Custom Paper Lunch Bags

Paper Types and Strength

Brown kraft paper is the classic choice. It is strong, has a natural look that suits food, and takes one or two colour print very well. White kraft gives a cleaner surface for brighter artwork and full colour logos. Both come in different weights; a heavier paper holds a bottle of water or a large sandwich without the bottom sagging, while a lighter paper is fine for pastries and snacks.

If your lunches include anything greasy, such as sausage rolls or hot paninis, a grease-resistant paper or a greaseproof inner wrap stops oil marking the outside of the bag. Food-contact grade paper is available on request, and most businesses also wrap sandwiches separately before they go in the bag. Sandwiches wrapped before bagging often go in printed food wrapping paper.

Sizing a Bag to the Lunch

Lunch bags are described by their base and height. A small bag suits a pastry or a sandwich alone; a standard bag fits a sandwich, a packet of crisps and a piece of fruit; a large bag takes a drink bottle and a bigger meal. Measure the tallest item you pack, usually a drink bottle, and make sure the bag is tall enough to fold over above it.

Leave enough room for the fold. A bag that only just holds the contents cannot be closed neatly and tends to tear at the top. If you pack a mix of meal sizes, two bag sizes usually cover everything.

For event catering, consider how bags will be laid out. Bags with a wide base stand in rows on a table and are easy to label by name or dietary requirement.

Hot food changes the picture slightly: a wrapped toastie or panini releases steam, so a bag with a little extra room lets that escape rather than softening the paper. Rolls and loaves that need more length suit custom bread bags for bakeries.

Printing and Closing

Lunch bags are usually printed on one or both faces with a logo, a short message and perhaps a website or menu link. One or two colour print on kraft is economical and looks honest and appealing on food packaging. Full colour is possible on white kraft for brands with detailed artwork.

For closing, a printed sticker over the fold is the most popular option because it seals the bag, adds a second branding point and can carry information such as the contents, allergens or the customer's name. Printed paper bands or a simple fold and staple also work.

Think about where your logo lands once the top is folded. On a bag folded over twice, the top few centimetres disappear, so place the main logo in the middle of the face rather than near the top edge. A small secondary mark on the gusset is a nice touch that shows from the side when bags are lined up on a counter.

For allergens, a simple coding system on the seal sticker, such as a colour or letter for vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free lunches, saves staff opening bags to check and helps event guests find the right meal quickly. Our comparison of print options explains how spot colour and full colour differ.

Ordering Tips for Cafés and Caterers

Work out how many bags you use in a typical week and order enough to cover a few weeks, since storage space in a café kitchen is limited. Bags pack flat, so they take up far less space than boxes.

If you supply events, order a stock of a plain branded bag that works for any occasion, then add event-specific stickers. That keeps reorders simple and prevents waste when events change.

Bakeries running lunch deals often pair the bag with a printed paper napkin or a sticker that names the deal. It turns a simple bag into a recognisable offer and helps regulars ask for it by name.

Keep bags somewhere dry and away from the kitchen steam. Paper absorbs moisture from the air, and damp bags lose their stiffness and do not stand up as well when opened. Cafés that also sell hot food to go often stock branded takeaway paper bags in the same colours.

Quotes and Delivery

Share the bag size, paper type, print colours and quantity, and you will receive a custom quote by email within one working day. Minimums are low and quoted per job, so independent cafés can order without committing to a large run. Small printed bags start from £0.25 each.

A free design proof is sent before we print. Once you approve, we make the bags in 4–7 working days and send them with free tracked UK mainland delivery, usually 2–3 working days. If a delivery arrives with misprints or damage, tell us within 10 days and you will get a reprint or your money back. The rest of our food and takeaway packaging range can go on the same custom quote.