Merch bag
Kraft, flat handle200 minimum · 10 to 12 business daysA merch bag is a wide, shallow kraft carrier with flat paper handles, built to hold a folded tee, a cap or a record without wasting depth. We produce them from 200 units in 10 to 12 business days after proof, one or two color flexo on 100 gsm natural or white kraft. The usual sizes are 12 by 4 by 10 and 14 by 5 by 12 inches.
When to choose it, and when not to
Choose a merch bag for a merch table at a show, a conference swag handout, a brewery taproom or a record shop. Anything where you hand out a lot of bags fast and the bag needs a logo and not much else. Flat handles pack tighter than twisted ones, so a case of 500 takes about a third less space in the van, and the wide flat shape suits a folded shirt or a 12 inch sleeve without folding it.
Choose a kraft paper shopping bag with twisted handles when the bag carries heavier things over a longer walk, because twisted handles are the stronger of the two. Choose an apparel mailer box when the shirt is shipping rather than being handed over, since a bag gives no protection in the mail.
Specifications
| Board | 100 or 120 gsm natural or white kraft |
|---|---|
| One or two color flexo, water-based ink | |
| Finish | Uncoated kraft |
| Closure | Open top |
| Insert | Optional 350 gsm bottom board |
| Handles | Flat paper, glued inside a reinforced top fold, 5 inch loop |
| Minimum | 200 units |
| Lead time | 10 to 12 business days after proof |
| Ships | Flat, in bundles of 50 |
| Sizes we run | 10 x 3 x 8 in 12 x 4 x 10 in 14 x 5 x 12 in 16 x 6 x 12 in any size from 8 x 3 x 8 to 18 x 7 x 14 in |
Materials that suit it
Questions people ask
Why flat handles instead of twisted?
Flat handles fold down against the bag, so bundles pack about 30 percent tighter and unpack faster at a busy table. They carry around 6 pounds on 100 gsm kraft, which covers two shirts and a cap. Twisted handles carry more and feel more retail, but they need a wider top fold and take longer to open.
Will a 12 inch record fit?
Yes, in the 14 by 5 by 12 size with about an inch of clearance around a standard sleeve. The 12 by 4 by 10 is too small for vinyl but right for a folded tee, a tote or a cap. Tell us what goes in and we will confirm the size on the proof.
Can I do a different design on each face?
Yes. Flexo plates print each face separately, so a logo on one side and a tour date list or a sponsor block on the other costs nothing extra at one color. A second color adds one plate per face. Beyond two colors, the honest advice is to use a sticker label.
How fast can I get them for an event?
Standard is 10 to 12 business days after you approve the proof, and the digital proof usually comes within one business day of your artwork. If your event is inside that window, send the artwork today and tell us the date. We will say straight away whether it is possible rather than promise and miss.
Natural or white kraft?
Natural kraft hides scuffs and reads as unfussy, and one color black on it is the classic merch look. White kraft shows color accurately and suits a brand with a bright palette. Both are 100 gsm as standard. The white is a bleached kraft, still recyclable as mixed paper.
How is the merch bag different from the kraft paper shopping bag?
The merch bag is shaped for flat goods: wide and shallow, 100 or 120 gsm kraft, flat paper handles glued inside a reinforced top fold, and one or two color water-based flexo, so a case of them packs small for a show or a conference. The kraft paper shopping bag is deeper, with twisted handles, a fitted bottom board and a full color offset option, for shops that carry mixed items. Both start at 200 units in 10 to 12 business days after proof.
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Ready to price your merch bag?
Send the size and quantity for a quote and a dieline, usually within one business day. Your digital proof follows, usually within one business day of your artwork. Design help and the Swatch Book of materials are free.