Explore 10 Essential Paper Materials for Creating Custom Paper Bag
Discover 10 essential paper bag materials — from durable eco-friendly kraft paper to luxurious pearlescent and specialty papers — and find the perfect match to elevate your customized packaging and leave a lasting brand impression.
1,C2S Coated Paper
C2S coated paper features a smooth, high-gloss finish on both sides, making it ideal for premium retail shopping bags that demand vibrant color printing and a polished, refined look. It is commonly used to produce custom white paper bags with branded logos.
C1S coated paper, also known as ivory board, features a glossy finish on one side and an uncoated surface on the other. This material is commonly used for premium packaging and upscale retail shopping bags, offering excellent print quality and a refined appearance.
2,C1S Coated Paper
3,White kraft Paper
White kraft paper offers a clean, crisp appearance along with excellent strength and printability. While often associated with minimalist designs, it is far more versatile — when paired with full-color printing, soft cotton handles, and gold foil accents, white kraft paper can be transformed into a durable, high-end shopping bag that enhances both brand perception and customer experience.
Brown kraft paper is known for its natural appearance, strength, eco-friendliness, and cost-effectiveness. It is highly versatile in design — while it delivers a rustic and sustainable look ideal for takeout or grocery bags, it can also be elevated with clean printing and refined handles to create boutique-level packaging for premium retail.
4,Brown kraft Paper
5,Textured / Embossed Paper
Paper with a distinct surface pattern or texture gives it a unique look and feel compared to smooth paper.
Textured paper is favored for making branded paper shopping bags and luxury gift bag.
Black paper offers a bold, sophisticated backdrop that enhances the impact of contrasting design elements. It pairs exceptionally well with specialty finishes like foil stamping, embossing, and tone-on-tone logos — from subtle black-on-black to striking gold or white foil. Combined with luxury handle options such as satin ribbons, cotton ropes, and grosgrain, black paper bags bring a high-end, tactile experience. They are ideal for fashion, cosmetics, and jewelry brands looking to create packaging that feels both modern and timeless.
6,Black Paper
7,Metallic Paper
Metallic paper is a specialty material enhanced with a gold or silver foil layer, creating a reflective, eye-catching surface. Its distinctive shimmer makes it an excellent choice for crafting luxury paper gift bags and premium promotional packaging.
The grid-lined kraft paper is strong and durable, suitable for making oversized and heavy-bearing bags.
8,Grid Kraft Paper
9,Pearlescent Paper
Pearlescent paper features a subtle, shimmering surface that reflects light with elegance and softness. Its refined appearance adds visual depth and luxury to any paper bag. Compatible with gold and silver foil stamping, full-color printing, and delicate screen printing, this material is both versatile and expressive. When paired with colored knotted handles or satin ribbons, pearlescent paper bags offer a graceful balance of texture, color, and premium finish — making them an ideal choice for luxury gift packaging, bridal boutiques, and upscale cosmetics.
Color dyed paper is a specialty material in which pigment is infused directly into the fibers, resulting in rich, uniform color throughout — not just on the surface. This makes it an ideal choice for custom paper bags that require bold color expression, accurate brand color matching, or minimal printing.
Available in a wide variety of tones — including beige, orange, burgundy, brown, and navy — dyed paper supports both soft and vibrant brand aesthetics. It pairs especially well with foil stamping and screen printing, offering strong visual contrast while maintaining a refined, high-end finish.
Dyed paper bags are widely used in fashion, lifestyle, and gift packaging, and are particularly suited for brands that value color-driven design and tactile quality.
10,Color Dyed Paper
Not Sure Which Paper to Choose?
We’ve got you covered — check out our quick guide on how to pick the right paper bag material based on your brand, print style, and budget.
Read the Guide How to Choose the Right Paper Bag Material for Your Brand
Frequently Asked Questions
Most frequent questions and answers
What qualities should paper have to make durable and functional paper bags?
To make a good paper bag, the paper needs to be strong enough to carry things without tearing, but still flexible enough to fold and glue easily. Most bags use paper between 120gsm to 300gsm. It should also print well and feel nice to the touch. Basically, you want paper that looks good, holds up well, and works with your bag design.
What types of paper are used for different styles of paper bags?
Different bags call for different paper types.
- Kraft paper (white or brown) is great for sturdy, eco-friendly bags—like takeout or everyday use.
- Coated art paper works well for colorful, glossy retail bags.
- Specialty papers—like black, textured, or metallic—are used for luxury or boutique packaging.
It really depends on the look you’re going for and what kind of customer experience you want to create.
How do different paper materials affect the appearance and performance of a paper bag?
Paper choice can totally change the look and feel of a bag.
- A textured paper adds elegance and a premium vibe.
- A coated paper makes colors pop and feels smooth.
- Kraft paper gives off a natural, eco-friendly impression and is super tough.So yes—your paper choice isn’t just about strength, it also sets the tone for your brand.
What is the best paper material for eco-friendly paper bags?
If sustainability is your goal, brown kraft paper is a solid pick. It’s unbleached, recyclable, and has that raw, natural look. White kraft is also eco-friendly, just with a cleaner finish. For a greener choice, stick with FSC-certified paper and keep printing and lamination to a minimum.