Bags & Wraps

Bags and wraps are the last thing that touches your food before the customer does. A bag that leaks, tears at the handles, or lets heat out within five minutes of leaving the counter is a customer service problem, not just a packaging one. Choosing the right product depends on what you are putting in it, how far it travels, and what your brand presentation needs to look like.

Key Factors to Consider

Material and Construction

Paper bags are the most common choice for food service -- kraft paper (usually 70gsm to 90gsm for standard bags, 100gsm or higher for heavier loads) handles sandwiches, pastries, and light takeaway well. For hot food or anything greasy, look for bags with a PE-lined interior or grease-resistant coating. Uncoated kraft bags are fine for dry goods but will fail with a hot pie or a portion of chips. Film bags (polypropylene or clear cellophane) are used for confectionery, bakery display, and grab-and-go items where visibility matters. Foil-lined bags are available for heat retention -- useful for kebabs, burritos, and fried food.

Size

Getting the size right saves money and reduces waste. Common sizes for food service:

• Small bags (roughly 180mm x 80mm x 280mm): sandwiches, single pastries, hot drinks with a snack
• Medium bags (roughly 220mm x 100mm x 320mm): two-course lunch portions, larger sandwiches, small boxes
• Large bags (roughly 280mm x 120mm x 360mm): multi-item orders, family portions, pizza by the slice
• SOS/square-bottom bags: more stable for heavy or multiple items, stand upright on the counter

Flat bags and pouches (no gusset) suit single flat items; gusseted bags are better for volume.

Handle Type

Twisted paper handles are standard for light to medium loads and look good. Flat tape handles are stronger and better for heavier orders -- a bag with a flat handle is less likely to fail when carrying a full meal deal. No-handle bags (often used with a top fold or staple) are the cheapest option and fine for over-the-counter hand-off. Die-cut handles cut directly into the bag are durable and popular for retail-style presentation.

Temperature and Use Case

For hot food, test whether the bag maintains an acceptable temperature for your typical delivery or collection window. A standard kraft bag will bleed heat within 10 to 15 minutes. Foil-lined options extend this. For cold or ambient food, a standard paper or film bag is fine. For anything that might condense (hot food in a cold environment), look for bags with moisture resistance.

Sustainability

Paper bags are generally the preferred choice under UK single-use plastics guidance and are recyclable when not heavily contaminated. PE-lined bags are technically not recyclable in most kerbside schemes, so if sustainability is important to your brand, look for bags with plant-based linings or uncoated versions where food compatibility allows. Check whether your supplier can confirm home compostable or industrially compostable certification.

Cost and Value

Plain kraft bags in standard food service sizes start at around £6 to £14 per 250 bags, depending on size and weight. Printed bags with a simple one-colour logo run considerably more -- expect £20 to £40 per 250 for small quantities, dropping significantly with volume. Foil-lined bags are typically 20 to 50% more expensive than standard equivalents.

Pro Tips

• Pack a test bag with your heaviest typical order and walk it down a flight of stairs. Handle failure under load is one of the most common complaints and is easy to spot before you commit to a case.
• If you are printing bags with your logo, ensure your artwork is print-ready (vector format, correct bleed) before requesting a sample. Proofing delays can hold up a full order significantly.
• For delivery operations, flat-bottom bags stand up in courier bags and on counters, reducing spills at the customer's end.
• Buy a standard unbranded bag in bulk for day-to-day use and reserve branded bags for specific seasonal or promotional lines. This reduces waste if your designs need updating.

Summary

The right bag depends on what goes in it, how far it travels, and what your customers expect to receive. Kraft paper handles most food service needs, but specify the right weight, handle type, and lining for your menu. Test before ordering at scale, calculate your usage carefully, and invest in branded bags only where they deliver clear brand value.