You'll have a DIY gift bag in no time at all with a piece of wrapping paper. Sewing machine not required. No expensive supplies. Only paper, tape and some clean folds. This guideline tutorial will take you to select the right paper, to finish a design with handles that carry weight.
It is easier than one can think to create a handmade paper bag using wrapping paper. It's a process based on fundamental paper folding techniques that can be mastered within a single day. In addition, you can also create homemade bags that will fit odd-shaped gifts that standard shop bags just can't fit. This is the equipment that you will need to begin.
Heavier (more than 80 GSM) wrapping paper keeps its shape better than thin paper
The natural strength of kraft wrapping paper makes it the strongest option
The inside fold lines are covered with double-sided printed paper
Matte finish paper that springs open will not have as sharp a crease line as glossy paper
Structured bags are best avoided with foil wrapping paper because it tends to crack at the folds
Rolls can be used to make up lengths as needed depending on the amount of bags, making them more effective than pre-cut pieces
When the wrapping paper is so thin that it rips apart under the weight of the present. That's the top reason for homemade gift bags going wrong. The paper below 60 GSM is suitable for flat light paper products. Cards. Scarves. Thin books. 80 GSM or more should be used for anything heavier. Specifically, when 90-100 GSM kraft wrapping paper is used, it does not rip at the base fold when wrapping bottles, candles and boxed gifts. In addition, thicker paper will record crease lines. When thin paper is relaxed, the assembled bag slowly loses its structured shape. Fold a corner of the paper to test it. The paper will work if the crease remains sharp.
Not every wrapping paper works as well in a wrapping paper bag project. For heavy gifts, the best paper to use is kraft paper. Medium weight presents are wrapped with standard printed wrapping paper at 80 GSM. Decorative paper comes in tissue paper quality only and cannot be used as a bag. In addition, double-sided wrapping paper means that there will be no white backing on the inside when the bag is opened. Small repeating patterns on patterned paper allow for error in alignment which will not be as noticeable as a large-scale pattern that is misaligned by a crooked fold.
Also, note what happens when the bag top folds inward. With open-top bags, where the inside is visible, the pattern on the inside is important. Having a mind for pattern placement can be of great help when choosing gift wrapping ideas because your finished product won't look unintentionally messy.
Prepare all the materials in advance. Wrapping paper. Double-sided tape, or glue stick. Scissors. A ruler. Bone folder or back of a butter knife to use for creasing. If adding ribbon handles, use a hole punch. The complete listing is here.
No bone folder? A credit card edge does function. No hole punch? Scissors have a small slit for inserting ribbon. No double-sided tape? It is just as well hidden with regular tape that is placed inside the fold. Having the perfect tools isn't the point. The idea is clean folds and tight closures. In addition, a cutting mat will preserve the table's surface and provide a reference gridline guide for straight cuts. Just in case you don't have a cutting mat, use a large hardcover book. You don't need to visit the craft store before starting this paper bag tutorial.
The clean flat surface is more important than any tool. Small bits of paper that fall under the fold form a bump that gives the impression of a bump under the paper. Pet hair adheres to tape. The amount of arm movement needed for accurate folding is reduced by having a cluttered table. Clear an area two or more times the size of the paper. Soft surfaces absorb the force required for sharp crease lines and create weak folds that can open up when handled.
The size of paper bag dimensions will be determined by the contents. Take measurements of the present before you buy it. Take three centimeters from each side for the gusset fold. For the fold-over edge add six centimeters to the top. If it is too small, the bag won't shut. Waste of paper and too big for a floppy bag if too large.
The foundation is the bottom fold. If not done right, the bag will collapse under the weight of the gift. Fold up the bottom edge five to six centimeters. Crease firmly. Open that fold. Securely tape the overlap. This forms the flat rectangular base which enables the gift bag from wrapping paper to stand on a table by itself.
Gussets are the side folds which add depth to the bag. If they are not present the bag will remain flat like an envelope. Fold the edges of the side panels toward each other equally from the front panel. These folds are inward folds that add depth to the bag that is necessary for a three-dimensional gift. Also, make certain both gusset folds are exactly the same width. A nice decorative paper bag with clean gussets appears like it came straight from the store.
Gift bag handles are essential to the whole presentation. Option one uses ribbon inserted through the holes and tied inside. Option two uses twisted paper cord glued inside the fold. Option three skips handles entirely and instead uses a fold-over top with a sticker seal. Handles in ribbon form are the most beautiful. Paper cord handles appear more rustic and artisan. Fold-over seals are best for small, lightweight gift bags, where handles would be the wrong solution. Select the handle method prior to reinforcing the top edge.
Handles pull on the paper each time someone picks up the bag. The paper rips open on a heavy gift without reinforcement in just a few seconds. Bend the top edge down two to three centimeters. This makes the thickness of the paper at the stress point double. Punch the handle holes through all layers. The handles are no longer pulling against a single paper, but doubled paper plus cardboard.
A gift is inside when the tissue paper sticks out the top of the gift bag. Fold two to three pieces into the bag with the edges spread out above the top of the bag. Use color to coordinate the tissue with the wrapping paper design. Furthermore, attach a gift tag to one handle. A small sticker or wax seal on the front panel provides a sense of being a higher quality product. There is movement generated from cascading ribbon around the handles.
Each fold in a wrapping paper bag creates a final shape. The bag wobbles when it is lazily folded at the base. A weak gusset crease causes sides to puff up outward rather than fold flat. In particular, there should be even pressure with a bone folder or hard edge down the center of each fold. If the crease is not made, even in two centimeters, there will be a point where the paper bends in an unpredictable manner. Take your time when folding. Increase your speed at the taping point. It is better to make those bags than to rush through both.
If cut too short, a bag will have less of an overlap at the base fold. The bottom lifts up when weight is applied. Too narrow of a bag will not be able to create deep pockets for the gift. Both of these are due to the failure to take a measurement at the start. In addition, paper cut at an angle also makes a bag with uneven top edges that can never be corrected by folding. Draw a line with a ruler and use a pencil to mark the cut line. Slowly cut along the mark. Each issue along the paper bag tutorial process is avoided by using straight cuts at precise dimensions.
Tape on the outside of the custom gift bag diminishes the whole effect. The glue will bleed through thin paper, and create dark stains that can not be covered with paper. Make sure the double sided tape is not visible from the outside in each fold. Wet glue flows out and can be seen under the crease. Moderation in the use of adhesive yields a cleaner result than abundance.
Creating a gift bag from wrapping paper is a simple and quick process that only takes a flat sheet of paper, tape and about ten minutes of precise folding. Strength is dependent on the paper weight. The measurement is used to identify the fit. The quality of the crease makes the bag look professional. Furthermore, handle reinforcement determines whether the bag makes it from the car to the party table.
All the steps in this tutorial depend on the previous ones. Without measurements there are problems when it comes to fitting. Rushing folds produce poor structure. There is an obvious mess when the adhesive is overused. A step-by-step process of patience yields a reusable gift bag that looks more like a boutique than kitchen table.
If your brand wants to produce professionally made custom gift bags and eco-friendly gift wrapping products in bulk quantities, contact The Packaging Tree for custom paper bag printing solutions, handles, and retail-ready finishing.
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