A paper bag is often the last thing a shopper sees of your store. It's dragged down the sidewalk, used as a backrest at lunch, and wedged behind the front seat on the drive home. And that's a huge amount of free advertising for something many owners pick up in five minutes.

It takes a little more consideration to get your custom paper bags just right than it does to pick a size and a colour. Strength, finish, method of printing and budget all come into play. Here are the things to look for before you order.

For example, the lightest product in your store, not the average. A boutique scarf shop may be able to carry a lighter bag than a bottle store or homewares shop. Or how about the shape of the product. Large Items are to be placed in a deeper bag and larger items should have a wide gusset so the sides of the bag do not burst and bulge.

The simplest test, put a real product and a tape measure on paper and write the width, depth and height, and leave a little space on top. A bag that is packed too full appears cheap and too big makes your product look small.

Brown Kraft paper has a rustic, unassuming quality. White kraft performs better with colour printing. Art paper with a gloss coating has a clean, polished feel to it making it more suited for fashion, beauty and gifts. GSM is a measure of how thick your bag is, and depending on what you put in it, is how you might choose your thickness.

To give you an idea, lighter bags of around 120-150 GSM work well for takeaway or small items, while heavier retail products are probably best served by 170 GSM or more.

Broken at the handle, not the paper. Handles are much tougher than they look, and are cheap to use on lighter weight bags. Twisted paper handles are tough, cost-effective and work well. Flat paper handles look neat and work well with clothing or cafe orders.

Observe the handle. When a customer picks up a bag with one hand, you can see quite clearly whether there's a reinforcement patch in the top fold.

This is where the simple bag becomes a marketing tool. Custom printed paper bags can display a single logo, repeating pattern or a full colour design. Personalised paper bags can be used at events, gift stores and seasonal offers where a message or date makes the event special.

Simple and effective. On natural kraft a one colour printed logo works great, staying simple is the best option for cafes and small retailers using cheap custom paper bags with logo. For a statement on your paper bag with logo try a custom branded paper bag with a fully printed design but this will cost more per bag.

Some finishing options can alter the feel of your package in hand. Matt lamination has a subtle and soft feel. Gloss is more eye-catching and vibrant. Foil and spot gloss may add a sparkle of brilliance. Please note, plastic laminate is not always as easily recyclable so if sustainability is a key driver for your customer base, inquire about uncoated or water based coatings.

Whatever you decide, always have a digital proof first. A piece of paper can be very deceiving, so get a proof and you'll be able to spot mistakes before they end up on a thousand bags.

Unit prices decrease as you purchase more which is why wholesale custom paper bags look so attractive. However, an entire pallet of bags means storage, and your business might evolve within the span of a single year. Your best bet is buying what you will need for one or two seasons. Minimums do matter to small businesses. We offer a 50 piece minimum on custom printed boxes at The Custom Boxes Australia making it easy for a small new cafe, or market stall to try out a design without a big expense.

Production is typically 6 to 8 business days, and delivery is included in the price, and we can help you with your artwork setup.

The right bag fits your product, protects it and represents your company. Determine the weight and dimensions first, select the paper and handle to suit, have simple artwork, and purchase a quantity you can use. Just ask The Custom Boxes Australia for help with starting out talk about sizes, materials, artworks and we'll send you a quote with no obligation.

A quick discussion now can save you a lot of short changed bags down the line.

Q1: What paper is best for retail paper bags?

Kraft paper works for most stores because it is tough and holds print well. Coated art paper delivers a shinier and more luxurious finish for fashion or beauty.

Q2: How many custom paper bags can I buy at once?

That really depends on the supplier. For instance, The Custom Boxes Australia offers starting quantities of 50. This is suitable for small orders and as a trial run.

Q3: Is it possible to have my logo printed on paper bags?

Yes. Single colour printing is the lowest price, with full colour options should you wish to add a more bold appearance.

Q4: How long before printed paper bags will arrive?

Mostly it takes 6 to 8 business days to produce and the time to ship depends on destination.

Q5: Are paper bags green or recyclable?

Plain paper bags usually are. If it is important to you that your paper bag is easier to recycle ask about uncoated or water based finishes.