Best Paper Bags for Takeaway Food: Types, Sizes & Where to Buy

What Are the Best Paper Bags for Takeaway Food?

The best paper bags for takeaway food are kraft SOS block bottom bags for full meal orders and flat kraft strung bags for lighter counter items like pastries, fruit, and confectionery. SOS bags are made from 80gsm kraft paper and stand upright on their own, while strung bags use 37gsm paper built for speed at busy counters.

SOS bags are stocked in three sizes (small, medium, and large) and come in either brown or white kraft. Both colours are equally durable and equally recyclable, so the choice between them is purely a brand decision: brown for a natural, unbleached look; white for a cleaner, more polished finish. Strung bags come in four standard sizes for everything from a single pastry to a fruit-and-veg counter order.

Below is a breakdown of when to use each format, the right size to order, and where to buy.

Kraft Paper SOS Block Bottom Bags

Kraft paper SOS block bottom bags are commonly used by restaurants,
cafes, and takeaway shops.

Kraft paper SOS block bottom bags are the most widely used paper bags across cafés, canteens, takeaway shops, and restaurants. The "SOS" name (Self-Opening Sack) tells you everything about how they work: a wide, flat base that lets the bag stand upright on its own once opened. That self-standing feature alone makes packing faster, neater, and far less frustrating during a busy service.

SOS Bag Sizes

Globe Packaging's SOS block bottom bags come in small, medium, and large sizes, covering everything from a single snack order to a packed family meal. Choosing the right size prevents overstuffing (which stresses the seams) and understuffing (which means your branding gets lost in a bag that's too big for the order).

Brown vs. White Kraft SOS Bags: Which Should You Choose

Both brown and white SOS bags are available in the same sizes and made from the same 80gsm recycled kraft paper, so the choice is largely about your brand aesthetic. Brown kraft has that natural, unbleached look that communicates sustainability without saying a word. White kraft is bleached for a cleaner finish and tends to suit cafés and delis with a more polished brand identity. Neither is more eco-friendly than the other in any meaningful way, so let your brand do the talking.

Flat Kraft Strung Bags: Best for Counter Service & Light Items

Flat kraft strung bags work for lighter and drier items like fruit, pastries, or single-snack orders.

Not every takeaway order needs a heavy-duty SOS bag. For lighter, drier items served quickly across a counter (pastries, fruit, confectionery, or a single wrapped snack), a flat kraft-strung bag is the smarter, more cost-effective choice. They're lighter, simpler in construction, and perfectly suited to high-volume counter service where speed matters.

Kraft Paper Strung Bag Sizes

Globe Packaging stocks flat kraft strung bags in four industry-standard sizes: 7 x 7 inches, 8.5 x 8.5 inches, 10 x 10 inches, and 12.5 x 12.5 inches, held in stock and ready for next-day delivery on orders placed before 4 pm to the UK mainland. 

Choosing the right size here follows the same logic as with Kraft Paper SOS Block Bottom Bags: match the bag to the typical order size you're serving. 

A bag that's too large looks sloppy and wastes material. A bag that's too small puts unnecessary strain on the seams and risks tearing mid-carry. When in doubt, size up by one, as it's always better to have a little room than none at all.

Why 37gsm Works for Fruit, Veg, & Confectionery

The 37gsm weight of the flat-strung bags is intentional. For dry, lightweight goods like loose fruit, vegetables, or bagged sweets, 37gsm recycled kraft paper delivers exactly the right level of tear resistance without the unnecessary bulk of a heavier grade. 

These bags are easy to pull open quickly, simple to load at speed, and still offer solid performance for their intended use case. Pushing heavier or moisture-rich foods into a 37gsm bag, however, is where things go wrong, and that's when you need the 80gsm SOS format instead.

Paper Bags for Takeaway Food: Summary Table

Order Your Kraft Takeaway Bags From Globe Packaging

If you need Kraft SOS or flat-strung bags, order now from Globe Packaging. 

Picking the right paper bag comes down to two things: matching the format to the order and matching the size to the volume. Get those right, and your packaging carries its weight from counter to customer without buckling or wasting stock.

Ready to stock up? We hold both kraft SOS and flat-strung bags in every size, ready for next-day working delivery to the UK mainland. Place your order with us before 4 pm, and we'll ship it the same day.

Shop for paper bags for takeaway food at Globe Packaging today!

*Note: Product listings, prices, and delivery times shown are approximate and subject to change. Contact Globe Packaging for the latest information.