A kraft paper pouch is an eco-friendly pouch that is made using kraft paper. Kraft paper pouches are becoming more popular in the flexible packaging world. At the end of this guide, you should know what products you can use kraft paper pouches to package.
You will also find out how to use kraft paper pouches and the benefits of using them. This is a comprehensive guide that tells you all you need to know about kraft paper pouches.
1. What is Kraft Paper Pouch made of?
Kraft paper pouches are paper bags made using kraft paper. Some kraft paper pouches have aluminum foil lining the interior to better protect the contents. Kraft paper is very strong which makes it the best material for making paper pouches.
The kraft paper can either be bleached or unbleached. Unbleached kraft paper pouches are brown colored, while bleached ones are usually white. Unbleached kraft paper pouches are sometimes yellow-gray or yellow-brown.
Kraft paper pouch bags are also made using recycled paper, or a combination of both. The proportion of fresh kraft paper and recycled kraft paper depends on the client’s specifications. Another name for kraft paper is wood pulp paper or virgin wood pulp paper.
1) How are Kraft Paper Pouches made?
Kraft paper pouches are made by rolling kraft paper into flat rolls or thin sheets of paper. The producer then cuts the kraft paper into two times the pouch size they want to make. After cutting, the manufacturer then folds the paper in half and glues the sides together.
This is the process of making a simple flat kraft paper pouch. You can also fix a separate paper handle using an adhesive force.
2. Kraft Paper Pouch Types
The different types of kraft paper pouches include:
- Laminated kraft bottom-gusseted pouches: these pouches are laminated with high-quality materials. These pouches usually contain three layers, the outermost, middle, and innermost layers.
The outermost layer is kraft paper; the middle layer is aluminum, PET, and PETAL. The innermost layer consists of LLDPE and CPP. The laminated material gives an excellent protective barrier against environmental factors like moisture, UV light, etc.
- The bottom gusset of these pouches makes them Stand-up pouches. The laminated kraft bottom-gusseted pouch also gives your products extended shelf life.
- Kraft block bottom pouches: these types of pouches have the ability to contain heavier products, compared to other pouch types. Kraft block bottom pouches have gussets on both sides and the bottom of the pouch. The large spaces on the sides of the pouch due to the gussets are great areas for branding and advertising. Other names for kraft block bottom pouches are flat bottom pouches and box pouches.
- Kraft side gusseted pouches: this type of pouch has a square bottom that stretches out when you pour in the contents. Kraft side gusseted pouches have degassing valves that serve as vents for letting out trapped gas. They are very suitable for packaging food items and snacks. The flat square bottom allows this pouch to stand tall on display shelves.
- Kraft flat pouches: these pouches are pillow-like pouches. They are usually small and are suitable for packaging smaller quantities of products. There are no gussets on these pouches, but their sides and tops are sealed. Kraft flat pouches are not standup pouches, and cannot stand alone on display. These pouches are suitable for packaging small quantities of coffee, tea bags, and other food items.
- Custom-printed kraft paper pouches: these types of pouches are made from long-lasting laminated materials with high barrier protection. The surface of custom-printed kraft pouches makes it easy to print on them. This makes them a great source of advertising. Custom printed kraft paper pouches are available in various styles like stand-up, and gusseted pouches.
- Kraft paper pouches with Aluminum foils: these are kraft pouches that have a lining of aluminum inside for extra barrier protection. Kraft pouches with aluminum lining are most suitable for packaging food products because they preserve freshness for longer. These pouches also protect their contents against weather and environmental elements like moisture and oxygen.
- White kraft strip standup Pouch: these pouches are made with white kraft paper. They consist of three different layers, the outermost layer, the middle, and the inner layer. The outermost layer is made of MATT BOPP, while the middle layer is kraft paper/PET/PETAL. The innermost layer is lined with LLDPE. The surface of white kraft pouches is usually matte to make them last longer. These pouches also come in different styles and sizes, depending on your specifications and requirements.
- Kraft paper pouches with windows: these pouches are different types of kraft paper pouches with a small transparent window. This is a consumer favorite because the buyer can see the contents through the window before they buy.
3. Benefits of Kraft Paper Pouches
Since kraft paper pouches are fast taking over the packaging industry, it is necessary to know their benefits.
The benefits include:
- Kraft paper pouches are eco-friendly and good for the environment
- Kraft paper pouches are multipurpose as you can use them for different purposes aside from packaging
- Also, kraft paper pouches are recyclable and decompose easily.
- Kraft paper pouches are cost-effective
- Kraft paper pouches are not toxic, so they do not transfer any chemicals to their edible contents.
- You do not need to do too much when it comes to printing on kraft paper pouches. The color is unique and allows for simple printing designs
- Kraft paper pouches are easy to fold which increases the ease of transportation.
- Kraft paper pouches preserve the freshness of their contents for longer
- They are very durable for packaging as they are water-resistant and puncture-proof
- Kraft paper pouches are suitable for packaging consumable foods
4. Typical Applications of Kraft Paper Pouches
Kraft paper is stronger than regular paper, which puts it in high demand in the packaging industry.
Some of the typical uses of kraft paper pouches are:
- People use kraft paper pouches, otherwise known as paper bags, to get fruit to ripen faster.
Fruits release ethylene gas which allows them to ripen faster.
Kraft paper pouches have seals that trap this gas inside the pouch, leading to the ripening of the fruits.
- You can use kraft paper pouches to make popcorn at home. Instead of using store-bought microwave popcorn, you can pop some corn using a kraft paper pouch.
- You can also cut your kraft paper pouch, and use them to clean windows.
- Instead of using traditional serving bowls for snacks, you can use kraft paper pouches to serve snacks at parties.
- You can also use kraft paper pouches to collect compost or materials you want to recycle.
- Also, you can cut up your kraft paper pouch, and use it as a gift wrapper.
- You can use a kraft paper pouch to add cushioning effect when packaging fragile materials.
- Again, you can also use a kraft paper pouch for storage.
Due to its strength and versatility, kraft paper pouch is becoming more widely accepted as packaging for a wide range of products. You can use kraft paper pouches to package products like:
- Snacks
- Candy and chocolates
- Fruits
- Tea bags
- Coffee
- Foods for pets
- Dry skin care products like scrubs, clay masks, soaps, etc. Some wholesale waxing supplies manufacturers also use kraft paper pouches to package their hard wax beans.
- Spices
- Dry farm produce like rice, oats, grains, etc
Although you can use kraft paper pouches to store a variety of products, people use them mostly to package food products.
5. How Barrier Protection for Kraft Paper Pouches Works
Barrier protection is an important quality for kraft paper pouches because it makes the contents of the pouch last longer.
The contents of your packaging need to be protected from environmental factors like moisture and oxygen.
Barrier protection for kraft paper pouches works in the following ways:
- Moisture barrier protection prevents dry foods and powder contents from moisture. Products that get spoilt when they come in contact with water benefit from this barrier protection.
- Oxygen barrier protection helps to preserve the flavor and aroma of products for longer. Certain products like spices lose their flavor when exposed to oxygen.
- Barrier packaging also protects products from UV light from the sun.
The function of all barrier protection is to prolong the longevity of products and keep them in their freshest state.
Barrier protection for kraft paper pouches also prevents contamination of products.
6. Branding and Design Options for Kraft Paper Pouches
When it comes to branding you have free rein to choose how you want to customize the pouch. You get to decide what Design and Artwork you want on your kraft paper pouch. Depending on the type of pouch, the space on it, and the finishing, you have various design options to choose from.
You can print your brand logo on the front or sides of the pouch.
7. How Kraft Paper Pouch vs. Plastic Paper Pouch Compare
Kraft paper pouches are taking over the packaging market, and plastic pouches are no longer as common.
More manufacturers and consumers are adopting the more eco-friendly option of kraft paper pouches.
Below is a comparison between kraft paper pouches and plastic pouches:
Kraft paper pouch | Plastic pouches |
1. Kraft paper pouches are eco-friendly.2. Kraft paper pouches are made from biodegradable products
3. Kraft paper pouches are food-safe pouches and are very suitable for packaging food items. 4. Kraft paper pouches do not contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to consumers’ health. |
1. These are not as eco-friendly as kraft paper pouches.2. Plastic pouches are not easily biodegradable.
3. Plastic pouches might not be totally as food-safe as kraft paper pouches. 4. Plastic pouches might contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to consumers’ health. |
Although kraft paper pouches are different from plastic pouches, they also have lots of similarities.
Some of these similarities are:
- Both kraft paper pouches and plastic pouches are easy to transport.
- They are both flexible packagings
- Both kraft paper pouches and plastic pouches are easy to store
- The two pouch types are versatile
8. Limitations of Kraft Paper Pouches
Kraft paper pouches have lots of advantages, but like all things with benefits, they also have limitations.
The limitations of kraft paper pouches though are few.
They include:
- Kraft paper pouches need special storage because overexposure to moisture can soften the pouch. Though kraft paper pouches are strong, they still have paper content which requires a cool, dry storage space.
- Printing on the surface of kraft paper pouches will be a little uneven due to the rough texture of Kraft paper.
9. Common question
There are some answers about kraft paper pouches.
1) What are the available Kraft Paper Pouch Color Choices?
The standard color of the kraft paper pouch is dark brown or yellowish-brown. Aside from this standard color, there are also other colors available for kraft paper pouches.
Colors like dark blue, red, green, white, and black. These colors are available at the customer’s request.
2) What Should I Consider When Choosing Food Grade Kraft Paper Pouches?
Kraft paper pouches are one of the most common packages for food products out there. Packaging for food products has to consist of materials that are safe to come in contact with food.
You have to test the packaging material to ensure it does not contain hazardous materials that are harmful to consumers. Certain chemicals in packaging can affect the taste, flavor, or aroma of the food.
Food-grade kraft paper pouches have to be in accordance with the Food Safety Act of 1990. Manufacturers have to ensure that food-grade kraft pouches do not contain toxic materials.
3) Sizes and Dimensions for Kraft Paper Pouches
The size or dimension of your kraft paper pouch depends on your specifications and your manufacturer. The dimensions of the kraft pouch are usually between 70*100+30mm to 300*450+120mm. The thickness of your pouch is also dependent on your requirements but is usually between 70 microns and 200 microns ( 2.5 mils to 8 mils).
10. Conclusion
The above is our introduction to kraft paper bags, I hope that after reading this article you can better understand kraft paper bags. At Hezcypak, we offer a range of Kraft paper pouches that come in different designs and configurations. Besides, we guarantee high quality and competitive prices.