can you really afford to pass up an opportunity provided by this inexpensive form of advertising?

Printing on Custom Paper Bags

Is it hard to get your logo, graphics, or text printed on a paper bag? Not at all!

All you have to do is call the packaging design professionals at Mid-Atlantic Packaging. With our considerable experience, we can help your team design a paper bag that every consumer will want to carry.

You’ll have many options from which to choose. For instance, we will discuss the following specifications with you:

• The desired size of the bags
• What material will the bags be made of?
• Will the bags have handles?
• What should be printed on each bag?
• Which printing technique is best for your bags?

That is a great deal to consider, but when you work with us, you can rest assured that you have an expert on your side who can help you make well-informed decisions that make sense for your brand, your products, and your customers.

How Much Does the Printing Technique Matter?

Frequently, entrepreneurs and marketing people are surprised to learn that there are so many different printing techniques that are appropriate for use on paper bags. They might even believe that the printing technique isn’t particularly important.

However, that isn’t the case. Each printing technique has its own advantages and disadvantages. Which one is right for your bags?

Deciding may not be easy, but once you understand more about each of the most common printing techniques, you’ll be able to make a choice that works for your brand.

Let’s take a look at each of these printing techniques in greater detail. If you have questions, just pick up the phone. The custom paper bag designers at Mid-Atlantic Packaging are ready to help.

Inline Flexographic Printing

Do you need a large quantity of custom paper bags in a hurry? If so, then this may be the right printing choice for your bags. Flexographic printing is accomplished with lightning-fast speed, and it even uses fast-drying inks.

Flexography, or flexo as you might hear industry insiders refer to it, is a modern update on traditional letterpress printing. It is suitable for a wide variety of materials, including all sorts of paper. This technique relies upon flexible photopolymer or rubber printing plates that are wrapped around a floating cylinder on a press. The printing plates have a raised image to which ink is applied, making them rather like a rubber stamp.

As the floating cylinder is rotated, the image is imprinted on the material, in this case, paper bags. If the design on your bags has only one color, then only one plate is needed. Additional plates will have to be created if you want to use more than one color, which increases the overall cost.

However, this is one of the main benefits of inline flexographic printing. You can have it done in multiple colors, and it’s possible to use complex graphics and text. Typically, the printing is done before the paper is cut, folded, and glued into its final shape as a carry bag. This makes it possible to have your graphic cover the majority of the bag if you desire.

Generally ordered in large runs of 5,000 or more bags, flexographic printing is a great option for brands that need a high volume of bags in a relatively short turnaround time.

Hot Stamping

Hot stamping is a really popular technique with paper bags at the current time. This technique gives the finished bags an upscale look, making each bag appear as if it’s carrying a really exclusive item. With their expensive finish, these bags are a top choice of jewelry stores, boutiques, wineries, and others. This is even a good choice if you’re planning a special event like a wedding, anniversary party, or birthday party. A small run of hot-stamped paper bags for favors is just the thing to give your event the “wow” factor.

With this technique, no printing plate is used. Instead, a metal die is used to stamp into a single sheet of metallic foil. This makes the foil release onto the printing medium, which in this example is a paper bag.

Hot stamping gives the logo an opaque, glossy look even when it is used on a dark-colored bag. Typically, this technique is used in conjunction with an existing bag, which may mean that the printing may be limited by things like gussets, handles, and seams.

While these bags can be more expensive than some other options, they really do provide a special look and feel to each bag. The extra expense may very well be worth it to let your customers know how much you appreciate them.

Lithographic Printing

Sometimes called litho or offset printing, this technique involves putting the desired design on a plate. The plate is then coated with ink so that the design can be transferred to the paper. Also involved in the process is a rubber blanket.

Lithographic printing has been around for more than two centuries. As such, the technology involved is highly perfected, making this a low-cost, high-volume choice that many brands prefer. If you need to print hundreds or even thousands of bags, this is an inexpensive and reliable option.

Sharp, smooth and clear images are the standard with litho. Plus, the rubber blanket that actually applies the ink to the paper is really good at conforming to the paper’s surface. This means that you get a better transfer every time.

Do you need litho-printed bags in time for an opening or an event? Just ask Mid-Atlantic Packaging about how we can help you. Paper bags with litho printing are versatile and can be produced really fast so that they are ready when you need them.

Digital Printing

If your brand is firmly entrenched in the digital era, then this option might appeal to you. Rather than using a plate, your design can be created using any software with which you are comfortable. We’ll even help you with the design if you’re unsure how to begin.

Digital printing on paper bags is a great deal like printing using your printer at the office. The data is on the computer, then it’s fed to the manufacturing unit, which begins producing bags with your unique logo, graphics, and text.

With crisp colors and sharp images, digital printing is the way to go for many brands. You’ll be surprised by the versatility that’s available with this printing technique.

Screen Printing

This is another printing technique that requires the creation of a frame, rather than a plate, to transfer the desired design to the material. It’s an enormously popular choice, though it can be time-consuming and expensive.

For brands that really want to dial up the chic, exclusive feel of their products, the added complexity that comes with screen printing may be worthwhile.

Ask Mid-Atlantic Packaging About Custom Paper Bags

Custom paper bags may be exactly what your brand needs to get the word out. Ask us how you can get custom printed paper bags that include your original logo or other design. We have design professionals on staff who can help you choose the right paper and the right printing technique so that your bags look exactly how you want them to.