Dieline

EVF93021

Paper Shopping Bag with Gusset Sides

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

Ships flat and pops open for retail loading
Folded top hem reinforces handle anchor points
Block bottom allows the bag to stand upright

About this product

This classic retail shopping bag features expandable side gussets, a flat block bottom, and a folded top hem that reinforces the handle holes. It ships flat to save space and pops open easily at the point of sale, standing upright for quick product loading.

Because it relies on flexible side creases rather than rigid corners, it is a strong fit for boutique retail, premium takeaway, and event packaging. The folded top edge doubles the material thickness where the handles anchor, reducing the risk of tear-out under normal retail loads.

Common uses

Boutique retail
Premium food takeaway
Event swag bags

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Materials and print

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Retail, Takeaway, and Event Uses

Boutique and Apparel Retail

The tall profile and expandable gussets easily accommodate clothing, accessories, and boxed cosmetics. The reinforced handle holes support rope or ribbon handles for a premium finish.

Premium Food Takeaway

The block bottom provides a flat, stable base for stacked food containers or bakery boxes, keeping items upright during transit from store to home.

Event and Promotional Kits

The flat-shipping format makes it easy to transport to trade shows or corporate events, where the bags can be quickly opened and filled with promotional items.

Gift and Specialty Packaging

For high-end gifts or specialty items, the bag offers a large print surface and supports premium finishes, creating a cohesive brand experience.

Retail and Promotional Contexts

High-Volume Retail Rollouts

For large retail programs, these bags are typically run on specialized bag-making equipment that forms the tube, seals the bottom, and inserts the handles in a continuous process.

Short-Run Event Packaging

For limited events or promotional kits, the bags can be produced on standard die-cutting equipment and hand-glued. This allows for customized print finishes, though manual handle insertion changes the packing labor.

Branded Merchandise Programs

The template scales easily, allowing brands to maintain a consistent look, hem style, and handle placement across multiple bag sizes for different product lines.

When to Consider a Rigid Carton

Shipping through parcel networks

This is an open-top carry bag, not a shipping container. If the product will be handled by mixed-carrier transit, a corrugated mailer or an enclosed folding carton provides the necessary outer protection.

Heavy or sharp industrial goods

Paper bags are sensitive to point loads and extreme weight. If you are packing heavy hardware or items that could pierce flexible side gussets, a rigid crash-lock or snap-bottom carton is a safer choice.

Handle, Material, and Production Choices

Board grade and grain direction

Folding Boxboard (FBB) offers excellent stiffness and print surfaces for high-end graphics, while Kraft paper provides a natural look and high flexibility. The paper grain should run horizontally around the bag to prevent the vertical gusset creases from cracking.

Handle insertion and hole spacing

Decide whether handles (rope, ribbon, or twisted paper) will be inserted automatically by the manufacturer or manually kitted later. Automated insertion relies on precise hole spacing to match the equipment's pitch.

Bottom seal strength

The weight capacity depends on the width of the bottom glue overlap and the adhesive used. Discuss the expected product weight so the correct glue pattern can be applied to the block bottom.

Print coverage and lamination

Heavy ink coverage or lamination can make the paper stiffer, which may require deeper scoring on the side gussets and diagonal bottom creases to ensure the bag still folds flat.

Adjusting the Bag Profile

Top hem depth for handle support

The fold-over top hem can be deepened to provide more reinforcement for heavier retail loads or to change the interior visual presentation when the bag is open.

Gusset width and bottom overlap

Expanding the side gussets increases the internal volume and widens the block bottom. The bottom flap overlap must be adjusted concurrently to ensure a secure glue seal.

Handle hole placement

The distance between the handle holes and their distance from the top edge can be adjusted to accommodate different handle loop sizes or automated insertion equipment.

Packing details

Bottom Sealing and Weight Capacity

The block bottom relies on overlapping glued flaps. The weight capacity depends entirely on the board grade, the glue pattern applied to these flaps, and the strength of the handle anchors. Heavy retail loads should always be physically tested.

Handle and Hem Variations

Die-Cut Handle Variations

If rope or ribbon handles are not desired, the top hem can be modified to feature a routed, die-cut handle hole instead of punched anchor points.

Additional notes

Run size and bag-making equipment

Paper bags are volume-sensitive. Large runs utilize specialized bag-making machines that form, glue, and finish the bag in one pass. Short runs may be cut on standard flatbed dies and hand-glued, which changes the unit economics.

FAQs

Do the bags come with handles already attached?

This depends on the production route and run size. High-volume orders often use automated equipment to insert twisted paper or rope handles during manufacturing. For shorter runs, handles are often threaded and knotted manually.

How much weight can the block bottom hold?

Weight capacity varies based on the paper material, the width of the bottom glue overlap, and the adhesive used. The folded top hem helps prevent the handles from tearing, but the bottom seal should be tested with your specific retail products.

How are these bags delivered to the store?

They are delivered completely flat. The side gussets fold inward, allowing the bags to be stacked densely in shipping cartons. Retail staff simply pull the sides apart to pop the bag open and flatten the bottom.

Can the inside of the bag be printed?

Yes, because the bag is printed as a flat sheet before folding and gluing, the interior panels can be printed. Keep in mind that the top hem folds inward, so the outside artwork will wrap over the top edge and be visible inside the rim.

Should I choose Kraft paper or Folding Boxboard (FBB)?

Kraft paper is highly flexible, cost-effective for high-volume bag making, and offers a natural aesthetic. FBB is thicker, stands up more rigidly on the counter, and supports premium finishes like foil stamping or high-gloss coatings.

Can we remove the top folded hem to save material?

Removing the hem is possible, but it leaves only a single layer of paper to support the handle holes. This increases the risk of the handles tearing through the paper when the bag is carried.

How does lamination affect the bag?

Lamination adds tear resistance and a premium finish, but it can make the paper stiffer. This means the side gussets and bottom creases may require deeper scoring to fold flat properly.

Can the bag hold moisture-sensitive items?

Standard paper bags absorb moisture, which weakens the bottom seal and handle anchors. If packing chilled food or items prone to condensation, discuss coated boards or inner liners.