Custom Printed Chip Bags in Greaseproof and Kraft Paper

What is a chip bag?

A chip bag is a flat paper pouch, sealed down one side and across the bottom, with one end left open. You flick it open, scoop in the chips and hand it over.

There is no folding, no tucking and no lid. That makes it the quickest way to serve a portion when the queue reaches the door.

The photos above show plain kraft pouches and a newsprint-style pattern. They also show a kraft bag with a bold logo and a greaseproof bag printed in red with a repeating word.

Who orders printed chip bags?

Bags suit counters where chips are eaten soon after serving, or tucked into a bigger carrier with the rest of the meal.

They also suit anyone short of space. A carton of flat bags takes up a fraction of the shelf that the same number of formed boxes would need.

• Fish and chip shops serving open portions at the counter
• Burger bars adding fries to a meal in a carrier bag
• Kebab shops serving chips alongside a wrap
• Food vans that need packaging that takes little storage
• Snack kiosks at parks, piers and leisure centres
• Pubs serving chips at outdoor hatch counters

Greaseproof or kraft: which paper is best for chips?

Hot chips release oil, and plain paper soaks it up. Within minutes a dark patch spreads across the bag, which looks messy in a customer's hand.

Greaseproof paper resists that oil for much longer, so prints stay clean. Kraft paper is stronger and has a natural brown look, and a grease-resistant coating on request helps it cope with oil.

Food-contact materials are offered on request for chip bags, and we set out the paper you have chosen on the quote.

If you are unsure, order a short run of each paper and compare them after ten minutes with a hot portion inside.

What size chip bag do I need?

Measure the bag flat, width first, then height. A bag around 150 x 180 mm is a common size for a regular portion of fries.

Thick chippy chips need more width than skinny fries, because they do not pack together. If you serve both, order two widths rather than one oversized bag.

Leave about 30 mm of empty paper above the chips. That spare band lets the customer fold the top over to keep heat in on the walk home.

If chips are served with a wooden fork, add 20 mm to the height so the fork handle stays clear of the food.

Will chips go soggy in a paper bag?

Paper lets some steam pass through, which helps. Chips in a paper bag stay drier than chips sealed in a closed carton for the same time.

The weak point is a bag folded tightly shut. Trapped steam softens the batter and the chips, so tell customers to keep the top loose if they eat within ten minutes.

Salt and vinegar adds moisture too. Shake on vinegar before bagging, not after, so it soaks into the chips rather than pooling at the bottom seam.

Hot chips straight from the fryer are at their crispest for a few minutes. A bag that breathes keeps that window open a little longer than a sealed box.

How do I print a chip bag well?

Chip bags have two printable faces, front and back. Repeat patterns are popular because they look right whichever way the bag is held.

Plain, one colour, two colour and full colour CMYK print are all possible. One colour on brown greaseproof is the classic chippy style, while full colour on white suits bright brand artwork.

Keep logos away from the side seam and the bottom fold, where print can crack. For more pointers on safe zones, our food packaging artwork guide walks through the basics.

Bagging chips quickly at the counter

A simple routine keeps chip bags clean and fast during a rush. Train new staff on it in their first shift.

1. Keep a small stack of bags beside the chip scuttle, open end towards you.
2. Flick the bag open with one hand and hold it at the side seam.
3. Scoop chips in with the other hand and stop 30 mm from the top.
4. Season while the bag is still open, then hand it over upright.
5. If the bag goes into a carrier, place it on top so nothing crushes it.

Common mistakes with chip bags

These are the slips that make a cheap, fast format look poor.

• Using plain uncoated paper that turns see-through with oil
• Ordering one bag size for both kids' and large portions
• Folding the top tight shut, which steams the chips
• Placing the logo on the seam, where it splits
• Expecting a bag to carry loaded toppings that need a fork

Can a chip bag carry the brand on its own?

For many small shops, the chip bag is the item customers see most. It leaves the counter in a hand, gets photographed at the beach and ends up on social feeds.

A repeating pattern in one strong colour makes the bag recognisable from across a car park. It also hides small oil marks better than a large block of plain colour.

If your menu changes often, keep the artwork about the business, not a single dish. Your name, a simple mark and a short line about where you are based will last for years of reorders.

Matching the bag to your cups, cones or wrapping paper ties the whole order together. Customers then see one brand from the first bite to the last.

When should I use a box instead of a bag?

Bags are best for plain chips eaten within a short walk. Delivery orders and loaded fries need a stiffer pack.

For chips that travel by car or scooter, a printed chip scoop box keeps its shape in a stacked delivery bag. Many shops order both and use each for a different job.

How do I order printed chip bags?

Send us your bag sizes, paper type, print colours and an idea of quantities. Quantities are quoted per order. Prices start from £0.25 per unit and are always confirmed on a written quote before you commit.

We prepare a free design proof, and our designers help with layout at no charge. Once you approve the proof, production takes 4–6 business days. Bags are then sent with free tracked delivery to UK addresses, arriving in 2–3 business days.

If anything is misprinted or arrives damaged, report it within 10 days with photos and we will reprint or refund.