Twisted Handle Paper Bags.

The twisted cord is glued to a paper patch inside the mouth of the bag, on the same machine that forms the bag. Applying the handle inline removes a separate hand-finishing step, and that is why these are the most economical handled bags we produce. The top hem is then folded down over the patch.

That folded hem does two jobs. It stiffens the opening and spreads the pull of the handle across more of the bag wall.

The glued patch that anchors the handle fails first, and very rarely the twisted cord itself. When a bag is overloaded, the bond between patch and bag wall peels, and it usually tears a strip of paper away with it. So the patch quality sets the real load rating.

We use reinforced patches under a folded hem. Made that way, a bag carries 10 pounds or more, while a poorly glued one can struggle with a single bottle of wine.

Brown kraft is our standard because it is slightly stronger at the same weight and hides counter scuffs well. Most of these bags run on 90 to 100gsm brown. White kraft gives brighter print and truer brand colours, at the cost of showing marks more easily.

For wine, bottles and grocery loads we step up to a 120gsm heavy sheet. Recycled kraft with post-consumer content is available right across the 80 to 120gsm range.

Flexo printing is the volume route and runs anything from one spot colour up to full coverage. A single-colour logo on brown kraft remains the classic shop bag. For a more premium finish we print offset on a sheet that is then laminated and made into the bag.

The offset tier opens up matte or gloss lamination, spot UV and foil stamping. A serrated top edge is available on flexo bags if you want the traditional finish.

Add one whenever the bag will carry bottles, boxed goods or anything heavy and awkward. A bottom board is a card panel cut to the base, and it flattens the gusset so items sit level instead of rocking on the folds. It also spreads the weight, which takes strain off the handle patches.

For light purchases such as folded clothing or greeting cards, the reinforced bottom alone is enough and the board can be left out.

Our three common sizes are 8 x 4.5 x 10, 10 x 5 x 13 and 13 x 7 x 17 inches. Each reads width, then gusset, then height. The small bag fits jewellery and cosmetics counters, the middle size handles most boutique purchases, and the large one takes bulkier items.

Anything in between can be made to order, and we'll draw up the dieline at no charge.

You can start with 500 bags. Because the handles go on inline, unit cost falls quickly as quantity rises, so it pays to estimate a season's usage before settling on a number. We run orders as large as 100,000.

Keeping the first order to one or two flexo colours also makes it simpler to repeat when you reorder.

Expect 7 to 10 business days in production after you approve the proof. There's a rush option of 5 to 7 business days for tight dates. If you want to hold a bag and test the handles before committing, a sample takes 5 to 7 business days, and the sample fee is deducted from the bulk invoice.

We deliver to customers all over the USA.