How Many Types of Paper Bags Are There?

Feeling lost in a sea of paper bag options? Choosing the wrong one can hurt your brand image and your budget. I will help you understand the key types.

There are three main categories of paper bags: functional bags like SOS sacks for groceries, standard retail bags with twisted or flat paper handles, and premium Eurototes with luxury handles like ribbon or rope, designed for high-end branding.

The term "paper bag" covers a huge range of products. The best choice depends entirely on your product, your customer, and the experience you want to create. As the CEO of Omet Packaging, I have spent over a decade helping businesses make this exact decision. It’s not just about holding an item; it’s about making a statement. Let’s look at the main options so you can choose with confidence.

Which Paper Bags Are Best for Everyday Retail?

Do you need a reliable bag for your shop that won’t break the bank? Choosing between basic options can be confusing. The wrong choice can lead to torn bags and unhappy customers.

For everyday retail, the two best options are the SOS (Self-Opening Sack) bag for quick service and the twisted-handle bag for a more traditional shopping experience. Both offer a great balance of cost, strength, and branding potential.

These two bags are the workhorses of the retail world. You’ve seen them everywhere for a reason: they are practical and cost-effective. The SOS bag is the classic, flat-bottomed bag you see at a bakery or pharmacy. It stands on its own for easy loading but typically has no handles. The twisted-handle bag is the most common shopping bag. It’s made by a machine that twists paper into cord-like handles and attaches them to the bag. They are surprisingly strong and provide a large, flat surface that is perfect for printing your company’s logo. At our factory, we produce millions of these FSC-certified bags for apparel brands, bookstores, and specialty food shops. They are the go-to standard for a reason.

Comparing Common Retail Bags

When Should You Invest in a Luxury Eurotote Bag?

Does your standard shopping bag undermine your high-end product? A cheap bag can make a luxury item feel less special. The answer is a bag that reflects the quality inside.

You should invest in a luxury Eurotote bag when your brand is built on a premium experience. They feature heavy-duty paper, reinforced fold-over tops, and high-end handles like satin ribbon or cotton rope, signaling superior quality to your customer.

A Eurotote is more than just a bag; it’s a statement piece. It’s constructed by hand or semi-automatically, which allows for much higher quality and customization. The paper is thicker, a bottom board insert adds rigidity, and the top edge is folded over for a clean, reinforced finish. The real star, however, is the handle. We create these bags with soft cotton ropes for a nautical-themed brand, sleek satin ribbons for a cosmetics company, or durable grosgrain ribbons for a high-end apparel boutique. We often finish them with techniques like embossing, foil stamping, or spot UV coating to make the brand’s logo pop. A client in the jewelry business told me their customers keep and reuse the Eurototes we made for them. This extends the brand’s visibility long after the initial purchase. That’s the power of investing in a premium experience.

How Does Paper Choice Affect a Bag’s Strength and Image?

Are you wondering if you should use brown Kraft or white paper? It seems like a simple choice, but it has a big impact on your bag’s performance, look, and sustainability story.

The choice between Kraft paper and coated paper determines the bag’s final look and feel. Natural brown Kraft paper offers an organic, rustic image and high tear resistance. White coated paper (like SBS) provides a smooth, polished surface for vibrant, full-color printing.

The material you choose is the foundation of your bag’s design. Brown Kraft paper is an excellent choice for brands that want to project an eco-conscious image. It’s incredibly strong and its natural texture is very popular. You can also get bleached white Kraft, which has the same strength but with a clean white surface. Coated paper, or Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS), is what you choose when print quality is your top priority. It has a clay coating that creates a very smooth, bright white surface, allowing for sharp details and vivid colors. When we produce Eurototes for cosmetics brands, we almost always use SBS board. Critically, regardless of the type, we ensure the paper is FSC-certified. This Forest Stewardship Council certification guarantees the paper pulp comes from responsibly managed forests. This, combined with our BSCI-compliant ethical factory standards, allows our clients to be confident that their packaging is not just beautiful, but also sustainable and ethically produced.

Paper Type At-a-Glance

Conclusion

Choosing the right paper bag is crucial to ensuring its functionality and style meet your brand’s specific needs. It’s a crucial element in product presentation and customer experience. If you’re unsure of the right paper bag for your product and brand, we can offer suggestions on materials, craftsmanship, and even handles. We hope our advice can elevate your brand to the next level. Please contact us at Omet.