Not-So-Plain 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. Below is a short video that will show you how to do it. It’s easy, fast and you may already have the tissue on hand! 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.

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.

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.