Paper bag pricing at bulk quantities isn't a single number — it moves with a handful of specific variables. Knowing them makes it much easier to compare quotes and to brief a supplier accurately.
Material and paper weight (GSM)
Kraft paper bags are priced by the paper's GSM (grams per square metre) — heavier GSM costs more but holds more weight and handles rougher use. Match the GSM to what the bag actually needs to carry rather than defaulting to the heaviest option.
Size and handle type
Larger bags use more paper, and handle style (twisted paper cord, flat paper handle, or die-cut/no handle) changes both material and labour cost. Standardising on a small number of sizes across your product range usually brings per-unit cost down versus many small custom sizes.
Custom printing
Plain kraft bags are the cheapest baseline. Adding a single-colour logo print, full-colour artwork, or foil finishing each step up the price, and printing usually has its own separate minimum order quantity from the plain bag itself.
Minimum order quantity (MOQ)
MOQ exists because print setup and paper procurement have fixed costs regardless of order size. Ordering at or above the MOQ, and consolidating multiple SKUs into fewer, larger orders, is usually the single biggest lever for lowering your per-bag cost.
Getting an accurate quote
The fastest way to get an accurate bulk quote is to share size, quantity, paper type, and whether you need custom printing, all at once. Browse our paper bags, SOS bags, or ecommerce mailing bags ranges and request a quote directly from the catalogue.