A takeaway carrier bag holds the whole order, so a wrong choice can destabilise several packs at once. Quotes that appear comparable may use different gussets, handle constructions, paper specifications or packing counts. This guide turns the order into a purchasing specification, combining size, material, minimum quantity, print approval and logistics without duplicating the separate load-test article. Current product selection and quotations remain in Lupipak Store. Worked numbers explain the method; they are not stock sizes or guaranteed performance.
Size around order combinations, not one product
List the three most common orders—for example two burger boxes, fries and two drinks. Record the base arrangement, whether a cup carrier is used, and whether the bag travels by hand or inside a courier bag. The largest item alone does not define the right carrier; the footprint of the full order does.
Write dimensions in an explicit order: bag width × side gusset × height, in millimetres. Two 120 × 120 mm boxes placed side by side create a 240 × 120 mm starting footprint; operating clearance and manufacturing construction must then be confirmed by sample. Check that the open gusset does not press the boxes and that the height leaves room for closing and holding the handles.
Treat base and gusset as functional components
A wider base can help boxes remain level, but excess space allows movement and increases shipping volume. The gusset affects capacity, artwork placement and how quickly staff can open the bag. A structure suited to flat bakery items may not suit a tall delivery order.
Open the sample fully, load the intended products and observe whether it stands on the counter. Base folds, adhesive areas and corners should remain intact under the defined load. If hot boxes or moisture are present, reproduce the intended holding time; an empty dry-bag result is not enough.
Choose handles for load and service flow
Twisted-paper, flat-paper and handleless formats create different carrying and packing routines. Judge them against target load, carrying time, suspended holding and staff opening speed—not appearance alone. The handle reinforcement attached to the bag matters as much as the handle itself.
Test the same sample with different staff members and the heaviest normal order. Record tearing at the attachment, paper elongation, base opening and hand comfort separately. CEPI Eurokraft notes that durability can be tested under EN 13590; only make a load or reuse claim supported by testing of the specified finished bag.
Do not reduce paper selection to GSM
The quotation should identify paper type, grammage, colour, verifiable fibre information, printing surface and any wet-strength property. Papers with the same grammage can behave differently because of fibre composition and mechanical properties. Mondi’s kraft-paper information separates tensile strength, stretch and tensile energy absorption rather than treating weight as the only measure.
Describe possible grease, condensation or rain exposure and test samples accordingly. Do not automatically call a carrier food-contact packaging when closed food boxes sit inside it, but state the actual use accurately. Recycling or reuse statements should be checked for the finished bag—including handles, adhesive and print—and for collection systems in the destination market.
Confirm MOQ per size and artwork
On 25 October 2026, Lupipak’s kraft-bag page stated a 10,000-piece minimum order. Confirm how it applies to the selected dimensions, handle type, paper and artwork in the project quotation. Do not assume that splitting 10,000 pieces between two sizes or four campaign designs meets the same production conditions.
At usage of 3,000 bags per month, 10,000 represents about 3.3 months before waste and safety stock. Compare this exposure with campaign end dates, storage space and replenishment time. Production quantity, permitted over- or under-delivery and the invoicing basis should appear as separate commercial terms.
Approve artwork on both the flat and open bag
Use the current production template for the selected dimensions and construction. Front, back, gussets, bottom folds, glue areas and handle reinforcement must be visible. A logo that appears centred on a flat drawing may crease or shift visually when the bag opens or hangs from its handles, so review a physical mock-up.
Specify colour targets, print method, number of printed faces, ink coverage, bleed and safe areas in writing. Inspect fine lines and small type at actual print size. Link the artwork revision, technical drawing, paper, handle, quantity and approval date under one order reference; a screen view is not a physical colour approval.
Turn sampling and load testing into acceptance evidence
Ask what the sample represents: a dimensional mock-up, a print proof and a sample made with production material answer different questions. The test plan should state load weight, pack arrangement, holding time, walking distance, lift cycles and inspection points.
Test the lightest, typical and heaviest normal order separately. Include counter pickup, placement inside a courier bag and customer handover rather than only suspending the bag by its handles. Retain the approved sample with photographs and revision data, then agree production sampling and defect limits with the supplier.
- Tearing at handles and reinforcement
- Opening at base, corners or adhesive seam
- Boxes tipping or the loaded bag leaning
- Paper and print after moisture exposure
- Opening speed and separation of stacked bags
Compare the delivered usable bag, not only unit price
Against one technical specification, compare unit price together with print preparation, plates if used, samples, cartons, pallets, freight and applicable taxes. Ask which setup costs recur on repeat orders. Treatment of rejected product and damaged shipping cartons also belongs in the commercial terms.
Request units per carton, external carton size, gross weight, pallet pattern and pallet height. Flat bags make carton count dependent on construction as well as quantity. Lupipak’s product page states a standard 26-business-day production period after artwork approval; do not assume transit is included. Confirm sampling, approval, production and dispatch dates separately.
Send an enquiry that can become the order specification
Complete the following fields before progressing product selection and quotation in Store. Mark an unresolved dimension or paper grade as subject to sample approval rather than guessing. The main-site product page introduces the range; current selection and quotation stay in Store.
The final release should combine drawing, paper, handle, artwork, quantity per design, acceptance criteria and delivery scope. A repeat order can then reproduce an approved carrying system instead of merely using the same logo.
- Width × gusset × height and measurement unit
- Largest pack, typical/heaviest order weight and arrangement
- Handle type, paper expectation and use conditions
- Quantity per size and artwork; monthly usage
- Artwork files, colour target and printed faces
- Sample scope, delivery tolerance and acceptance method
- Destination country, postcode, warehouse/unloading conditions and required date