When it comes to takeout, catering, and grab-and-go orders, the humble brown paper bag is a critical part of the customer experience. Choosing the right to-go brown bag isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about functionality, sustainability, and brand perception. Whether you’re a restaurant, bakery, grocery store, or convenience shop, the right bag makes all the difference.
With competitive price and timely delivery, Huafeng sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about selecting the best brown bag for your operation—from sizing and strength to handles and eco-friendly options.
To-go brown bags are more than just packaging—they’re part of your service. A bag that’s too small, tears easily, or can’t hold its shape reflects poorly on your business. On the other hand, the right bag:
Ensures Customer Convenience
The right brown bag keeps food secure during transport. It helps prevent spills, leaks, and temperature loss, so your customers enjoy their meals the way you intended—fresh, intact, and delicious.
Enhances Brand Image | First Impressions Count
A high-quality, well-constructed bag communicates professionalism and care. Whether you’re handing off a sandwich or a full dinner order, the bag it’s in reflects the quality of your food and your brand’s attention to detail.
Supports Sustainability Goals
Today’s consumers care deeply about environmental impact. Offering recyclable, compostable, or bags made with post-consumer recycled content shows that your business is aligned with eco-friendly values—and that matters to your customers.
Protects Your Food and Your Customers
From greasy takeout boxes to stacked containers, the right brown bag needs to hold up under pressure. A strong, tear-resistant bag ensures your orders make it safely from your counter to your customer’s hands—without disaster along the way.
To select the right brown paper bag, there are numerous features you must consider. Certain features will be better suited for your specific business’ needs than others, so it’s important to give thought to each detail.
The size of your to-go bag may be the easiest feature to determine. The size and amount of product you are selling will directly affect which size bag you may need.
Brown bags come in a wide variety of sizes, and choosing the correct one depends on your specific application. In general, choose a size that comfortably fits your menu items without overcrowding or excessive empty space.
Here’s a quick guide:
Pro Tip: Always test your most common order types in different bag sizes before making a bulk purchase.
Not all brown paper bags are created equal when it comes to strength. Bags have different basis weights, typically ranging from 30 to 70 pounds, indicating how much weight they can hold.
✅ Tip: Consider reinforced bottoms or double-ply bags for heavier loads.
The substrate refers to the raw material the bag is made from.
Before discussing further features of brown to-go bags, it’s important to understand what the bags are made out of. Paper bags are not made out of normal pieces of paper. Instead, they are made from a mixture called Kraft paper.
Kraft paper is a rough and more durable type of paper that is manufactured from wood chips. The wood chips are mixed with water, lye, and sodium sulfide in a procedure called the Kraft process and heated to a high temperature.
Once the wood chips are broken down into pulpy fibers, they are strained, separated, bleached, and washed before being allowed to dry on a flat surface. After they are done drying, the wood chips have become the rough brown paper bags we are familiar with.
While most brown bags are made from kraft paper, but not all kraft papers are the same.
The largest complication with brown paper bags is their strength–or lack thereof. After all, you can’t have your bags tear as your customers walk out with your product. Therefore, it’s important to choose a bag that will be able to support the weight of your product.
Brown paper bags are typically rated based on their “basis weight,” which is a measure of the paper’s thickness and density. This is usually indicated by a pound number (like 10#), with the higher the number, the stronger and heavier the bag can hold.
Another way to measure paper density is through asking about the grammage of the brown paper bag you plan on buying. The grammage is just a measure of how dense the bag is per square meter. And in some cases, manufacturers will represent grammage in density per 500 sheets.
Beyond just the weight rating, how the bag is constructed makes a difference:
Bags with handles are usually made from twine, thin rope, or flat pieces of paper. Manufacturers simply take a piece of cordage, fold the paper over it, and glue the whole thing into place.
The convenience of a paper bag with handles makes it convenient for most businesses, from retail shopping, carrying gifts, and packaging food.
Gusseted paper bags simply means that the bag has four sides instead of two. It’s a feature that reinforces the bottom or sides of the bag to provide additional strength and support.
Sometimes extra paper is used as reinforcement, which makes these bags easily identifiable due to their added thickness. The added strength from the gusset allows the bag to have a greater carrying volume, and if the gusset is placed on the bottom of the bag–known as a box bottom–it will be able to sit upright on its own on a flat surface.
This makes a to-go bag with a gusset feature favorable for food product packaging, gardening, craft, and hardware items.
Marked as the classic brown paper bag , this feature is most recognized as the bag that schoolchildren would take their lunch to school in. The larger version is normally found at grocery stores due to its large volume.
Bags with this feature are very plain and not the most durable, but they offer a cheap and workable solution for businesses that either don’t need or can’t afford more heavy-duty bags.
A bag featuring a pinch-bottom can stand on its own when filled. They come in small and large sizes, with each size being used for different products.
Bakery bags can also come with windows so that the customer can see the product and make a judgement based on its looks. Other bakery bags have tape options for security delivery purposes which may be desirable for businesses shipping their baked goods.
However, there are pinch bottom bags that do not have a gusset, meaning that there are only two sides to the bag. For example, if you purchased a greeting/holiday card there is no need for a gusset, meaning that the bag would only have two sides (more like a front and a back). These types of bags are called “card bags”, but they also used to be called millinery bags as well.
More consumers are looking for sustainable packaging. Your choice of to-go bag can reflect your business’s environmental commitment. Brown paper bags are biodegradable, recyclable, and reusable, meaning that they naturally break down over time, which reduces waste and pollution.
Look for bags that are:
However, its important to note that brown to-go bags are not the perfect green solution either. There are still negative environmental impacts that brown bags create that need to be considered:
Paper bags made from recycled fiber still require more fossil fuels to produce and manufacture than plastic bags.
If to-go bags get wet, they lose strength and can tear. To avoid torn bags, many people “double-bag.” Double-bagging increases the amount of paper bags you will need to purchase, and it increases the amount of paper waste.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of custom white kraft paper popcorn bag. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
In some areas, bans will require the businesses to charge (typically $0.10) to the consumer for the use of paper bags.
Paper bags are heavier than single-use plastic bags, and their heavier weight increases transportation costs, gas emissions, and waste disposal weight.
Pro Tip: To be accepted under most local legislation, paper bags must contain at least 40% post consumer recycled content and can not contain any old growth fiber.
Brown paper bags can be more than functional—they can be branded billboards. Custom printing lets you:
Selecting the right to-go brown bag is about more than just function–it’s a reflection of your business’s quality, efficiency, and values. By considering size, strength, sustainability, and customization, you can ensure your customers have a seamless experience, boosting both satisfaction and loyalty.
For something so simple, brown paper bags still maintain the ability to greatly affect your business and provide for your business’ needs.
Whether you’re located in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the Caribbean, Imperial Dade can help you select the right brown to-go bag or an alternative for your business based on your budget, needs, and goals.
If you are not sure about which brown bag is the right option for you or how an improper brown bag may affect your operation let an Imperial Dade specialist help. Moving away from single-use plastic bags is important for the environment, and important for your business.
Selecting the best popcorn bag is about balancing convenience with sustainability. Opt for bags with minimal chemical coatings to ensure a healthier snack. Consider reusable options to reduce waste. Look for bags that evenly distribute heat for perfect popping. Want to make movie nights both eco-friendly and delicious? Discover how the right popcorn bag can elevate your snacking experience.
The best way to choose a popcorn bag to meet your specific needs is to consider factors such as durability and sizing. There are a number of different types of popcorn bags, and rigid tubs are an option as well, so the way you plan to use them should have a significant impact on your choice. Simple paper bags are sufficient if you use an air popper without applying any butter or oil, and can actually be used to make popcorn in a microwave as well. If you do apply butter or oil to your popcorn, then you will want to choose a popcorn bag or tub that has a protective waxy coating. The sizing of a popcorn bag can be important as well, and if you are in the business of selling popcorn, you should keep several different sizes on hand.
Popcorn bags are commonly used to serve popcorn at events, and sell it in venues such as movie theaters, though they can also be used at home. The best type of popcorn bag can vary from one situation to another, so it is important to consider your needs when making a choice. If you are looking for a bag that you can use to prepare popcorn in a microwave, then plain, brown paper bags are an inexpensive choice. These bags are also good for serving popcorn at home if you avoid using oil and butter. If you do like to use oil, or need popcorn bags for your business, then you should look for a more durable option.
For commercial operations, and any time you are serving popcorn to the public, you will want to look for bags that will not allow oil to soak through. Paper popcorn bags that have been treated with a wax coating are good for this purpose, though popcorn tubs are another popular option. Bags are typically easier to store and dispose of than tubs, since the paper tends to be thinner. They are also typically less expensive, though tubs tend to be more resilient. Another option is known as a pop-open tub, which is a type of bag that consists of flat cardstock that can be popped open into a rectangular tub.
In addition to durability, you should also consider sizing when choosing the best popcorn bag. If you are just serving popcorn at home, then bags that hold about four or five cups are a good single serving size. For promotional purposes that involve giving away popcorn for free, bags that are smaller than this are usually a better idea. If you are in the business of selling popcorn, then you will typically want to obtain a number of different sizes, from small four cup bags to tubs that hold several quarts.
Introduction:
Who doesn’t like the aromatic smell of the popcorns while watching a movie? The crunch, the smell, yummiest tastes complete the enjoyment of the movie. Without popcorn, a movie always seems incomplete. What on earth is better than sharing your popcorn with your loved ones? As Charles & Schulz said:
“Love is sharing your popcorn”
Movie theaters with different flavors of popcorns at the counter make the movie more interesting. You never know where the whole bag of popcorns went when the movie ends.
“We can pull up our folding chairs, eat popcorn and watch the show” -Kevin Spillane
If you are planning a movie night at your home with the boxed set of fight club with your friends you need to go to the nearest store and buy a bag of popcorns which actually does not taste like theatre’s counter popcorns or freshly cooked popcorns but is still much better than having no popcorn movie night which can be disastrous.
As we know that popcorns are the most snacking treat around the world so this treat also requires packaging that holds it and saves it from getting soggy.
Popcorn boxes:
Popcorn boxes are made to secure and hold popcorns in theaters, carnivals or at home while enjoying a movie. These popcorn boxes have grown as business cards which act as a treat for children as well as seniors. Either making popcorns at home or buying them from theater counter these boxes always works wonders and never disappoint with their designs as there are a number of designs and styles available in these boxes which attract the kids as well as the youngsters.
Popcorn boxes come in various shapes and sizes depending on a number of popcorns you want to add to them according to your appetite. Some boxes hold .75 ounces while the other holds up to 3.3 ounces’ popcorns per box. Similarly, the design of popcorn boxes is also different. For example, if you are throwing a party for your child, you will focus on popcorn boxes which have some cartoon characters printed on them. Many popcorn boxes are made from recycled cartons which can be recycled again and again to make them eco-friendly.
Popcorn boxes also have a lining in them that ensures that flavors mixed in the popcorns don’t make the box sturdier or softer which is not easy to hold. Wholesale popcorn boxes are also available in the market, which is used for small parties and functions.
Custom popcorn boxes:
Popcorn boxes can be obtained from any nearby store from your house. You can also personalize these boxes by using some creativity in order to make them more delightful. Customizing popcorn boxes ensure that you are totally enjoying your popcorns and none of your hard work goes into the waste. Buying these boxes can cost you more than making your own custom printed popcorn boxes. You can personalize them according to the theme you are planning for your party. You can make these designs based on the theme of your party available on various software online and then can print on your boxes. These printings not only give a personal touch to your boxes but also add a touch of hard work and sincerity you are incorporating in the party.
For a kid’s party, you can include your children to make these boxes for you and convert it into a fun project. Either you can make your own template or you can borrow from the internet. For a party where adults and teenagers are involved, you can add handles, loops, different shapes in your designs. Similarly, you can add color to these boxes which can add to the ambiance of the party.
In the same way, Popcorns have different types of packaging as well.
Types of Popcorn packaging:
Popcorn boxes:
This is the most famous and commonly used popcorn packaging. You can have these boxes while buying popcorns for movies in theaters. Use of popcorn boxes in theaters started in mid-. These boxes are high in quality and are disposable. Further, they can be recycled for future use. These printed popcorn boxes have beautiful prints and posters on them which are fun to hold and utilize. You can also take these boxes home and can cut out these prints to use them in your scrapbooks. These boxes are made from lightweight cardboard. They are usually tall and open from the top. The Sizes of these boxes can vary.
Popcorn tins:
These containers are more durable than popcorn bags and plastic boxes. While using this type of containers make sure to use stainless steel containers as they will be rust resistant.
Popcorn paper bags:
These paper bags are the oldest popcorn container found. Locally the popcorns were sold in these bags at large scale. In carnivals vendors used to sell popcorns in these bags. Still, in some areas popcorns are sold in these bags. These bags can hold up to 2 ounces of popcorns. Paper popcorn bags are still found today as they create less waste and can be recycled. These bags are eco-friendly and are durable for short time usage. They are easy to carry and can be disposed of easily. These bags work for small parties where kids are involved. These bags also work as goodie bags for children.
Popcorn buckets:
Popcorn buckets are also known as popcorn tubs. This type of packaging is used when you have a large number of people for a party. They are much stronger than popcorn boxes as they are made out of thick paper. These buckets also have different sizes with varying capacities for popcorns. Popcorn bags were banned from theaters as they make too much noise which disturbs the audience. In addition, for people who love this snack much more than normal people or if you are going to a theater to watch a movie with a large group you can go for popcorn buckets.
Now that you know all about types of packaging for popcorns you should buy these for your future parties. Make sure you buy more of them as nobody wants to leave this scrumptious snack leaving in the bucket.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit packaging for microwave popcorn.