Brown Paper Bags

Features & Benefits

• Brown Paper Bags Made of Natural brown paper construction
• Flat, open-ended design for quick and straightforward packing
• Suitable for food and catering applications
• Ideal for dry, lightweight and non-greasy food products
• Provides a simple alternative to plastic packaging
• Opaque material offers discretion and conceals the contents
• Easy to label, stamp or write on for product identification
• Fold, tape, staple or label the bags after filling
• Strung together in convenient bundles for easy separation
• Lightweight and economical for high-volume use
• Easy to store beneath or beside serving counters
• Suitable for retail, takeaway, bakery and general merchandise applications
• Available in a wide range of sizes
• Pack quantities range from 100 to 1,000 bags, depending on size
• Suitable paper-waste collections can recycle clean bags that remain free from food contamination

Common Uses

Our open-ended brown paper bags are ideal for packaging:

• Sandwiches and rolls
• Bread and bakery products
• Pastries and cakes
• Biscuits and cookies
• Confectionery
• Dry snacks
• Fruit and vegetables
• Grocery products
• Takeaway food
• Delicatessen products
• Pharmacy products
• Cards and stationery
• Craft supplies
• Small retail purchases
• Hardware and lightweight components
• Seeds and garden products
• Market-stall merchandise
• General lightweight items

When using these bags for food, always check that the chosen size and paper specification suit the product, particularly where the contents are hot, oily, greasy or moist.

Open-Ended Brown Paper Bags

Our open-ended brown paper bags provide a simple, practical and cost-effective packaging solution for food service, retail, catering and general commercial applications. Their natural brown appearance creates a traditional presentation that works particularly well for bakeries, cafés, delicatessens, sandwich shops, market stalls and independent retailers.

Each bag features a flat, open-ended design without handles or gussets. Staff can insert products quickly through the open top, making these bags ideal for busy counters where speed and convenience are important.

After filling, staff can leave the open end unfolded for immediate service or fold it over and secure it using a label, sticker, tape or staple where appropriate. The plain paper surface also allows businesses to add handwritten information, product labels, date labels or branded stickers.

These lightweight brown paper bags provide convenient packaging for dry foods and lightweight retail products. They do not offer the moisture resistance, grease resistance or strength of coated paper, polythene or laminated packaging.

Convenient Packaging for Food and Retail Counters

The simple open-top design allows staff to load products quickly without opening handles, adhesive strips or complicated closures. This makes the bags particularly useful in high-volume catering and retail environments.

We supply the bags strung together in convenient bundles, allowing staff to separate individual bags as required. This format keeps the remaining bags organised and within easy reach beneath or beside the counter.

Their flat construction also reduces the amount of storage space required. Businesses can keep a useful quantity close to the serving area without occupying valuable counter or shelving space.

The natural brown finish provides an understated and recognisable paper-packaging appearance. It suits traditional bakeries and food shops as well as modern retailers looking for simple, functional packaging.

Available Brown Paper Bag Sizes

We offer our open-ended brown paper bags in the following sizes:

• 6 x 6 inch / 150mm x 150mm brown paper bags– supplied in boxes of 1,000
• 6.9 x 9.1 inch / 175mm x 230mm brown paper bags – supplied in boxes of 1,000
• 7 x 7 inch / 175mm x 175mm brown paper bags – supplied in boxes of 1,000
• 7.9 x 7.9 inch / 200mm x 200mm brown paper bags – supplied in boxes of 1,000
• 9.8 x 9.8 inch / 250mm x 250mm brown paper bags – supplied in packs of 1,000
• 11.8 x 11.8 inch / 300mm x 300mm brown paper bags – supplied in packs of 500
• 12.8 x 13.8 inch / 325mm x 350mm brown paper bags – supplied in packs of 500
• 18.7 x 20.7 inch / 475mm x 525mm brown paper bags – supplied in packs of 500

We show measurements as width × height.

The imperial measurements provide approximate conversions from the metric bag sizes. Please use the millimetre measurements when you require an exact fit.

Pack quantities vary according to the selected size. Check the individual product option carefully before ordering to confirm the quantity supplied.

How to Choose the Correct Brown Paper Bag Size

Measure the complete width, length and depth of the product before selecting a bag. As these flat paper bags do not include side or bottom gussets, the contents will use part of the available width and length as the bag expands around them.

For a flat item, choose a bag with internal dimensions comfortably larger than the product. For thicker products, allow additional width and length so the item can slide inside without stretching the paper or placing pressure on the seams.

You should also leave enough material above the product if you intend to fold and secure the open end. A bag that is only slightly longer than the contents may not provide enough room for a reliable fold.

If your product is bulky or close to the stated dimensions, select the next size up or request a sample before placing a larger order.

How to Use Open-Ended Paper Bags

Separate one bag from the bundle carefully and open the mouth fully before inserting the product. Avoid forcing oversized or sharp items into the bag, as this may split the paper or damage the seams.

Place the contents inside while leaving sufficient space at the open end. For immediate counter service, you can leave the bag open. Alternatively, fold the top over and secure it with a suitable label, sticker, tape or staple.

If using staples, make sure they cannot come into direct contact with food or create a hazard for the customer. Follow your organisation’s food-safety and packaging procedures at all times.

These bags do not have a built-in adhesive seal, handle or closure. Choose alternative packaging if the product requires a tamper-evident seal, moisture barrier or secure carrying handle.

Suitable Food Applications

These brown paper bags suit many dry, cool and non-greasy food products, including bread, sandwiches, rolls, pastries, biscuits and confectionery.

Standard uncoated paper can absorb oil, grease and moisture. Therefore, these bags may not suit oily, wet or heavily filled products unless you pair them with an appropriate food-safe liner or inner wrap.

Do not use the bags for liquids. Take care when packaging very hot foods, as heat, steam and moisture may weaken the paper.

The suitability of any packaging depends on the exact food, temperature, storage period and conditions of use. If you require confirmation for a particular food application or need a Food Safety Certificate, please email sales@expresspackaging.co.uk before ordering.

Why Choose Our Open-Ended Brown Paper Bags?

Our brown paper bags combine quick dispensing, simple packing and practical product presentation. Their lightweight flat design makes them economical to store and easy to use in busy catering and retail environments.

The open top provides quick access, while the plain surface gives businesses plenty of space for labels, handwritten information, date markings or branded stickers. A range of sizes helps customers package everything from small snacks and sandwiches to larger bakery products and lightweight retail items.

These bags offer a practical choice for bakeries, cafés, sandwich shops, delicatessens, sweet shops, pharmacies, market traders, grocery stores and general retailers requiring straightforward counter packaging.

What Are Open-Ended Brown Paper Bags Also Known As?

People also commonly refer to open-ended brown paper bags as:

• Brown paper bags
• Brown kraft paper bags
• Open-mouth paper bags
• Flat paper bags
• Paper counter bags
• Paper sandwich bags
• Bakery paper bags
• Food paper bags
• Takeaway paper bags
• Grocery paper bags
• Strung paper bags
• Paper sweet bags
• Paper produce bags
• Retail paper bags
• Kraft merchandise bags
• Flat kraft bags
• Paper packets
• Unhandled paper bags

Although people often use these names interchangeably, paper bags can differ in size, paper weight, food-contact suitability, grease resistance and construction. Always check the full product specification before ordering.

PPWR Compliance Information

Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on Packaging and Packaging Waste, commonly known as the PPWR, applies to packaging placed on the EU market. We can provide product specifications and supporting documentation to help customers complete their compliance assessments.

However, paper construction or recyclability alone does not confirm full PPWR compliance. The responsible economic operator must assess the finished packaging and its intended use against all applicable requirements, including packaging minimisation, substances of concern, recyclability, labelling and technical documentation.

Customers intending to place these products on the EU market should email sales@expresspackaging.co.uk to request the latest available documentation and confirm suitability for their application before making a PPWR compliance claim.

Material and Responsible Disposal

These bags use paper construction. Suitable household or commercial paper-recycling collections may accept bags that remain clean and dry.

Food residue, grease, moisture, tape, labels and other contamination can affect whether recycling services will accept the bag. Remove non-paper components where practical and follow the guidance from your local authority or commercial waste contractor.

Where a bag remains clean and undamaged, consider reusing it before placing it into an appropriate recycling or waste stream.

Important Safety Information

Keep unused paper bags in a clean, dry location away from moisture, direct heat and naked flames. Paper is combustible, while exposure to water, oil or excessive humidity may reduce its strength.

Do not overload the bags or use them to carry products that exceed the strength of the paper. These bags do not have handles, so support their contents from underneath when moving them.

When using the bags for food, follow all applicable hygiene, allergen and food-contact procedures.

Sample Requests

To request a sample, please email sales@expresspackaging.co.uk or call 0121 622 2347. A small charge applies to sample bags wider than 600mm. Our sales team will confirm any applicable charge before sending the sample.

Illustration Only

Our product images show food, retail products and accessories to demonstrate potential applications only. Your purchase does not include the illustrated contents.

Products vary in size, thickness, shape and weight. Measure your items carefully before ordering and allow additional room for the contents and any top fold or closure you intend to use.