Paper bags are not only a great way to allow your customers to carry their newly purchased items out of your store, but they are also a budget-friendly marketing opportunity. Offering them up at trade shows and conferences gives current – and potential -- customers a take-away that they can reuse.

When you are researching paper bags pricing and costs, the first step is to decide which types of paper bags you want to invest in. Here are some helpful ideas:

1. Look into paper pharmacy bags for uses beyond the drug counter for which they usually get used.

2. Purchase paper popcorn bags to not only hold the tasty treat, but to also advertise your goods and services.

3. Stock up on paper shopping bags in funky styles and colors to enhance your customer’s shopping experience.

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Get away from the ordinary with pharmacy paper bags

Suppliers call these small paper bags pharmacy bags, but their uses go far beyond the drug counter. These paper bags are the perfect size to use when customers buy little trinkets such as jewelry or figurines, and they are a unique giveaway at conferences and other events. Because they are of a simpler design than other paper shopping bags, they tend to cost less as well.

I recommend: If you are looking for small, imprinted paper pharmacy bags, then look no further than 4imprint who has them for prices that range from about 10 cents up to about 50 cents per bag, depending on quantity ordered. Motivators has these paper bags starting at around 20 cents a bag and going up to about 50 cents a bag.

Pique their interest with delicious treats served in custom popcorn paper bags

Catch their attention with popcorn bags. There is no better way to advertise your company than to put some popcorn in custom paper bags for people to carry around. It's an effective and very economical way to get customers to stop by your booth at trade shows and conventions.

I recommend: These paper bags for popcorn from Custom-printed-promotional.com start in price at around 20 cents and go up to 50 cents per piece. Franklin Awards has unique paper popcorn bags that range in price from about 20 cents up to around 50 cents.

Set yourself apart from the crowd with stylish paper bags for shopping

Every company can pack up their customer's purchases in a plain plastic bag. Set yourself apart from the crowd with unique and stylish paper bags in the latest colors. There are fun paper bags in all price ranges so you are sure to find some that fit your budget.

I recommend: ePromos is the place you should check out when you want paper shopping bags, from about 15 cents all the way up to around $1.50. Casad Promotional Products has many types and styles of bags to choose from in prices that run about 20 cents per bag all the way up to $12 a bag.

Paper bags are making a comeback in retail establishments, as customers see them as an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bags. These days, you probably want to at least give your customers the option of using paper, and it is easy to do. With choices such as grocery bags, handle bags, shopping bags and gift bags, finding the right bag for your business should be simple.

Before you begin looking for a paper bags directory, paper bags list or even paper bags information, take a minute to think about the products you sell and determine what type of bags you will need. Your choices can be broken down into these three categories:

1. Basic paper bags;

2. Paper shopping bags with handles;

3. Or specialty bags.

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Buy basic paper bags

If you're trying to find paper bags, begin your search with basic bags. These include grocery store bags, drug store bags and fast food restaurant bags. They come in a wide variety of sizes and strengths, so when placing your order, be sure to consider what the bags will hold.

I recommend: DM Packaging Company boasts the most complete line of bags in the bag-making industry. The company also has a line of environmentally friendly paper bags. POSpaper.com sells a wide variety of paper products, including paper bags. From the linked page, scroll down to see its large selection of paper grocery bags in different sizes and strengths.

Order paper bags with handles

Paper shopping bags with handles, popular with clothing retailers, are a great way to pack up everything your customers buy. These bags are often printed with your company's name and logo, giving your marketing efforts a boost every time a customer walks out carrying one of your paper bags.

I recommend: Duro Bag Manufacturing Company bills itself as the number one paper bag manufacturer in the world. The company's line of paper shopping bags come in a wide variety of cuts and styles. Uline Shipping Supplies has a line of custom-printed and plain bags available in several colors. The company promises fast shipping and low shipping costs.

Find the right specialty paper bags

If a basic bag or shopping bag doesn't fit your needs, turn to a paper bags provider that sells specialty bags. These include gift bags, bakery bags, wine bags and other bags in unusual shapes and colors.

I recommend: 4imprint sells 40 types of specialty paper bags, including popcorn bags and pharmacy bags. Premier Packaging offers specialty paper bags in a wide variety of sizes and colors.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You may want to order several different sizes of paper bags, so that your employees can fit the right bag to the customer's purchase. This way you won't waste money by using a large bag for the purchase of a small item.
• •  If you plan to order printed bags, be aware that often a paper bags provider will require you to order a minimum amount.

Paper bags are an ecologically friendly choice for your business to make in terms of post purchase packaging. As opposed to plastic bags, they are biodegradable if they are thrown away. Most paper bags can and are reused due to the quality and durability of the bags created in the industry today.

Paper bags come a wide variety of styles, types and sizes, and even within the realm of being socially responsible with your decision, you have even more choices to make. You can take your paper bag purchase one step further and buy bags that have been manufactured out of post-consumer recycled material as well.

When purchasing your paper bags, other things to take into consideration are what your branding message is as well. Do you want to invest the extra cost of having your logo included on the bag?

To find out even more about paper bags types and styles:

1. Look for flat paper bags for paper items such as stationery items and magazines.

2. Go with Kraft bags for bigger customer purchases.

3. Consider purchasing paper bags made out of recycled materials.

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Find flat paper bags for your customers

Use flat paper bags after sales of items such as greeting cards, post cards, magazines and other lightweight items.

I recommend: Purchase flat merchandise bags from Uline. Their bags have serrated ends and are easy-to-open. They are FDA approved, and they are available in the color black as well. Buy flat kraft bags from Stewart's Packaging. They also sell a wide variety of other paper bags, so be sure and check out their large selection.

Go for kraft paper bags for larger customer purchases

Kraft paper bags are an industry standard. Customize your bags with your company information.

I recommend: Buy brown kraft shopping bags from PAPER MART. They come twisted brown upright handles and are available with hot stamping. Check out the large selection of kraft bag colors that are offered by SHOPPINGBAGS.COM. This large selection of colored bags comes in three size choices.

Look at paper bags made from recycled materials to be even more eco-friendly

Consider paper bags made out of recycled post-consumer content to make a socially responsible decision for your company. It can help green your business image, and in turn add to your overall company branding.

I recommend: Take a look at the 100% recycled shopping bags sold through 1-800-GiftBox. This eco-friendly selection was made from 95% post-consumer and 5% post-industrial content. Ask about 100% Recycled Natural Kraft · 95% P.C. from TULSACK. There is no upcharge for this premium recycled natural kraft paper, so you can be eco-friendly for your clients at no additional cost.

Paper bags are a staple in businesses to package and store goods. Available in a plethora of types, styles and sizes, paper bags are an affordable, eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags. From kraft paper bags and reinforced paper bags to promotional paper bag products, paper bags exist to fulfill your needs at affordable prices to meet any budget.

Whether you are a paper bag supplier or use a variety of paper bags in your business, familiarize yourself with paper bags key terms to ensure you choose the best paper bags for your unique needs.

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Kraft or 'millinery' paper bags

Kraft paper bags, also referred to as 'millinery' paper bags, are made from heavy, rough brown paper. Standard grocery bags and paper bags used to wrap products are generally made from kraft paper.

I recommend: Devon International offers more information on kraft paper bags.

Promotional paper bags

Promotional paper bags are bags imprinted with a business name, logo or slogan. Promotional paper bags are a cost effective way to advertise a business or promotional event.

I recommend: Read about the advantages of promotional paper bags at epromos.com.

Reinforced paper bags

Reinforced paper bags have extra pleats to increase the strength of the paper bag. Often made with fiberglass material, reinforced paper bags resist tearing. Typical grocery bags are reinforced to withstand the extra weight of groceries.

I recommend: Aplasticbag.com shows examples of reinforced paper bags with the advantages of using reinforced paper bags for specific product needs.

Bakery paper bags

Bakery paper bags are resealable, lined bags constructed to keep food fresh and moisture-free. Bakery paper bags should meet USDA and FDA regulations.

I recommend: Paper Bag Manufacturers offers examples of the kinds of bakery paper bags available.

Paper bag weight

Paper bag weight refers to how heavy the paper is that makes the paper bag. Paper bag weight directly affects how much weight the paper bag can hold without tearing.

I recommend: An excerpt from The Handbook of Packaging Engineering offers a further explanation on paper bag weight.

Flat paper bags

Flat paper bags have bottoms that meet at a point. Flat paper bags are used to hold smaller objects that don't require an upright position, such as magazines, greeting cards or stationary products. They can be imprinted with your business name, logo or slogan for a customized look.

I recommend: Bags & Bows provides uses for flat paper bags.