Nothing new can be said about paper bags for almost 200 years of their use. As the packaging of goods, a means of transmission and quantitative distribution, paper bags have always been part of the trade. The paper bag has gradually lost its relevance with the advent of plastic bags – for obvious reasons.
The development of technology has determined the dominance of plastic packaging, provided with important advantages – strength, resistance to moisture, cost, ease of storage, and the ability to reliably protect and preserve goods, especially food. The dominance of plastic in the packaging industry has been going on since the middle of the last century, and at the same time, we are face the disastrous consequences of its impact on the global habitat: Plastic trash in the ocean, and microplastic particles in the food.
Government bans, increased excise taxes, or companies’ own decisions are driving a gradual transition to biodegradable packaging materials.
The trend has reversed, and the quantitative growth in the production of paper bags has become noticeable both in highly competitive industries and in oligopolistic ones.
Additionally, an important factor in the growth of the popularity of paper bags is that instead of wood pulp, bagasse, straw, and coconut, husks are used as raw materials for their production.
The demand for paper bags on the market in the “background” was previously provided by the requests of small food retailers, street food enterprises, bakeries, and confectioneries. Now, paper bags have become a “hit” for the fashion industry, expensive gifts, and luxury items – an attribute of premium class and premium consumption.
The hardness of the structure and the peculiarity of the surface of the paper bag ensure color accuracy, modern printing allows the printing of highly artistic images, and post-printing processing guarantees the embodiment of the design complexity of ideas and design. Technology has confirmed the relevance of paper bags for business and trade as an important element in increasing awareness and solving marketing problems.
At the moment, all the existing diversity can be reduced to several main types that have their own names. Most industries, including ours, prefer to use established names for package types in communications with the customer and the market. Let’s try to name the main ones.
- Kraft bag or bag made of kraft paper.
The most common type of bag in the world as it is used by most supermarkets and grocery stores. Their main advantage is their low price and the possibility of recycling after disposal. They are made of brown kraft paper and sometimes have an additional insert to strengthen the bottom. Kraft bags do not have high strength, especially when the material gets wet. This is a one-time package.
- Kraft bag (Stand-on-Shelf, SOS bags)
A Kraft bag is a bag with a handle. This is not the only difference; craft of greater density and, accordingly, strength is used for their manufacture. They serve longer, as a rule, they already carry company symbols and advertising messages. They are often used as an additional element of packaging during transportation or directly, for example, for gift wrapping.
- Kraft envelope or just an envelope
This product is mainly used by bakeries and confectioneries. It differs from the kraft bag in the absence of a bottom formed by a rectangle and a special moisture and grease-resistant substrate. The closed end is formed by folding the paper sleeve of the bag. The main type of packaging for the retail sale of dry food products.
- Paper bags (Tote-bag, Vogue bag, Gift-bag etc.)
Common to this group of products is, as a rule, the use of thick high-quality paper, multi-color printing, and a variety of post-printing finishes. Including gilding embossing and film lamination, which, on the one hand, guarantees the implementation of the most daring design ideas, and on the other, the practical impossibility of recycling.
Paper bags come in a variety of colors, and shapes, have high strength and can be used for a long time. Major fashion firms choose paper bags for their premium look and unlimited personalization options. We can talk about a branded accessory – a fashionable bag that has its own value. Brand awareness and stand-alone functionality make it possible to resell a paper bag to people who want to emphasize their own status.
A variety of designs is the reason for the spread of paper bags as an element of gift wrapping in everyday life. Paper bags for packaging bottles, jewelry, children’s gifts, sweets, gift cards, souvenirs, etc. are consistently presented in the standard range.
Today, paper bags and bags are a versatile, modern, and elegant packaging solution for any purpose. The business considers these products as the most practical marketing tool.
We offer the maximum range – from convenient craft bags to designer products with a variety of fittings and a combination of printing methods and all types of finishes.
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