If there is one thing that all businesses have in common, regardless of their sector of activity, it is the need to deliver the products they sell in perfect condition. Therefore, beyond packaging and containers, bags become an essential element.
While plastic bags were king for decades, the development of environmental awareness and the need to offer greener alternatives has led to the development of sustainable options using natural materials such as paper.
In our shopping guide you will discover the different types of paper bags that you can enjoy at Monouso. A selection specially designed for all types of businesses, taking into account their day-to-day life and the different uses for which they are going to be used. Paper bags with handles, without handles, with zip, SOS American Bottom, bakery bags, fruit bags, pastry bags, sandwich bags..
Our catalogue has more than 500 references: an all-round commitment to elegance, functionality, easy storage and, of course, recycling.
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why choose paper bags?
Beyond economic or aesthetic issues, choosing paper bags has a number of interesting advantages to take into account.
- They are recyclable and sustainable: made from much more natural materials, they give us the opportunity to collaborate in caring for the planet. They generate much less waste and can be disposed of very easily. Depending on their composition, in most cases it is sufficient to deposit them in the paper container to start the process of recycling and reusing their components.
- We contribute to the growth of forest mass: this is a commitment to nature, as we deal with raw materials from forests that are managed in a 100% controlled and environmentally friendly way. This greatly reduces the negative impact of logging, which can endanger the planet's biodiversity.
- We help to reduce and control climate change: the role of trees is essential in the implementation of protocols that reduce the negative effects of climate change. Therefore, the reforestation carried out by the paper industry is a boost to this objective, which is of increasing concern to citizens and governments.
- Wide variety of sizes: the versatility of its materials allows us to have multiple sizes that can be fully combined with each other and adapted to each of the needs that may arise when making sales in our business: bulky products, delivery, take away, catering..
- They are economical: their price is very reasonable and they are also a great way to reduce plastic consumption. And, as if that weren't enough, they allow your business to differentiate itself by giving an extra sense of commitment to nature and the environment.
- They represent an excellent opportunity to communicate your values: you can convey messages and personalise them in a simpler and cheaper way, which will complete your company's communication strategy.
Elements to take into account when choosing a paper bag
There are some general concepts and criteria which are shared by all paper bags and which are necessary to know in order to be able to better orientate our purchase.
Grammage
Grammage is defined as the grams per square metre of paper. For example, if a paper has a grammage of 150 g/m2, it means that each square metre of this material weighs 150 grams. But we must also take into account a related term, such as thickness (distance between the 2 sides that make up a paper). It therefore represents a way of measuring the strength of the bag.
Bellows
This is a fold that most bags contain and gives them greater depth. The gusset folds up for storage and opens when full. This little extra material makes these bags very versatile, greatly increasing their capacity. If you look at a paper bag in your business or home, you will be able to identify this structure and see how much it can be easily widened.
Width and height
On the one hand, the width refers to the horizontal length of the bag. That is, the length of the base of the bag. On the other hand, the height refers to the vertical length of the bag.
Types of paper bags
With handles, without handles, for bakery, for sandwiches, pastries, greengrocers... In our daily life we will find a multitude of types of bags, with their own use and purpose, which will help us to better manage deliveries in our business. Knowing them in depth gives us the opportunity to choose the best option with confidence.
We will distinguish them, therefore, by their structure and also by their application for each type of company. In addition, we must take into account the different types of laminates and finishes they can have, such as, for example, greaseproof laminate. In this case, it is a kind of film that covers the paper and prevents oily substances from penetrating, staining the hands or clothes of customers and causing discomfort.
here we go!
Paper bags with handles
At Monouso you can choose between two types of paper bags with handles: double curly handle and flat handle. Although they are useful for any type of business, we usually find the following division in their use:
- Double curly handle: usually reserved for fashion shops, department stores, sports shops, bookshops, events, promotional materials..
- Flat handle: preferred in the catering, take away and delivery sectors.
Our paper bags with handles are made from two different types of paper: plain paper and Hawanna paper (only a selection of the double curled handle bags). Hawanna paper is cellulose-free and is made from recycled paper, which gives it a less delicate feel, with small impurities that give it a special texture.
In fact, both can be 100% adapted to your needs. The choice, after all, is yours and only you know your customers well, right?
Moreover, you can find them in 7 different colours (the number varies depending on the type of model) and with a wide variety of weights, widths, gussets and heights. So, if you need it, you can have a thicker bag, a wider bag, a bag with more opening capacity or a larger bag.
| Colours | Weight | Can hold up to... | Width | Bellows | Height |
| White, fuchsia, Kraft, black, red, turquoise, green. | 80 g/m2 - 100 g/m2 | 9.5-10 kg | 18-46 cm | 9-22 cm | 23-49 cm |
In addition, most of these bags are Food Contact certified. Therefore, you can use them without any problems for transporting food.
Paper bags with double curly handle
- The double curled handle increases the strength of the bag and also improves the grip.
- They are reinforced on the inside: hold more weight without tearing.
- Say goodbye to accidents, tears and other mishaps.
Flat handle paper bags
- The grip of this bag is much more comfortable and fits the customer's hands more easily.
- They come in a wide variety of shapes.
- They are specially designed for catering services (especially catering), due to the width of their gusset.
- Their design is more attractive and eye-catching.
Paper bags without handles
Among the paper bags without handles we will find a large selection of formats, which will adapt 100% to what we need. White and Kraft colours are the protagonists of this assortment, which will surprise us with their versatility.
In addition, some of these bags can be used for different purposes, beyond the ones indicated in this guide. After all, our purpose is to guide you to find the product you need and after providing you with all the information you need to make the best purchase.
Among other advantages, we have some bags with greaseproof coating (PE laminate) and also some made of laid paper. Different touches that allow you to adjust to your practical and aesthetic needs.
Discover the different applications and types of paper bags without handles that we can offer you in our Monouso shop.
Bakery
These bags are one of the most popular and among which we will find the greatest diversity. They become, day by day, the perfect packaging for one of the most consumed and desired foods on the table at lunchtime: loaves of bread.
We can choose between different sizes of paper bags for bakery, adapted to the different products that can come out of our oven: village bread, Galician bread, wholemeal bread, pepito, water bread, baguette... Undoubtedly, different shapes and weights, which need specific and resistant bags.
You will protect the product during transport until it reaches its destination and you will avoid crushing, breakage and external contamination to a large extent.
In addition, some of the designs and models contain a window, which will allow you to display your product in a much more attractive way.
| Colours | Grammage | Can hold up to... | Width | Bellows | Height |
| White and kraft | 35 g/m2 - 36 g/m2 | 4 kg | 5-30 cm | 3-12 cm | 20-60 cm |
Sandwich
The king of snacks, lunches and fast food also deserves its own special bag, don't you think? So you can serve your home deliveries and take-aways with total convenience. These paper wrappers for sandwiches will improve their transport and avoid stains.
Open at the top or on one side, depending on the size and format of your food, you can combine them with their pleasant Kraft and white tones, which add a touch of naturalness that you will want to enjoy.
On the other hand, you can count on the sandwich bags, especially designed for preparations with more oil or fatty products. This way, you will prevent your customers' hands or clothes from getting stained during consumption, which will increase their feeling of comfort and satisfaction.
Viennese pastries
Pastry products are always closely related to take away in the majority of businesses that have them. That is to say, they are the ideal snack to satisfy your hunger when walking down the street or to enjoy a good breakfast, lunch or snack.
We will find different formats, with special characteristics, depending on the finishes with which we complete their great versatility.
You will find paper bags for pastries with a greaseproof finish, for oilier products. You can also choose bags with bakery designs, white, in Kraft colour... There is no doubt: it is the most hygienic, quickest and most economical way for your customers to take your products with them easily.
Hamburger
Having a greaseproof film is essential to offer the most complete service, avoid stains and discomfort when consuming your hamburger products. With our paper bags for hamburger you will find the ideal option to serve all the elements of your menu with total guarantee.
You will also be able to prevent the ingredients of the burger from spilling or moving, which would spoil the bite. All the extra safety at your fingertips!
Fruit shop
what could be more natural than paper to wrap and protect a product straight from the earth?
Count on quality paper bags for greengrocers when you trust Monouso. Dispatch your fruit and vegetables in a hygienic, safe and sustainable way. With them, you will keep your food in perfect condition throughout their transport. They are ideal for all kinds of orders and you can combine them, depending on your needs and sales methods.
| Colours | Grammage | They can support up to... | Width | Bellows | Height |
| White and kraft | 35 g/m2 - 50 g/m2 | 4-6 kg | 14-23 cm | 7-12 cm | 19-36 cm |
Doypack bags
Coffee, tea, nuts, sweets... Doypack bags are the ideal alternative for storing all kinds of foodstuffs, both on the shop floor and for sale. At Monouso you will find a whole selection of Doypack bags with an outer layer of Kraft paper and an inner PE lamination. This lamination provides a solid barrier against moisture and other external agents. Therefore, the products you store in them will be perfectly preserved, extending their shelf life.
| Colours | Grammage | They can hold up to... | Width | Bellows | Height |
| White and kraft | 50 g/m2 - 80 g/m2 | 6-9.5 kg | 9-25 cm | 6-12 cm | 20-35 cm |
SOS Bags
SOS paper bags have a self-opening system, which facilitates their use and adds a plus of comfort. They are very versatile, as we can find them in different presentations, suitable for each of the needs of your business. A wide variety that will allow you to enjoy all their advantages. We must not forget that this is a format that also avoids swaying during transport.
How to choose the right paper bag
Choosing the right paper bag can sometimes be tricky. Especially when we have just opened our business and are faced with the first orders and these kinds of decisions.
Among the variables that we must take into account, we highlight..
Type of business
As is logical, each business has different needs which, most probably, can be met and satisfied by our selection of paper bags. And, beyond the materials and coatings (and of course, the sizes), we must take into account the image we want to transmit. Although, of course, caring for the environment and promoting the sustainability of the planet will always be an added value for the vast majority of your customers.
Here are some examples of the types of bags you may need depending on your type of business...
- Fashion shops, accessories and bookshops: bags with curled handles because they are strong and have a good grip.
- Bars: bags with flat handles for delivery and take away.
- Cafeterias: paper bags for pastries and sandwiches. Both do not have handles. After all, they offer adequate protection, are not very heavy, but are strong enough.
- Burger shops: paper burger bags with greaseproof finish to avoid unwanted stains and to make your customers feel comfortable.
- Catering companies: paper bags with a flat handle are preferred by this type of business due to their easy grip and morphology. They have a slightly wider gusset, which allows them to hold larger containers.
- Pharmacies: small bags without handles of low grammage because the products they will hold are not too heavy and we have different sizes.
- Fruit and vegetable shops: with different sizes and a variety of designs, you will find the ideal bags for your business, resistant without being bulky.
We have a wide variety of designs, formats and sizes, which you can consult on our website and about which you can ask our Customer Service team any questions you may have.
Volume and size of the products
The volume and size of the products you sell in your business is probably so varied that you need to have a wide range of formats for their commercialisation. Although it may be tempting, it is essential to take into account the dimensions in order to offer the best bag option, facilitating transactions and customer convenience.
what type of businesses may need a wide variety of paper bag formats?
- Fashion shops: we have to take into account different variables (whether it is autumn-winter or spring-summer season, the different sales periods, special sales...) For example, we will not need the same type of bag to store a coat, a cape or a down jacket as to transport some socks, a headband or shorts.
- Hospitality: with many different sizes and a variety of services, multiple formats are essential. It depends on the type of delivery or take away we develop and the products on the menu. In the case of catering, for example, we will need bags with a large gusset, which can properly store large containers. On the other hand, for a sandwich delivery order, a small bag without handles will be more than enough. The important thing in this case is to adapt the bag to the product itself and to the combinations that we may need to sell in our business.
- Fruit and vegetable shops: it is not the same to sell pears as melons, is it? Fruit and vegetable shops have a sufficiently varied stock to need an arsenal of different bags to serve their customers. Keeping foodstuffs in optimum condition is essential. For example, for heavy fruit (such as a watermelon), we will need a large SOS bag, which has a sturdy bottom and in which we can put the rest of our purchase.
Therefore, the weight of the products and the grammage of the bags are closely related. That is to say, a higher grammage means a greater resistance to weight. Although our business may specialise in small products, they can be very heavy and a paper bag that is too thin may not be enough to hold them safely, causing breakages and tears in the bags, which would lose their usefulness completely. In short, it is very important to assess the weight of the different products.
Type of customers
The bags we use in our business can transmit a very specific image, which we must understand and take care of so that everything runs smoothly. Although the quality of any bag should be taken for granted, the appearance is really important. The location of our shop and the customers who visit us will undoubtedly determine the direction of our business, as we will have to attend to their needs correctly.
