Paper Food Bags

From $1.25 / unit

500 units minimum · 7 days from approved proof

Paper food bags are printed flat or gusseted paper bags for takeout orders, restaurant carryout and dry or wrapped foods, sized around the containers or food inside. Packaging Dock offers grease-resistant and food-contact paper on request and ships the bags flat across the USA.

Flat or gusseted, with or without handles
Sized to containers or food
Grease-resistant paper option
Food-contact paper on request
500 units minimum · 7-day standard production

SKU PD-CUSTOMFOODPAPERBAGS

Configure your order Estimated quantity *

Bag dimensions (inches)

Paper weight Finish

Print coverage Handles

Target deadline Project details Artwork or spec file Optional. PDF, JPG, PNG, WEBP, TIFF, AI, EPS, or PSD. Up to 3 files, 8 MB each.

Contact information

Full name * Email *

Phone Company / brand

Final pricing depends on size, material, finishing, and quantity. Request a quote for exact pricing.

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Custom food paper bags in kraft brown with red and yellow sun graphic and "Good Fold" branding, shown upright and open with baked goods inside.

Product Details

Overview & Specifications

What Are Paper Food Bags?

Paper food bags carry food in two ways: around containers for takeout, where the bag is outer carry packaging, or around foods: dry foods can touch the paper, while wrapped foods touch only their wrapper. The format, paper and contact checks follow which of the two it is.

Paper Food Bags sit in the Paper Bags range and under Food & Beverage Packaging.

What it has to do

Carryout Bag or Food-Contact Bag?

A paper food bag is either a carryout bag around containers or a bag that touches the food, and the checks differ. Carryout bags are sized to containers and load; food-contact bags need paper confirmed for the food; both need grease and temperature considered.

01
Carryout
Carryout Around Containers
The bag holds sealed containers and cups. It is sized to the order and the packed weight; handles are optional.
02
Food
Food Touching the Paper
Food-contact paper is available on request. Confirm all food-contact surfaces, including paper, coatings, inks and any window film, for the food type, contact time and temperature.
03
Grease
Grease and Moisture
Grease resistance depends on the paper and coating. Liquids need their own sealed container; the bag is not leak-proof.
04
Temperature
Temperature
Hot food and steam affect paper. The paper is chosen for the actual temperature in use.

Paper Food Bags vs Food Gable Boxes

Choose a paper food bag for flexible carryout and wrapped foods, and a food gable box for a folding paperboard carry box with a handle. The table compares the two.

Attribute	Paper Food Bag	Food Gable Box
Format	Flexible bag	Folding paperboard carton
Stacking	Contents can shift	Holds shape
Handles	Optional	Built in
Best for	Takeout, dry or wrapped foods	Bakery assortments, meal boxes

Paper Food Bags Specifications

Paper Food Bags are specified around the contents, the paper and the bag format. Review the specifications below to plan the bag.

Specification	Available Configuration
Product Type	Paper food bag, flat or gusseted
Category	Paper Bags
Structure	Flat Paper Bags, gusseted or Paper Tote Bag format, by order
Dimensions	Custom width × gusset × height, built around containers or food
Paper	Standard kraft, grease-resistant paper or white art paper
Paper Weight	About 50–150 gsm for flat bags; About 100–250 gsm for tote bags, matched to the load and handle style
Handles	None, or twisted paper, flat or die-cut handles
Add-ons	Die-cut window (open or with clear PET film), paperboard bottom insert, reinforced top edge, tin tie
Food Contact	Food-contact paper available on request; all food-contact surfaces (paper, coating, inks, film) confirmed for the food type, contact time and temperature
Grease / Moisture	Depends on the paper and coating
Temperature	Paper chosen for the actual use
Liquids	Need their own sealed container; the bag is not leak-proof
Print Coverage	One side, both sides or full wrap; printing on food-contact surfaces is confirmed for the food type, contact time and temperature
Print Methods	Offset, digital, screen or flexographic printing; CMYK and Pantone spot colors
Coatings and Finishes	Matte, gloss or soft-touch lamination, aqueous coating, foil stamping, emboss/deboss, Spot UV and raised 3D UV, according to the paper
Starting Price	From $1.25 / unit; final price depends on size, paper, handles, print, finishes and quantity
Minimum Order	500 units
Standard Production	7 days from approved proof
Rush Production	Available on request
Shipping	Ships flat, USA and worldwide

What Size Paper Food Bag Do I Need?

Start from the largest typical order: containers, cups or wrapped food, as packed. Width, gusset and height are set on the approved dieline.

Measurement	What to Record
Order	Containers, cups or food
Footprint	Base width and gusset
Height	Tallest item
Contact	Containers only, or food touching paper

Pack a Sample With a Real Order

Pack a sample with a typical hot or cold order and carry it. Check grease, steam and the base.

What to Check Before Bulk Production

Review a sample packed with a real order and printed with the final artwork. Record the approved paper, size and contact surfaces on the signed-off sample.

If the sample shows	Review before approval
Grease marks the bag	Confirm grease-resistant paper
Steam softens the base	Review construction and fit, then check another packed sample
Containers tip over	Review construction and fit, then check another packed sample
Handle strains	Review construction and fit, then check another packed sample

Seven days covers standard production from approved proof once the specification is confirmed; delivery timing is confirmed separately.

Customization

Customize Your Paper Food Bags

Paper food bags are customized around four choices: format, paper, handles and print. Start with whether food touches the paper, because it sets the paper.

Format

Flat for wrapped items, gusseted for containers.

Paper

Kraft, grease-resistant or white art; food-contact on request.

Handles

None, twisted paper, flat or die-cut.

Print

Brand and menu panels.

Ordering

How to Order Paper Food Bags

Ordering paper food bags takes five steps: share the food order and requirements, confirm the size and dieline, approve the artwork proof, move into production, and ship flat. Orders start at 500 units, with standard production in 7 days from approved proof after the final specification is confirmed.

01
Request a Quote
Share the food or containers, whether food touches the paper, hot or cold use, quantity and print preferences. Packaging Dock typically responds to quote requests within 24 hours.
02
Confirm the Size and Dieline
Format, paper and size are set around the order. Packaging Dock then provides a custom dieline with the gussets and print panels marked.
03
Approve the Artwork and Proof
Artwork is prepared on the dieline with free design support available. The proof is reviewed for print and panels before approval.
04
Production
Production begins after the artwork proof and final specification are approved. Standard production is 7 days from approved proof, with rush production available on request.
05
Shipping
Finished bags ship flat across the USA and worldwide. Transit method, delivery time and shipping cost depend on the destination, order volume and shipment requirements.

Sample note: A pre-production sample can be packed with a real order before the full production run.

Uses

Who Uses Paper Food Bags?

Paper food bags are used by restaurants, cafes, delis, caterers and food brands for takeout, carryout and dry or wrapped foods.

01
Restaurants
Takeout in containers.
02
Cafes and Delis
Sandwiches and wrapped items.
03
Food Brands
Dry foods in paper bags. Barrier pouches are on Food Safe Mylar Bags.
04
Caterers
Larger orders. Carry boxes are on Food Gable Boxes.

Structures

Explore Related Packaging

See every paper bag on Paper Bags, the carry tote on Paper Tote Bag, and flexible and boxed food formats under Food & Beverage Packaging.

FAQ

Paper Food Bag FAQs

What are paper food bags?

They are printed flat or gusseted paper bags for takeout, restaurant orders and dry or wrapped foods.

Are paper food bags automatically food safe?

No. Food-contact paper is available on request, and the paper, coatings, inks and film are confirmed for the food type, contact time and temperature.

Are they leak-proof?

No. Liquids need their own sealed container.

Can they hold hot food?

Yes, where the paper is chosen for the actual temperature and steam.

Do you make plastic food bags?

No. This page covers paper food bags.

Can I get a sample before ordering?

Yes. Complimentary sample kits ship within two business days; the customer covers shipping. A pre-production sample can also be packed with a real order.

What is the minimum order and lead time?

Orders start at 500 units from $1.25 per unit. Standard production is 7 days from approved proof once the final specification is confirmed, with rush production available on request.