Paper Bags for Bakeries: SOS, Flat and Satchel Sizes

Paper bags for bakeries come in three main styles: SOS bags (square bottom, stand-up) for pastries, rolls and cakes, a bread satchel for long loaves, and small flat or satchel bags for single items. Packery sells all of them wholesale by the carton, with delivery to Melbourne and the rest of Australia, from $0.01 each for the smallest satchel up to $0.41 each for the largest SOS bag.

Key takeaways

• For loaves, the Kraft Bag – S. Bread Satchel (Carton of 500) is 380x152x89mm at $0.05 each.
• For a single croissant, cookie or slice, the Kraft Bag – 2WB Flat (Carton of 500) is 200x200mm at $0.02 each.
• SOS bags run from No.4 (127x77x235mm, $0.05 each in brown) up to No.25 (540x360x165mm, $0.41 each).
• Most bags in this range can be custom printed with your logo.
• No minimum order; every product page shows the carton price and the price per item.

What paper bag styles do bakeries use?

Bakeries mostly use four styles: SOS bags, satchel bags, flat bags and handle bags. Each one suits a different part of the counter.

• SOS bags have a flat, square base, so they open and stand on the counter while you fill them. They suit mixed orders of pastries, rolls, muffins or a boxed cake slice.
• Satchel bags have a gusseted side and a flat profile. The bread satchel is the long one for loaves; the white satchel is a small bag for a single item.
• Flat bags have no gusset at all. They are the quickest to fill for one flat item, like a cookie, a slice or a croissant.
• Handle bags are carry bags for larger orders, catering trays or customers buying several boxes at once.

If you also wrap greasy or buttery items, see our guide to greaseproof paper bags.

Which bag suits bread, pastries and cakes?

For bread, start with the bread satchel; for pastries, use flat bags or the smaller SOS sizes; for cakes and larger mixed orders, move up to the bigger SOS bags or a handle bag. The sizes below are taken straight from the product listings, so measure your longest loaf and widest cake box against them before you order.

• Bread: The Kraft Bag – S. Bread Satchel (Carton of 500) is 380x152x89mm, brown paper, $23.65 per carton. For wider loaves or several rolls, the No.16 SOS bag (240x120x390mm) is the next option.
• Pastries and single items: The Kraft Bag – 2WB Flat (Carton of 500) is 200x200mm, $9.05 per carton. The Bag – White 1SO Satchel (Carton of 500) is 175x102x51mm, $7.12 per carton, $0.01 each.
• A few pastries or rolls: The No.4 Bag – Brown SOS (Carton of 2000) at 127x77x235mm, or the No.6 Bag – White SOS (Carton of 2000) at 150x90x270mm.
• Cakes and larger orders: The No.12 Bag – White SOS (Carton of 1000) at 178x112x330mm, up to the No.25 Bag – Brown SOS (Carton of 100) at 540x360x165mm.

What sizes and prices are available?

The SOS range runs from No.4 to No.25, and price per bag rises with size, from $0.05 each to $0.41 each. Brown and white are both listed in the No.4 and No.16 sizes.

Carton sizes differ a lot across the range, from 100 bags to 2000 bags, so compare the price per bag rather than the carton price when you are choosing between sizes.

Brown or white: does colour matter?

Colour is a presentation choice; the brown and white versions of the same SOS size share the same dimensions and material. In the No.4 size, brown is $0.05 each and white is $0.06 each; in the No.16 size, both are $0.18 each.

Brown paper suits a rustic, artisan look and sits well alongside a brown handle bag. White gives a cleaner look and a brighter base if you plan to print a logo. Most of the bags in the table are available for custom printing; see custom print and our guide to printed paper bags.

Which one should I buy?

Match the bag to what leaves your counter most often. These are the products to start with for common bakery setups.

• Sourdough or artisan bread bakery: the Kraft Bag – S. Bread Satchel (Carton of 500) for loaves, plus the No.16 SOS bag for wider loaves and bundles of rolls.
• Café counter with pastries and cookies: the Kraft Bag – 2WB Flat (Carton of 500) for single items, and the No.6 Bag – White SOS (Carton of 2000) when a customer buys two or three.
• Cake shop or patisserie: the No.12 Bag – White SOS (Carton of 1000) for slices and small boxes, and the No.25 Bag – Brown SOS (Carton of 100) for larger boxed orders.
• Bakery doing catering or bulk orders: the Kraft Bag – Brown Twisted Handle Takeaway Medium (Carton of 250), 305x305x175mm, recycled paper, $0.20 each, so customers can carry several items together.
• Market stall or high-volume counter: the No.4 Bag – Brown SOS (Carton of 2000) at $0.04 each for small single-item sales.

The full range, including larger handle bags and the black deluxe takeaway bag, is on the bags page.

How do I order paper bags?

You can order online with no minimum order, and every product page shows the carton price and price per item. Delivery is a flat fee set by your postcode, and free once an order passes a set amount; checkout shows the exact cost, and today's rates are on the shipping page. Delivery takes 3–5 business days to capital cities, including Melbourne, and 4–6 business days regional. All orders are prepaid online.

Returns: damaged or faulty items replaced or refunded free; unopened stock cartons can be returned within 7 days of delivery (10% restocking fee, return delivery at your cost). If you already know your sizes, use quick order to add several cartons at once.

See also: paper bag size chart: every paper bag we stock with its size and price per bag.

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No minimum order · free delivery over $750 (metro) / $1000 (regional) · damaged items replaced free · Delivery details