How to Specify Paper Carrier Bags

Start by measuring the products your paper carrier bag needs to hold, considering whether items will sit upright or flat. From here, define the width, height and gusset (depth) of the bag to ensure optimal fit and usability.

Handle length is also an important consideration – whether for hand carry or shoulder use – as it impacts both functionality and customer experience. Accurate sizing ensures efficient production, reduces material waste and guarantees consistency across production runs.

Our team can help you define the most efficient bag size and specification to optimise both cost and performance in production.

Sustainability is central to modern paper carrier bag design and production. At Progress, we help brands specify eco-friendly carrier bags and sustainable paper shopping bags using responsibly sourced materials and recyclable constructions.

Avoiding plastic-based laminations and opting for FSC® certified paper stocks ensures your custom carrier bags are fully recyclable. We also offer plastic-free handle options and low-impact printing processes such as water-based varnishes and soy-based inks to reduce environmental impact without compromising on quality or brand presentation.

Speak to our team to explore sustainable retail carrier bag options that align with your brand’s environmental goals.

Designed for shoulder carry, long handles typically range from 50–90 cm. Ideal for heavier items or larger retail purchases, they provide comfort and practicality.

Short handles (20–40 cm) are designed for hand carry. Ideal for lightweight products, gifting and premium retail environments, offering a clean and refined aesthetic for luxury paper carrier bags.

Twisted paper handles are a durable, cost-effective and fully recyclable option for custom paper carrier bags. Available in natural kraft or custom dyed colours, they offer strength while maintaining a sustainable profile.

Paper ribbon handles provide a premium, eco-friendly finish to retail carrier bags. Paper ribbons can also be custom dyed to match your brand colour, and are available in variety of widths.

Grosgrain ribbon handles provide a premium, luxury finish to paper carrier bags. Popular options include satin and herringbone finishes, all of which can be custom dyed to match your brand colour. Grosgrain ribbons  can also be custom printed with your branding or design for a highly refined, detail-led finish.

Rope handles offer a strong and high-quality feel, ideal for luxury retail packaging and bespoke paper bags. Available in natural cotton, polyester or paper rope, these handles can be produced in a wide range of standard colours or custom dyed to align with your brand.

Die-cut handles are created by cutting directly into the bag structure, offering a clean, minimal aesthetic often used in modern retail packaging. Reinforced or folded tops can be added to improve durability.

The deco base, or Japanese inverted base as it is sometimes referred to, removes the need for creasing or folding to one of the faces of the bag when folded flat. This style of gusset is best for paper carrier bags where a ‘clean look’ is required across both faces of the bag.

The standard gusset base is the most common style used for creating a lay-flat style of carrier bag. This format of base delivers a ‘clean look’ to one side of the bag, with a horizontal crease approx 70mm across the other face of the bag.

Gloss, silk and matt coated papers offer a smooth surface that enhances print clarity and colour vibrancy. These materials are ideal for printed paper carrier bags where strong branding and detailed graphics are required.

Uncoated paper stocks provide a natural, tactile finish while remaining fully recyclable. These materials are ideal for eco-friendly retail carrier bags and brands prioritising tactility and sustainability.

Coloured paper stocks offer a premium finish with inherent colour throughout the material. This reduces the need for heavy print coverage while delivering a refined aesthetic for bespoke paper bags and luxury shopping bags.

Custom paper options allow for complete creative control. Embossed textures, specialist finishes and bespoke colour matching can be developed to align perfectly with your brand identity, creating unique custom paper carrier bags.

FSC® certified and recycled paper stocks are a staple of sustainable retail packaging. These materials ensure responsible sourcing while maintaining the strength and quality required for luxury paper shopping bags and branded carrier bags.

Lithographic printing is ideal for high-quality, full-colour paper carrier bags. It delivers excellent detail and colour accuracy, making it perfect for printed paper shopping bags with complex designs. Litho printing becomes cost-effective MOQ’s from 500 units upwards.

Foil blocking adds a premium, luxury finish using metallic or pigment foils applied with a heated die. Available in a wide range of colours and finishes – including gold, silver and custom tones – this process enhances brand perception and visual impact for luxury retail bags.

Embossing creates a raised, three-dimensional effect by pressing artwork into the paper surface to make your design stand out. Debossing presses a design into the surface of the paper to create an indented, or sunken effect. Both are effective on bespoke carrier bags for logos and typography – particularly when also foil-blocked – adding subtle depth and tactility to your bag design.

Die cutting allows for custom shapes, cut-outs and structural details within paper carrier bags. This can be used to create distinctive shopping bag designs or enhance branding through unique visual features.

We can match your exact brand colours across custom retail carrier bags and printed paper shopping bags using litho or screen printing processes, ensuring consistency across your wider packaging range.

Ribbon ties add a luxury, tactile detail to retail carrier bags, enhancing presentation and reinforcing a premium brand feel.

Custom printed stickers can be used to seal or enhance retail bags, adding an additional branded touchpoint. Options include foil blocking, embossing or custom shapes. Stickers can be supplied individually or on rolls for efficient application.

Progress can produce custom tissue paper colour matched to your brand and printed with your design. Tissue adds protection while enhancing the unboxing experience, creating a more elevated retail moment inside your carrier bag.