Hi everyone, how are you! It’s Andrea from The Cottage Market and I am so happy to be here with you once again! I have a quick and easy DIY or should I say technique. Today we are going to learn how to print on brown paper bags in two different ways. First on brown paper from the grocery bags and then on little brown lunch bags. It’s quick…easy and FUN! Oh and did I mention budget friendly! Then the next time we meet…I will show you some fun ways to use the brown paper bags that I know you will enjoy! Stay tuned for more printing and wrapping fun!
Here is what you will need: A printer…scissors…brown paper bag… a sheet of regular computer paper and tape.
Make a 5×10 inch document in Photoshop or the image editing program of your choice, center the image and text. There are so many possibilities…just think of all of The Graphics Fairy images { I used the Bat Costume Lady Image}…you can add text…different images for all kinds of occasions…you can use these as favors and much much more…like I said…we are going to take a look at some of the possibilities next time.
Once you have your image ready… you will turn your bag with the flap side down and tape your bag to a regular piece of computer paper. Don’t use a crazy strong tape…light scotch tape or even painters tape will work great. We don’t want it really strong because we have to peel the bag from that paper after the printing. I tried printing the bag with other methods…but this is the one that was HIGHLY successful each and every time…no jams…no crooked prints and that is what we want.
Now depending on what kind of printer you have…load it accordingly and press print
Remove from the printer
Remove the tape and viola! A printed bag!
You can also print on brown paper from a regular grocery bag (this is a fun Green Crafting Technique!) using the same exact method…cut brown paper bag down to about 8X10…tape the paper to a regular piece of computer paper
Load your printer accordingly and hit print
Your print comes out!
Take the tape off and you can create tags…small sheets of wrapping paper and so much more! Once again…just think of all the graphics you can work with.
So there are two different How to Print on Paper Bags Ideas for you. Oh and in case you missed it…last time we went over How to Print on Brown Tissue Paper! Also, be sure and check out How to Print on Fabric as well! And to learn about What Printers are the Best for Crafting click HERE, for an informative post!
How to use Printed Paper Bags
There are so many possibilities with these Printed Paper Bags! The ones I made would make adorable treat bag party favors for a Halloween Party. Just fill them up with candy, or little prizes, and add a cute bow or ribbon on the top! You don’t have to do a Halloween theme either, you could print Christmas Pictures or Easter Pictures or any other favorite holiday and fill with treats for those holidays as well. You could also print a special Birthday message and pack your kids lunch in it for their birthday. For the larger bags, you can make tags or collage fodder for your collage or mixed media projects or Junk Journals. And of course you don’t have to print on Kraft Paper Bags, you can print on white bags or other colors too. And you could use color ink instead of black ink. I’m sure you will think of so many ways to vary these up!
If you want to visit me before we meet again…just drop by The Cottage Market…it’s where I hang out!
Hugs…
Andrea
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Daria says
I love the vintage picture you used. The Victorian Era is a favorite of mine.
I’ve tried the method of taping the top of the paper bag to the copy paper and my printer gets jammed with half eating the copy paper and just swallowing the paper bag. Other than that my printer hasn’t recognized the paper when I try to print. Do you have any suggestions for me or is my printer just not paper bag friendly?
graphicsfairy says
Hmmm, I’ve never had that problem Daria, perhaps try taping the sides as well? Good luck and fingers crossed 🙂
Krizhelle says
May I ask what is the brand of printer you used for this? I am thinking to buy a printer that can actually print on paper bags.
graphicsfairy says
Here is a link to a post I wrote about my favorite printer which I use for this craft , https://thegraphicsfairy.com/the-best-printers-for-crafting/
I hope it helps 🙂
RoadToDaNature says
can i print kraft paper with any types of printer? The printer i got is for normal white A4 size paper. Can i use it to print kraft paper? Thanks 😛
graphicsfairy says
I am not sure, I don’t know your printer. You can call the manufacturer of your printer to ask them. Good luck!
Dionna says
FYI a quick warm iron will remove the crease line from the paper, especial on recycled bags.
graphicsfairy says
Great tip Dionna, thanks so much!
Veronica says
Would this be the same as printing on brown kraft paper? Can I use color also?
graphicsfairy says
You sure could Veronica! The possibilities are limitless 🙂 Have fun!
Veronica Murillo says
Thank you!!! 🙂
graphicsfairy says
It’s my pleasure 🙂
Bliss says
Once again when I’m looking for a “how to”, my Google takes me right to your doorstep! You.are.the.best.
graphicsfairy says
Thank you so much 🙂
Lara says
I just found your site, and I love it! This tutorial will come in very handy.
(P.S., you use “viola” ironically, yes?)
Thanks for the help! Can’t wait to try this out.
peggy gatto says
Thank you!!
Karen Watson says
You’re welcome Peggy!
Bliss says
The wrapping paper idea, excellent right now, why didn’t I think of that sooner. Pinned.
Karen Watson says
Woohoo!! Thanks for the pin! So glad you can use this one!!
lacyquilter says
This is awesome. I love recycling.
Karen Watson says
Me too! I’m glad you found it useful!
suzanne says
how do you get photo shop?
Karen Watson says
Hi Suzanne, you can buy it online at Adobe. Or you can use a great free program instead, called Picmonkey. You can find that at Picmonkey.com
Joy Darden says
You can use GIMP https://www.gimp.org/
While it doesn’t have everything Photoshop does, you really can’t beat the price.
Karen Watson says
Hi Joy, Thanks for sharing! We like Picmonkey, another free program, and easier to use than Gimp!
Julie says
Hello! I love this project! Its a great idea to be able to send little Trick or Treat bag to my grandkids and my fiber guild friends. Can you tell me the name of the graphic you used? Thanks!
Karen Watson says
Thanks Julie! I just linked the graphic for you in the post, it’s the Bat Costume Lady!