Paper bags are no longer limited to a single use or industry. Today, the same business category may use multiple types of paper bags, depending on factors such as product weight, moisture content, branding preference, packing speed, and customer experience.
Rather than asking “Which paper bag is for which business?”, a more accurate question is:
Which paper bag works best for a specific application within a business?
This article explains the most commonly used paper bag types, their overlapping applications, and the role of speciality paper bags such as water-resistant and oil-and-grease-resistant packaging.
Flat Handle & Twisted Handle Paper Bags
Most commonly used in: Grocery, Restaurants, Bakeries, Sweet Shops, Retail
Both flat handle and twisted handle paper bags are widely used across multiple industries, especially where customers need to carry multiple items comfortably.
Grocery Stores & Supermarkets
Contrary to common assumptions, both flat handle and twisted handle paper bags are suitable for grocery use. Their performance depends more on engineering parameters than handle style alone.
Key strength factors include:
- Paper GSM
- Bursting Factor (BF)
- Paper quality
- Glue formulation
- Handle construction & reinforcement
Flat handle bags often perform exceptionally well in grocery environments due to their wide glued handle area, which distributes load efficiently. Twisted handle bags, on the other hand, are preferred by many grocery brands for customer comfort, reusability, and premium perception.
Restaurants, Bakeries & Sweet Shops
Both handle types are also commonly used in:
- Restaurants & takeaway counters
- Bakeries & patisseries
- Sweet shops & confectionery brands
Here, the choice is driven more by brand positioning, aesthetics, and customer experience than by load alone. Premium bakeries often prefer twisted handle bags, while high-volume food outlets may opt for flat handle bags for efficiency.
SOS Paper Bags (Self-Opening Square Bottom)
Most commonly used in: Grocery, Pharmacy, Takeaway, Convenience Stores
SOS paper bags are one of the most functional formats in retail and food service. Their square bottom allows the bag to stand upright, making them ideal for fast and organised packing.
Typical applications:
- Grocery and supermarket checkout
- Medical and pharmacy stores
- Takeaway food packaging
- Convenience and daily-need stores
SOS bags are especially popular in pharmacies because they are easy to pack, hygienic, and cost-efficient, while still offering adequate strength for medicines and medical supplies.
V-Bottom Paper Bags & Paper Pouches
Most commonly used in: Medical, Pharmacy, Snacks, Small Food Items
V-bottom paper bags and paper pouches are widely used where lightweight products and short carrying distance are involved.
Medical & Pharmacy Use
In medical and pharmacy environments, V-bottom bags/pouches and SOS paper bags are preferred due to:
- Simple, clean structure
- Ease of dispensing
- Lower material usage
- Suitable size for medicines and small items
Food & Snack Use
These bags are also common in:
- Snack counters
- Bakeries (single items)
- Dry food and confectionery
Paper Pouches for Electronics & Accessories
Most commonly used in: Electronics, Lighting, Components
In the electronics sector, paper bags are rarely used for carrying alone. Instead, paper pouches and paper pillow-style covers are used as protective inner packaging.
Typical uses:
- LED lights and fixtures
- Electrical accessories
- Cables and small components
These paper pouches act as dust covers, surface protection, and cushioning layers, reducing plastic dependency while maintaining product safety.
Water-Resistant Paper Bags
Speciality use for: Wet Grocery Items & Moisture-Prone Products
For grocery items with moisture exposure—such as vegetables, fruits, meat, or chilled products—standard paper bags are not always suitable.
This is where water-resistant paper bags are used.
Key features:
- Special water-resistant coating
- Improved tear resistance in humid conditions
- Maintains strength when exposed to moisture
These bags are commonly used in modern grocery formats where wet items are packed separately, ensuring durability without shifting to plastic.
OGR (Oil & Grease Resistant) Paper Bags, Pouches & Sheets
Speciality use for: Food Service & Takeaway
OGR (Oil and Grease Resistant) paper packaging is essential for food products that release oil during storage or transport.
Common applications:
- Fried food and snacks
- Bakery and confectionery
- Burgers, wraps, sandwiches
- Food wrapping sheets and inner liners
OGR paper is available in bags, pouches, and sheets, ensuring food safety, cleanliness, and a better customer experience.
How Businesses Actually Choose Paper Bags
In real-world scenarios, businesses rarely rely on just one paper bag type. Most use a combination of formats based on:
- Product weight and size
- Moisture or oil exposure
- Carrying distance
- Brand positioning
- Cost and operational efficiency
A grocery store may use:
- Flat handle or twisted handle bags for dry items
- SOS bags for quick checkout
- Water-resistant bags for wet produce
A restaurant may use:
- Handle bags for takeaway orders
- OGR pouches or sheets for food contact
Final Thoughts
Paper bags today are application-driven, not industry-restricted. Flat handle and twisted handle paper bags are both suitable for grocery, restaurants, bakeries, and sweet shops. Medical and pharmacy stores rely more on SOS bags, V-bottom bags, and paper pouches, while electronics packaging increasingly uses paper-based protective covers.
Speciality solutions like water-resistant and OGR paper packaging further expand the role of paper bags across industries.
Choosing the right paper bag is about understanding the product, not just the business category—and that’s where responsible, well-engineered packaging truly adds value.
