Types of Paper Bags — Bottoms and Handles

A paper bag looks like a simple thing — a sheet of paper, a bottom and two handles. In practice, types of paper bags differ in material, bottom construction and handle type, and this trio determines how much the bag can carry, how it looks on the shelf and how much it costs. If you are choosing a bag for a specific product — for a shop, a food outlet, a boutique or an event — below we break it down into its components, so that you know not “which one is prettier”, but which one will work for you.

Types of paper bags — a quick classification

Bags can be organised in several ways: by material (kraft, white paper, printed, eco version), by bottom construction (flat or satin/V) and by handle (twisted, cord, flat/tape, die-cut). In practice, these three layers combine into a few typical bag “classes”, which are assigned to specific uses. Below is an overview that is the easiest place to start your selection.

The table is a starting point, not a rigid rule — in a specific project these layers mix freely. You can have white paper with a flat bottom and a twisted handle, or premium kraft with a cord; what matters is that the material, bottom and handle work together for the single role the bag is meant to play for your customer.

Material — kraft, white paper, print and the eco version

The material is the first decision, because it gives the bag its character and determines how the print will come out on it:

• Kraft paper — natural, brown, with a visible fibre structure. It gives an “eco / craft” effect, handles weight well and is the default choice in food service and grocery retail.
• White paper — a smooth, light surface. A clean background for colour printing and the choice for brands that want a “premium / tidy” effect.
• Printed — both kraft and white take a logo and full graphics; on kraft the colours are muted and warm, on white — vivid and true.
• Eco version — a bag without lamination and unnecessary extras, entirely made of paper and recyclable. Kraft alone does not make a bag “more eco” than white — what counts is the absence of film and the type of finish.

If you are hesitating between brown and white, we break it down in detail in the article kraft vs white cardboard. For greasy and moist food there is also a separate material in play — greaseproof paper, grease-resistant and valued in bakeries.

Bottom types — flat vs satin (V) and how much they carry

The bottom decides whether the bag stands on its own and how much you can safely put in it:

• Flat bottom (rectangular, glued with a fold) — the bag stands stably, distributes the weight evenly and holds more. This is the choice for heavier and larger contents: purchases, takeaway meals, full sets. It usually pairs with a stronger handle.
• Satin / V bottom (glued to a point) — a simpler and cheaper construction, the bag is flat and light. It works well for lighter contents: bakery, small purchases, accessories. It carries less and stands worse when filled to the brim.

The rule is simple: the heavier and more “standing” the product, the more you lean towards a flat bottom. For light things a V bottom is perfectly sufficient and lowers the cost. It is also worth remembering proportions — a tall, narrow bag with a flat bottom will hold a bottle or a jar more stably than a flat small bag, even if the paper is the same.

Handle types — twisted, cord, flat and die-cut

The handle is the element that most often fails if it is poorly matched to the weight. Four basic types:

• Twisted (twisted paper) — a handle made of paper alone, comfortable in the hand and universal. The default choice for kraft bags in retail and food service.
• Cord — a cord (cotton or synthetic) attached to the bag. It looks the most premium and is usually the most durable — hence its position in boutiques and gift packaging.
• Flat / tape — a flat paper tape. An economical solution, good for large quantities and lighter contents, common in fast food.
• Die-cut / punched — a hole cut straight into the paper, without any added element. Minimalist, “clean” and consistent with an eco message; it works well with light contents.

In short: cord and twisted for heavier and more representative bags, flat and die-cut — for light and high-volume ones.

Grammage and strength

The type of paper alone is not everything — load capacity is also determined by the grammage, that is the thickness and stiffness of the sheet. The higher the grammage, the stiffer the bag and the more resistant to tearing, but also the more expensive and heavier. A lower grammage is cheaper and lighter, but suits more delicate contents. In practice, the strength of the finished bag is the result of four things:

• the paper grammage — the foundation of load capacity,
• the bottom construction — flat carries more than satin,
• the handle type — and the way it is attached,
• the finish — e.g. edge reinforcement or lamination, which adds resistance to moisture.

That is why, instead of asking “what grammage”, it is better to say what you will pack and how heavy it is — we will match the rest to that.

Types of paper bags by industry — what to choose

The quickest way to choose a bag is to look at it through the lens of the industry and the use scenario:

• Shop / retail — a kraft or white bag with a flat bottom and a twisted handle; universal, it withstands everyday purchases and carries a logo well.
• Food service and takeaway — kraft with a flat bottom, a twisted or die-cut handle; for greasier meals it is worth adding a liner or reaching for a barrier material. More on the paper bags page.
• Boutique / fashion / cosmetics — white paper (often printed), a flat bottom and a cord handle; here the “premium” effect and durability are what matter.
• Events, trade fairs, promotions — a promotional bag with a strong print, chosen for brand visibility. We expand on this in the article promotional bags with a logo.
• Cafés and eco brands — kraft with a die-cut or twisted handle; the raw material and a minimalist print on their own build a “natural and local” message.

A well-chosen bag is not just logistics — it is a brand carrier that the customer takes out of the shop and carries across the city. That is why it is worth treating it as part of your identity, and not as the cheapest add-on to a purchase.

Frequently asked questions

Which paper bag carries the most?
The most is carried by a bag made of higher-grammage paper, with a flat bottom and a cord or reinforced handle. This is the set for heavier purchases and full takeaway sets.

Which bottom to choose — flat or satin?
A flat bottom for heavier and larger contents and wherever the bag has to stand. A satin (V) bottom for light things — bakery, accessories, small purchases — where a lower cost matters.

Which handle is the most durable?
Usually the cord — it holds weight well and looks the most representative. The twisted one is universal, and the flat and die-cut ones work well with lighter contents.

Can a logo be printed on a paper bag?
Yes — we do printing on both kraft and white. On kraft the colours are warmer and muted, on white vivid and true. Details at printed packaging.

What is the minimum order quantity for bags?
500 pieces. We do the design, print and a visualisation for approval at cost, and a larger order lowers the price per piece.

Choose a bag for your product

The easiest way to choose the material, bottom and handle is on a specific example. Give us the product, approximate dimensions and quantity, and we will prepare a preliminary quote and suggest which bag type will work.

→ Choose a bag type and calculate the cost

See also

Choosing a bag for your brand? Take a look at the paper bags page and the article on promotional bags with a logo. For the material, a comparison of kraft and white will help, and for food — greaseproof paper. We are a packaging manufacturer from Warsaw — we do the design and visualisation at cost, produce from 500 pieces and ship across Poland.