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November 1, 2012 By Kathy_g 3 Comments

Not-So-Plain Kraft Bags

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Ingenious Kraft Bags

Sometimes we get so excited about our new design groups that we forget our always-popular Kraft Bag. These bags are made in the USA from 100% recycled paper and are very economical. In this post I want to show you some inexpensive (dare I say cheap?) ways to spruce them up. These tips are quick and easy enough that busy retailers can even use them during the holidays.Let’s start with a regular kraft shopping bag and add some color. I actually used tissue paper to make a little bow on our Junior size 100% Recycled Paper Bag pictured at the top left. I used 20″x26″ Color Tissue Paper. Choose two colors, or just use one color if you would rather have a smaller bow.

I’ve seen some really cute tassels made with Bakers Twine, but since I am trying to stay cheap, I made mine with Burlap Twine – it’s less expensive and a little thicker so I don’t need as much. There are 100 yards of twine on each roll so you can make a ton of tassels with one! You can find instructions all over the internet for making tassels so I won’t go into it here. See how cute my orange and chocolate tassels look on the Kraft Vino Bag (top right). I paired them with matching colored tissue in espresso and orange. Again, you can make these ahead of time to avoid having to rush.

Raffia ribbon is always popular, and there are so many fun ways to use it other than the plain bow. How about making lots of loops and fringing the bow, like I did on this Kraft White and Oatmeal Tint Shopping Bag? I started by looping two colors of Paper Raffia, 10 loops on each side. This actually gave me 20 loops, 10 green and 10 pink on each side. Tie a short piece of Raffia around the middle, then use it to attach the bow to the bag handle as in the photo below, left. Cut as shown, on both sides, then fluff the bow. These can be made ahead of time and tied on when needed.

Kraft bag with fringed raffia bow

One last idea: If you use our Solid Color Merchandise Bags and want to really dress one up, try layering them (shown below). You will need two bags of the same size but in different colors. Hold the two bags together with the back seams facing out, then tuck one bag inside the other. Make a slit in each corner about 1/4 of an inch long. Fold over the longer edges to make a contrasting cuff. Not only is this attractive but your bag is twice as strong too. Our Wild Rose and Chocolate bags have a liner that is a different color so you can make a cuff with them without the second bag.

Layered merchandise bags

I hope these ideas have gotten your creativity flowing and you will come up with more ways to dress up plain bags with inexpensive additions. If you do, post a comment. Who knows, you might just be our next guest blogger.

Kathy_g

Kathy works with the Nashville Wraps’ Marketing Team as a packaging consultant and photo stylist. She is also a Master Gardener and enjoys her greenhouse and garden, three spoiled dogs, hubby and grandkids in her spare time. She also loves any kind of craft and spends rainy days in the art studio she shares with her creative husband, Bill.

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Filed Under: eco-friendly packaging, How Tos, Offering a Gift Wrapping Service, Packaging Tagged With: brown paper shopping bags, kraft bags, kraft paper shopping bags, paper shopping bags, recycled paper bags

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Steve says

    March 11, 2020 at 12:25 am

    Paper Craft is an artistic work according to my opinion. I like your Article and thinking approach towards paper crafts work.
    Printed Tissue paper can be a very good idea in the papercraft.

    Reply
  2. Gary DeVaan says

    November 22, 2012 at 8:56 am

    I do not see anywhere that the GreenWay giftwrap or bags are printed with Soy ink, Can you confirm that it is or is not?

    Reply
    • Buffie Baril says

      November 25, 2012 at 11:34 pm

      Hi Gary! Thank you for your comment. Our gift wraps and paper shopping bags (non-metallic) are made with water based inks. We appreciate your interest in Nashville Wraps.

      Reply

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