Kraft Paper Carrier Bags – Robust Natural-Foods Look for Organic Brands

Carrier bags made from pure kraft paper with a natural brown look: 70–120 g/m² paper thickness, flat handles or twisted paper handles, unbleached or natural brown. For organic brands, natural-foods shops, wood-fibre producers and everyone who wants a genuine natural appearance.

Further variants in this packaging family: carrier bag overview, paper carrier bags as well as sustainable carrier bags – each with its own specialisation in material, format or application.

Related ranges for other application areas: sustainable packaging, block bottom bags from kraft paper as well as stand-up pouches from kraft paper.

Directly from the importer since 1976, shipping from our German warehouse – free samples, data sheets and graduated prices with no minimum order value.

More sustainable natural-paper packaging

Further carrier bag variants

Popular individual products from this range:

Shipping & terms

Shipping from our German warehouse. Standard kraft paper sizes are usually in stock, individual printing is arranged on an individual basis within the delivery window. No minimum order value. Organic shops receive graduated prices. FSC certificates and free samples via our enquiry form.

What are kraft paper carrier bags?

Kraft paper carrier bags are the material-specific variant focusing on the natural brown, unbleached kraft paper look. While standard paper carrier bags are often made with bleached or further-processed paper, kraft paper variants rely on the original brown kraft paper material in its raw form. This conveys authenticity, a connection to nature and a premium appearance – especially for organic, natural-foods and artisan brands.

The technical core is the kraft paper quality itself: made from FSC-certified wood in the sulphate process with caustic soda, it has high tear resistance and a fine fibre structure. Compared with standard paper, it is more robust, can be printed better and keeps its shape under load. For carrier bags, 70–80 g/m² is standard; for premium applications, 100–120 g/m² with reinforcements at the handle and base.

Our range of kraft paper carrier bags covers all the important application areas: small for organic natural-foods shops with single portions, medium for fashion boutiques with a natural aspiration, large for weekly market direct sales. Handle variants in flat or twisted. For premium organic brands we recommend twisted paper handles with an unbleached kraft paper outer. Printing with mineral-oil-free natural-foods inks is standard.

What are kraft paper carrier bags suitable for?

  • Organic and natural-foods shops: visibly sustainable packaging
  • Organic farmers' markets: natural-looking and waste-paper-compatible
  • Natural cosmetics boutiques: brand consistency from product to packaging
  • Artisan brands: a handcrafted appearance in the packaging
  • Tea & coffee producers: an elegant natural-foods look for premium tea
  • Wood-fibre and wood producers: thematic consistency with the material

Which kraft paper variant is the right one?

  • 70–80 g/m²: standard for light contents, cost-efficient
  • 90–100 g/m²: more robust for standard fashion shopping
  • 110–120 g/m²: premium application, very robust
  • FSC-certified: environmentally certified forestry
  • Natural brown unbleached: a genuine organic look
  • With flat handles: classic, cost-efficient
  • With twisted paper handles: premium appearance, highest load
  • With printing: brand logo with an organic look

Your advantages with kraft paper carrier bags from Elke Plastic

We have imported packaging solutions directly from the manufacturer since 1976. For organic brands, paper authenticity is important: paper that is too smooth looks artificial, paper that is too coarse looks cheap. Our suppliers work with balanced, well-processed kraft papers that combine a genuine natural-foods appearance with sufficient printing and tear quality.

Our packaging specialists advise on organic-brand requirements: FSC certification is essential, unbleached paper signals authenticity, twisted paper handles reinforce the premium impression. For printing we recommend mineral-oil-free inks – this fits the organic story and preserves full recyclability.

Shipping is from our German warehouse. Standard kraft paper sizes are usually in stock, individual printing is arranged on an individual basis within the delivery window. All customers – B2B as well as B2C – including organic shops and fashion retailers, receive graduated prices. FSC certificates and free samples via our enquiry form.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kraft Paper Carrier Bags

What is the difference between kraft paper and standard paper?

Kraft paper is made in the sulphate process with caustic soda and has longer fibres, higher tear resistance and an even structure. Standard paper is cheaper but less robust. For carrier bags under load, kraft paper is preferable.

Are the bags FSC-certified?

Yes, our standard kraft paper carrier bags are FSC-certified. This means: the wood comes from responsibly managed forestry. For organic brands, FSC certification is usually a mandatory proof.

How much can I load them with?

70–80 g/m²: 5–6 kg. 90–100 g/m²: 7–8 kg. 110–120 g/m²: 9–10 kg. For heavy orders we recommend premium variants with a reinforced base and handle.

What does “unbleached” mean?

Unbleached kraft paper has its natural brown colour – no chemical bleaching agents in the manufacturing process. For organic authenticity this is important. Bleached paper is less “organic-appropriate”.

Are the bags recyclable?

Yes, pure kraft paper is recyclable in the waste paper stream. For maximum recyclability we recommend mineral-oil-free inks and unglued inner sides.

Can the bags be used for food?

Pure kraft paper is NOT automatically food-grade. For food contact you need the food-grade variant with EU 10/2011 approval. We have our own category for food-grade paper carrier bags.

Which handle variant is the most robust?

Twisted paper handles: highest tear resistance, premium look. Flat handles: cost-efficient, sufficient load capacity for standard applications. Cord handles with fabric: elegant, medium load capacity.

Are the bags waterproof?

Pure kraft paper is not waterproof. For rain-resistant applications we recommend PE-coated inner sides.

Which printing processes are suitable?

Letterpress or flexo printing with mineral-oil-free inks. For organic brands we recommend natural-foods-compliant inks (wax-based or water-based).

How much do kraft paper carrier bags cost?

Standard goods from approx. 20–40 cents for the small format, 40–80 cents for the medium format, 80 cents–€1.50 for the large format. With volume runs and graduated pricing, considerably below this.

Do smaller runs make sense?

Yes. Stock items in standard sizes are available from one box. For organic brands we recommend the mix of standard bags plus organic labels as an interim solution.

Where do kraft paper carrier bags fit especially well?

In all brand contexts with an organic, sustainability or artisan story. For fashion boutiques with an organic-fashion aspiration, natural-foods shops, tea and coffee producers, organic pharmacies.