Dieline

EVF93020

Two-Piece Paper Shopping Bag

Available in a wide range of custom configurations & material selection.
Order 1 sample. Or order 100K+ units. Or anything in between.
Affordable delivery across North America.
Design support, warehousing, testing, assembly available.
Widest machinery capability in America via 30+ specialist partner plants.

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Product details

Top highlights

Two-piece construction for efficient printing
Folded top hem reinforces handle holes
Glued block bottom for retail carrying

About this product

A premium retail shopping bag featuring side gussets, a glued block bottom, and a folded top hem to reinforce the handle holes. By constructing the bag from two identical halves, this template allows large retail bags to be printed and die-cut on standard press equipment without needing oversized sheet sizes.

Delivered flat with M-folded side gussets, it opens easily for store-floor loading and provides a smooth, uninterrupted main face for high-end retail graphics.

Common uses

Boutique apparel
Cosmetics and beauty
Event swag bags

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Gusset depth

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Materials and print

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Retail and Boutique Applications

Apparel and Boutique Retail

Provides a tall, stable presentation for clothing and accessories. The reinforced top hem prevents handle tear-out when carrying heavier garments.

Cosmetics and Beauty

The flat block bottom keeps bottles and boxed cosmetics upright during transit from the store to the customer's home.

Event and Promotional Swag

Ships flat in bulk and opens quickly for rapid loading at events, offering a large, uninterrupted print panel for branding.

Luxury Gifting

Offers a premium presentation for high-value items. The reinforced hem supports heavier gift items without tearing the handle cutouts.

Store-Floor and Event Handling

High-End Retail

The smooth main panels and hidden side seams support premium finishes like foil stamping, embossing, and high-gloss UV coatings.

Manual Store-Floor Setup

Delivered flat to retail locations. Staff simply pop the bag open; the pre-glued block bottom and side seams hold the shape while items are loaded.

High-Volume Print Runs

Because the template splits a large bag into two identical halves, it fits on standard press equipment, making large retail bags more practical to print.

When to Consider Alternative Bag Styles

E-commerce and Parcel Shipping

This is an open-top retail bag with no crush resistance. If the product will be shipped through a courier network, review a corrugated mailer or a sealed folding carton.

Very Small Retail Items

For small, lightweight items that do not need handles, a simple pinch-bottom or flat paper bag may be more practical than a reinforced handled bag.

Handle Hardware and Assembly Choices

Handle Selection and Hole Sizing

The diameter of the cutouts should match your chosen handle hardware, whether cotton rope, grosgrain ribbon, or twisted paper. The spacing between the holes can also be adjusted to change the handle loop profile.

Two-Piece Assembly Route

Because this bag is formed by joining two identical halves, it relies on either specialized bag-making folder-gluers or manual hand-assembly. This two-piece approach is efficient for printing large bags but should be discussed with your converter.

Base Reinforcement

For heavier retail items, consider whether a separate rigid base card should be dropped into the bottom of the bag after assembly to distribute weight evenly across the glued flaps.

Board Grade and Gusset Folds

Thick boards increase rigidity but raise the risk of cracking along the side gusset folds. Discuss scoring techniques and grain direction if a heavy board is preferred.

Adjusting the Hem and Gusset Proportions

Top Hem Depth

The top hem folds inward to double the material thickness around the handles. This depth can be extended if a deeper reinforced zone is needed for heavier loads.

Gusset Width

The side gussets determine the bag's depth. Expanding the gusset automatically adjusts the bottom flap overlap to ensure the block bottom seals correctly.

Handle Hole Spacing

The distance between the handle cutouts can be widened or narrowed to change how the handle loop presents and balances the carried load.

Packing details

Print Layout for the Top Hem

Because the top hem folds 180 degrees inward, the artwork for this section is usually printed on the reverse side of the board or inverted, depending on the converter layout.

Board Grain and Gusset Cracking

Heavy coatings or very thick boards can crack along the M-fold side gussets. Grain direction often runs parallel to the main vertical creases to maintain a clean appearance.

Additional notes

Gusset fold cracking

The side gussets act as hinges when the bag is folded flat. Heavy ink coverage or thick laminations in this area may crack during folding, so artwork is often kept minimal along these specific creases.

FAQs

Does this bag come with handles already attached?

The template provides the reinforced cutouts for handles, but the physical handles (rope, ribbon, or twisted paper) are sourced and inserted separately, either by hand or by specialized machinery.

Why is this bag made from two pieces instead of one?

A single-piece template for a large shopping bag often exceeds the size limits of standard printing presses and die-cutters. Splitting the bag into two identical halves allows for efficient manufacturing of large retail bags.

How much weight can the bottom hold?

The block bottom is formed by overlapping and gluing the base flaps. The weight capacity depends entirely on the paperboard grade, the adhesive used, and whether a rigid base card is inserted. Heavy items should be tested with a physical prototype.

Can the inside of the bag be printed?

Yes, but keep in mind that the top hem folds inward. Even on a bag printed only on the outside, the hem area is usually printed so that it shows the correct color or pattern once folded inside.

How are these bags delivered to stores?

The bags are glued and folded flat (knocked down) at the factory. They ship in dense stacks and are popped open by retail staff as needed.

Can I use a very thick board for a premium feel?

Thicker boards increase rigidity but also increase the risk of the paper cracking along the side gusset folds. If a heavy board is required, discuss scoring techniques and grain direction with your converter.

Do I need a separate base card?

A rigid base card is optional. It helps distribute the weight of heavier items across the glued bottom flaps, preventing the base from sagging.

Can the handle hole size be changed?

Yes, the cutout diameter can be adjusted to fit specific rope, ribbon, or twisted paper hardware.