Small, Medium or Large? How to Choose the Right Paper Bag Size

When brands order custom paper bags with logo, material and printing usually get all the attention — but size quietly decides the customer experience. The rule is simple: measure your largest product, add breathing room, and check how the bag hangs in the hand. Below are the three size ranges we produce most, and what each is built for.

Small Bags (Under 20 cm Wide) — Jewelry, Cosmetics and Gifts

Small bags carry the high-value, low-volume purchases: jewelry boxes, lipsticks, perfumes, candles and small gift items. The right small bag holds the product plus minimal padding — anything bigger and the item rattles around and looks less special. A snug fit is also a safety feature: less sliding means less damage. Many boutiques pair small bags with a printed thank you card tucked inside, which is why we often print both in the same order.

• Typical size: 15 × 10 × 5 cm to 20 × 15 × 8 cm
• Handles: thin rope or ribbon for delicate proportions
• Paper: 210–250gsm is enough at this size
• MOQ: from 1,000 pieces

Best for: jewelry, perfumes, cosmetics, candles and wedding favors.

Medium Bags (20–30 cm Wide) — The Retail Workhorse

This is the size that handles most retail purchases: folded clothing, shoe boxes, books, skincare sets and mid-size gift boxes. If you sell a range of products, one medium bag is usually the smartest first order — it fits more than you expect, and oversized looks better than undersized at the counter. A useful capacity test before ordering: put your actual product, wrapped in tissue paper, on a scale and against a ruler — we will match the bag to the real dimensions, not guesses.

• Typical size: 25 × 20 × 10 cm to 32 × 25 × 12 cm
• Handles: twisted paper or flat cotton tape
• Paper: 250gsm kraft or art paper
• MOQ: from 1,000 pieces

Best for: fashion retail, bookstores, skincare sets and general gift shops.

Large Bags (Over 32 cm Wide) — Luxury and Statement Purchases

Large bags are for the moments worth photographing: full gift sets, luxury hampers, coats, home textiles and multi-item purchases. At this size, structure becomes critical — the paper must be heavier (300gsm+), the bottom reinforced, and the handles tested to real weight, because a luxury bag that tears at the door destroys the exact impression it was bought to create. Tall items also need attention to bag height, not just width: a bag that is wide but short forces the product to lean or stick out.

• Typical size: 35 × 30 × 15 cm and up
• Handles: wide ribbon or thick rope, weight-tested
• Paper: 300gsm+ with reinforced cardboard base
• MOQ: from 1,000 pieces

Best for: luxury retail, gift hampers, coats, home goods and flagship stores.