Kraft paper bags are a great way to reduce waste and help the environment. They come in many different colors and designs and can be used for various purposes. From grocery shopping to wrapping presents, Kraft paper bags are perfect for any occasion.
They can be used for carrying food and other materials and are also great for storing products. It is also made up of high-quality paper and lightweight materials that are very safe to use.
You must know about paper vs. plastic bags’ pros and cons for you to have a much-guided decision when it comes to choosing the best shopping bags or packaging for your business.
History of Kraft Paper Bags
Nothing popped out of nowhere, and it has almost perfect design or characteristics. Everything has a history for itself, just like the kraft paper bags.
Paper bags started as simply designed and large envelope-looking packaging. It came about in 1852 when Francis Wolle created the first-ever machinery to mass-produce paper bags, with the most significant help from his efforts. Such a creation paved the way for paper bags.
Throughout the later years, while Wolle maintained the popularity of his paper bag, some noticed that his design was not convenient enough for its role—to act as packaging for various items. His plan’s interior space is narrow and not durable enough to hold more important things. That is when James Baldwin (1853) received a patent for his semi-mechanized machine for making square-bottomed paper bags. However, in 1868, Margaret Knight thought much deeper than the latter and built a fully automated machine that cuts, folds, and glues the flat-bottomed paper bags into one.
After a long time, in 1883, another paper bag design development arose. Charles Stillwell’s creation filled the gaps between the old paper bag design and the modern design present today. He could discern the importance of the pleated sides of a paper bag, so he built his creation known as “Self-opening sacks, or S.O.S. bag.” Its feature is that it is foldable and easier to store because of its pleated sides.
Furthermore, in 1918, the two sisters, Lydia and Walter Deubener, came up with another idea to improve the previous designs. They punched holes into the sides of paper bags and attached strings or ropes, which functioned as handles. Such a creation is a giant leap toward paper packaging like kraft paper bags with rope handles.
As time went by and as giving back to the Earth using environment-friendly products became a thing, kraft paper shopping bags were produced. It started in 1908 when the first kraft paper bag was born in the United States, composed of recycled materials or some fast-growing plants with fiber. Then, since 1915, kraft paper packaging or bags and other types with handles have become the standard for various stores up until now.
How Kraft Paper Bags are Made
Kraft paper bags have always been a sought-after product since the olden times. Its function is to be an excellent alternative to plastic packaging and contribute to environmental sustainability. Hence, it is normal to have people curious about how it is made.
Many people even buy wholesale kraft paper bags for their businesses. The following are some ideas about how complex these simple-looking paper bags are.
Rather than the usual processes of making kraft paper, like boiling, bleaching, and pressing chunks of wood pulp, kraft paper bag suppliers apply more techniques. Since the term “kraft” means “strength” or “resistance,” the process must comply with such a meaning. Thus, the process starts with harvesting good wood from the manufacturers’ plantations—an essential factor of paper bag manufacturing, which must be checked to not contribute to deforestation—or sometimes, rather than wood, sugarcane is used since it also has a good amount of fiber that is a factor for the kraft paper resistance. These woods are then converted into wood chips and passed through the wood pulping procedure. In contrast, wood chips are boiled, and some chemicals like sodium sulfide and sodium hydroxide are added to finish the process faster.
Subsequently, unbleached kraft paper, which is used for making brown kraft paper bags, is made. At the same time, some manufacturers produce light-colored ones by bleaching the pulp.
The filtering and washing process is then applied to remove significant impurities and delicate pieces of wood pulp necessary to produce durable paper bags. Next is pressing into flat sheets and drying the pulp to make the actual kraft paper.
The last process is where the cutting, folding and gluing of kraft paper into the particular design of paper bags happen. When all these steps are done, a good number of bulk kraft paper bags may be produced with their excellent design and characteristics like durability. Then manufacturers may add handles and windows depending on their preferred product designs.
Different Types of Kraft Paper Bags
Various kraft paper bags are made available these days, especially for contributing to environmental sustainability. These are made of paper, but their durability and versatility were never neglected by every manufacturing company, just like the Bagitan Packaging. Below are some of its types:
Classic Brown Kraft Paper Bags
The brown kraft paper bags are the most popular bag type. They are durable, versatile, and perfect for containing various dry goods or items such as groceries, ornaments, candies, and more. Some brown kraft paper bags with handles for a better transporting experience, whereas various handles such as twisted, flat, and die cut are available.
Paper Bags for Snacks and Bread
This paper bag is somewhat just like brown kraft paper bags. However, some are “V” pinch-bottomed, usually used for checkouts and small goods such as books, cards, and candies. It is also what came from the idea of Francis Wolle in 1852.
Also included in this type are the “baguette paper bags,” specialized kraft paper bags with windows. Such variety is best for showing off the delicious look of baguette bread or the others. It can attract the eyes of every possible customer in the area.
Custom Printed Paper Bags
Some paper bags are custom printed to satisfy the preferences of the client. While printing on it, its durability and eco-friendliness are still being considered. Clients usually order this type of paper bag for the instant advertisement of their business.
Air / Motion Sickness Paper Bags
Air sickness paper bags are best for clients such as travel agencies, bus companies, and airlines. With this type, the customers will never worry during tough times in their seats. There is no doubt that airsick bags are a lifesaver. It is specially designed to contain vomit and maintain the cleanliness of the passenger seat.
Advantages of using Kraft Paper Bags
Kraft paper bags are not only used as an alternative to plastic bags. Of course, it is used for that, but its purpose does not end at that. There are various advantages of using such paper bags, including:
Eco-friendly
Its eco-friendliness. Because kraft papers are made of wood and fast-growing fiber-rich plants like sugar cane, they are recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable. While making kraft papers, manufacturers ensure not to contribute to deforestation by having wood plantations where they can manage their planted trees.
Easier To Make
It is also easier to make than plastic packaging. It does not require much more chemical processing than plastic manufacturing.
Cheaper
It is cheaper. As kraft paper packaging does not require many chemical procedures and may be made even with recycled materials, manufacturers will not be burdened with high-cost procedures. This will also result in a lower market price of the actual kraft paper packaging products.
Very Versatile
Furthermore, it is almost as versatile as plastic packaging. It may carry different dry products from markets or department stores. Some even produce kraft paper bags with handles for better transporting experiences for the business’ customers.
Customizable and has Different Variants
It is more customizable, or more designs may be created than plastic packaging, and are perfect as food takeout packaging. There are these “V” pinch-bottomed, baguette bread paper bags, with foils inside, for motion sickness and more.
FAQ
How do you make kraft paper bags?
Kraft paper packaging is made while ensuring its durability. It is processed by boiling and filtering from whole trees to wood chips to produce fine wood pulps and then pressed into thin sheets of kraft paper. After drying, it may be cut and folded to the size needed to make the design. Lastly, its parts are glued to their place. After that, the actual kraft paper bags are made.
What is the raw material for kraft paper?
Other than the fiber from good woods or any fast-growing plants, safe chemicals such as sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide, and glue are the only raw materials used to make kraft paper.
What is the importance of paper bags?
The Paper bag is one of the crucial creations throughout history. It plays a significant role in environmental sustainability. Paper bags being recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable products ensure their non-bio-hazardous function for carrying various dry goods.
Are kraft bags eco-friendly?
Kraft bags are eco-friendly. It is better than any other paper bags or plastic packaging. Although it is usually made of wood pulps, worry not as its resources are from carefully managed plantations of the manufacturers. Therefore, it is not contributing to deforestation by any means. Furthermore, since it is made of wood pulps and other fast-growing plants that are rich in fiber, thus, it is biodegradable and compostable.
How long does kraft paper take to decompose?
Just a few weeks after using kraft paper, it will naturally decompose. It is also proven not to leave any trace of harm to the environment. If water is present and the kraft paper becomes wet, it will probably decompose faster. However, if someone is determined to recycle this kraft paper, it can last longer depending on how it will be handled.
