What Is Kraft Paper and Why It’s Used for Personalised Bags
Kraft paper is a technical material made using the Kraft process, which produces high-tensile fibre with a natural texture. It’s widely used in personalised bags due to its strength, versatility, and eco-friendly appearance — making it ideal for retail, boutique, and premium packaging.
At Arrosi, we collaborate with specialised Kraft paper manufacturers and supply twisted cord handles and complementary materials that ensure both technical and visual coherence in every packaging project. You can learn more in our article about the importance of paper cord in the handles of sustainable retail bags.
Virgin or Recycled Fibre: Two Options for the Same Goal
Kraft paper can be made from virgin or recycled fibres — each offering distinct advantages:
- Virgin fibre Kraft delivers superior mechanical strength at the same grammage, perfect for reusable personalised bags or those intended to carry heavier products.
- Recycled Kraft, on the other hand, offers better positioning in terms of marketing and sustainability by demonstrating environmental commitment without compromising visual quality.
Both types can be FSC® certified, ensuring responsible sourcing. At Arrosi, we help brands and personalised bag manufacturers select the best combination of fibre, weight, and finish for each final application.
Kraft Paper Finishes: Glossy, Ribbed or Natural
The surface finish of Kraft paper plays a key role in the tactile experience and visual perception of personalised bags:
- Glossy one-sided Kraft offers shine and sharpness, ideal for high-resolution printing.
- Ribbed finish adds elegant linear texture, perfect for an artisanal or boutique image.
With our background in crepe paper and specialty materials, Arrosi guides clients in selecting the most suitable finish for each design — integrating complementary materials such as twisted paper cord to ensure both aesthetic and functional coherence.
What Does Kraft Paper Weight Mean?
Grammage (g/m²) defines the paper’s weight and stiffness, affecting load capacity, structure, and appearance of the bag. Higher grammage papers are stronger and convey premium quality, while lower ones offer lightness and flexibility.
For personalised bags, Kraft paper typically ranges from 50 g/m² to 120 g/m², allowing for different formats, styles, and use cases.
Paper Weight Ranges and Common Uses
Lightweight Kraft Paper (50–70 g/m²)
Ideal for: small bags, inner wrapping, promotional campaigns
Benefits: light, flexible, low raw material consumption
Uses: accessory shops, cosmetics, stationery
Medium Kraft Paper (80–100 g/m²)
Ideal for: boutique bags, light fashion retail
Benefits: good balance of strength and flexibility
Uses: clothing stores, trade fairs, corporate packaging
This is the most popular range for personalised bags due to its competitive cost, printability, and sustainable image.
Heavy Kraft Paper (110–120 g/m²)
Ideal for: premium or reusable personalised bags
Benefits: stiffness, durability, supports special finishes
Uses: perfumeries, jewellery, luxury brands
This weight supports finishes like hot stamping, embossing, spot varnish, or partial lamination, delivering a refined and technical result.
Brown or White: Choosing the Right Colour
Colour also conveys brand values:
- Natural brown Kraft emphasises authenticity and sustainability.
- White Kraft projects cleanliness, minimalism, and visual contrast.
Both colours can be combined with different finishes and paper weights, allowing designers to find the right balance between visual identity and functional needs.
How to Choose the Right Weight for Your Personalised Bags
- Product weight: heavier items need higher grammage
- Bag size: larger formats require stiffer paper
- Intended use:
- Reusable → 110–120 g/m²
- Promotional → 70–90 g/m²
- Printing requirements: higher grammage supports stamping or UV varnish
- Brand image: recycled or natural Kraft reflects sustainability; glossy or white suggests exclusivity
At Arrosi, we provide technical advice on paper selection and supply twisted cord for handles, ensuring integration between material, weight, and finish in every design.
Practical Examples by Industry
Personalised Bags for Fashion Retail
80–90 g/m² Kraft: strong, flexible, natural — ideal for balancing design, cost, and sustainability.
Personalised Bags for Perfumeries and Boutiques
100–120 g/m² Kraft: rigid enough for premium finishes like embossing or glossy varnish.
Personalised Bags for Gift Shops
70–90 g/m² Kraft: lightweight and cost-effective, great for large print runs.
Personalised Bags for Premium Brands
110–120 g/m² Kraft: maximum thickness and presence, offering a sense of exclusivity and long-term durability.
FAQ on Kraft Paper for Personalised Bags
Can Kraft paper be virgin or recycled?
Yes. Both are used in personalised bags: virgin offers better strength, while recycled enhances the brand’s sustainable image.
What finishes can Kraft paper have?
Common options include one-sided glossy and ribbed finish — selected based on the intended look and printing process.
Does Arrosi manufacture Kraft paper?
No. Arrosi specialises in crepe paper and specialty papers, and supplies twisted cords for handles in personalised bags.
Where are Arrosi’s materials produced?
In our facilities in the Basque Country, where we develop sustainable technical materials for industrial and packaging use.
Arrosi: Specialists in Crepe Paper, Specialty Papers, and Technical Cord for Packaging
At Arrosi, we develop crepe paper and specialty papers for industrial, electrical, and packaging applications.
We also supply twisted cord handles and complementary materials that provide strength, visual coherence, and added value to the design of personalised bags.
Our commitment to sustainability, quality, and innovation allows us to work with manufacturers and brands looking to stand out with technically advanced and responsible packaging solutions.
Learn more at https://arrosi.com/en and discover how Arrosi can bring value to your personalised bags projects.
