What Types of Paper/Cardboard Are Recommended for Making Shopping Bags

High-end shopping bags are typically made from premium and durable materials that not only look appealing but also provide a lasting impression to the customers. Some of the materials commonly used to create high-end shopping bags are:

1. Art Paper: High-end shopping bags often use thick and glossy coated art paper, which has a smooth surface and provides a stunning printing quality, allowing the brand to showcase their artwork in the best possible way.

2. Textured Paper: For a more tactile and luxurious feel, brands may opt for specialized paper with a grainy or textured finish. Textured papers can add an element of sophistication to the shopping bag design and evoke a sense of premium quality.

3. Fabric: Some high-end shopping bags use materials such as silk, cotton twill, or canvas to create a more premium and durable bag. These materials are often used for high-end fashion brands or designer stores that want to blend fashion and function.

4. Leather: For a truly upscale and luxurious shopping bag, leather is sometimes used. Leather shopping bags often have embossed branding and provide a high-end look and feel.

5. Recyclable Materials: Many high-end brands are now opting for sustainable and eco-friendly materials such as recycled paper or biodegradable plastics to create their shopping bags. This approach highlights the brand’s commitment to sustainability and resonates with consumers who care about the environment.

Today we want to introduce two types of cardboard which are getting popular to make high-end shopping bag for eco-friendly purposes.

Recommendation 1: Kraft Paper

Paper shopping bags are commonly made from kraft paper, which is a type of strong paper that is produced using the kraft process. This process involves treating wood chips with a mixture of chemicals that breaks down the lignin in the wood and separates the cellulose fibers. The resulting pulp is then used to produce kraft paper, which is known for its strength and durability. Additionally, some paper shopping bags may be coated with a layer of plastic to increase their resistance to moisture.

kraft paper bag

The quality of kraft paper depends on various factors such as grammage (weight per unit area), fiber content, and strength properties. Generally, higher grammage papers are stronger and more durable than lower grammage papers. Also, kraft papers made from long fibers (like those from pine trees) tend to be stronger than those made from shorter fibers.

Kraft board is not only brown color, there are more options for making shopping bags, such as golden, natural white, high white.

When considering the quality of kraft paper for shopping bags specifically, a few key factors to look for would be:

1. Basis weight: For shopping bags, a basis weight of at least 100 g/m² is recommended.

2. Bursting strength: This measures the ability of the paper to resist rupture, and higher values indicate greater strength. A good quality kraft paper for shopping bags should have at least 70 kPa of bursting strength.

3. Tear strength: This measures the ability of the paper to resist tearing, and higher values indicate greater strength. A good quality kraft paper for shopping bags should have at least 5000 mN of tear strength.

  • Ply strength: This is the combined strength of all layers in the paper, and higher values indicate greater strength. A good quality kraft paper for shopping bags should have at least 3000 N/m of ply strength.
  • Kraft cardboard is considered an eco-friendly material due to its sustainable sourcing and biodegradable nature. Kraft cardboard is made from the pulp of softwood trees such as pine and spruce, which are fast-growing and widely available. These trees are typically harvested from responsibly managed forests, ensuring that the production of kraft cardboard has a minimal impact on the environment.

Kraft cardboard is also biodegradable, which means it breaks down over time when exposed to natural elements, making it a better choice for the environment compared to non-biodegradable materials.

In addition, kraft cardboard is often used in eco-friendly packaging and products, including shopping bags, shipping boxes, and food packaging. Due to its eco-friendly properties, many companies are choosing kraft cardboard for their packaging needs to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers who prefer sustainable and biodegradable materials.

It’s important to note that while kraft cardboard is eco-friendly, the manufacturing process still uses energy and natural resources. However, compared to other types of cardboard, kraft cardboard is considered to have a lower environmental impact.

Some examples of high-quality kraft papers for shopping bags include those made from virgin pulp (rather than recycled pulp) and those with a higher basis weight or treated for greater strength. It is best to consult with paper suppliers or manufacturers for specific recommendations on the best quality kraft paper for your needs.

Recommendation 2: Premium GC1 cardboard

GC1 cardboard is a high-quality, single-layer cardboard that is often used for premium packaging, such as packaging for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods. It is characterized by its high whiteness, smooth surface, and excellent printing properties, which make it a popular choice for high-end packaging that requires high-quality graphics and designs.

GC1 premium cardboard

While it is possible to produce shopping bags from GC1 cardboard, it is also a choice.

That being said, there may be some specialized applications where GC1 cardboard could be an appropriate choice for shopping bag production. For example, a luxury brand may use GC1 cardboard for their high-end shopping bags to create a premium look and feel. But which request a high quality GC1 cardboard with high stiffness.

Many well-known brands have adopted the use of high-quality paper shopping bags for eco-friendly purposes. Some examples include:

1. Apple: Apple uses sturdy, white shopping bags with a minimalist design made from 80% recycled fibers and printed with soy-based inks.

2. Patagonia: Patagonia’s shopping bags are made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper and are printed with environmentally friendly water-based inks.

3. Whole Foods: Whole Foods uses brown kraft paper shopping bags made from 100% recycled paper and printed with soy-based inks.

4. Lululemon: Lululemon’s shopping bags are made from FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) kraft paper and printed using water-based inks.

5. Levi’s: Levi’s uses kraft paper shopping bags made from FSC-certified paper and printed with water-based inks.

These are just a few examples of well-known brands that are using high-quality paper shopping bags for eco-friendly purposes. Many other brands are also making the switch to eco-friendly materials and packaging, as consumer awareness and demand for sustainable products continue to grow.

If you still have question about choosing a proper cardboard for your shopping bag or other product, please feel free to contact us for further details. Our sales person is ready to answer all your questions. Email: sales@holapaper.com

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