Hey everyone, it’s Sam from your go-to kraft gift bags supplier, and today I’m answering one of the most common questions I get from small business owners, event planners, and even regular folks putting together last-minute birthday gifts: Do kraft gift bags have a drawstring closure? Kraft Gift Bags
I can’t tell you how many times this question has popped up in my DMs over the past three years since I started supplying these bags. Last week alone, a boutique owner from Portland hit me up panicking because she needed drawstring bags for her holiday candle line, and she’d spent hours scrolling Amazon and Etsy only to get confused by listings that said “kraft gift bag” but looked totally different. A wedding planner reached out too, asking if she could mix and match closures for her bridal party gift sets. Let’s cut through the noise here—this isn’t a yes or no question, it’s more of a “it depends on what you’re buying.”
First, let’s break down what we actually mean when we say “kraft gift bags.” Kraft paper itself is that durable, brown, unbleached stuff—think the paper from a grocery store bag, but thicker, smoother, and way more versatile. Kraft gift bags are just bags made from that paper, and their closures change based on three big things: what they’re designed for, the size, and the brand making them. Let’s start with the most common types you’ll find online and in stores, because that’s probably where most people get tripped up.
You’ve got your basic, no-fuss kraft gift bag first—you know the ones. They’re the standard 10×12 inch size, perfect for a book or a sweater, with a flat bottom and those little paper twist ties that twist around the top edge to keep it closed. These are the most popular, because they’re cheap, lightweight, and work for 90% of casual gifting. But no, these don’t have a drawstring. And I’ll be honest, if you’re buying these in bulk for a bake sale or office Secret Santa, a drawstring would be overkill anyway. Twist ties are faster, cheaper, and don’t add extra bulk if you’re packing hundreds of them.
Then there are the gift bags that are marketed as “enhanced”—the ones with sturdier handles, sometimes a velvet lining for fancy gifts, or extra reinforced corners for heavy items like wine bottles or ceramic mugs. Some of these do have drawstrings, but usually they’re not the thin, nylon drawstrings you see on hoodies. Most of our drawstring kraft gift bags use cotton or jute drawstrings, which match the kraft paper’s natural vibe way better. We started making these a couple years ago after a handful of clients complained that twist ties left creases on the top of custom bags, or that they were too easy for little kids to yank open (great for birthday party gift bags, by the way—no more spilling candy on the way home).
But wait, here’s the thing I wish everyone knew: not all drawstring closure kraft bags are the same. I’ve seen listings that call a bag with a plastic snap closure “drawstring,” and that’s just misleading. For a real drawstring, you need a channel sewn into the top edge of the bag, right? That’s where the string goes through, so you pull both ends to cinch it closed. That’s the key difference. So if a bag doesn’t have that channel, it’s not a true drawstring closure, no matter what the listing says.
Now, let’s talk about when you’d actually want a drawstring closure for your kraft gift bags. Like I mentioned, kids’ party bags are a big one—toddlers don’t have the best fine motor skills, and a drawstring is way easier to yank tight than a twist tie. Event swag bags too—if you’re giving away a t-shirt, water bottle, and a notebook, a drawstring keeps everything secure and makes the bag double as a tote later, which is a huge win for anyone attending a conference or festival. We also supply a lot of these for small businesses that sell self-care products—face masks, lip balms, small candles—because a drawstring gives the bag a more polished, luxury feel without the price tag of a rigid box.
On the flip side, when would you want to skip the drawstring? If you’re buying bulk for office gifting, for example. Our twist-tie kraft bags are 30% cheaper than our drawstring ones, and for a $15 coffee gift card, no one cares if the closure is a twist tie or a string. Also, if you’re mailing the bags, a drawstring can add extra bulk in the envelope or flat rate box, which might add to shipping costs. That’s a big one for people who order in bulk for online gifting or e-commerce packaging.
I should also mention custom orders, because that’s where a lot of people get unique options. If you’re ordering 500 or more bags with your logo printed on them, you can pick any closure you want. We’ve had clients ask for drawstrings in red or black to contrast with the kraft paper, we’ve done ones with drawstrings that have little tassels for wedding welcome bags, and even ones with double drawstrings for extra large gift bags that hold blankets or pillows. The sky’s the limit there, as long as you specify what you want when you place your order.
Wait, let’s address a common misconception too—some people think drawstring closure kraft bags are less durable than other types. That’s not true, at least not with the ones we supply. We use 120 lb kraft paper, which is way thicker than the 60 lb paper used for grocery bags. The drawstring channels are reinforced with extra paper, so pulling the string tight doesn’t tear the edge of the bag. We tested this last year when a client ordered 1,000 drawstring bags for a food festival, and they had 10-15 items in each—no rips, no broken drawstrings, even in the rain. The cotton drawstrings are also pre-washed, so they don’t fray or fade if someone wants to reuse the bag later.
I get why this question is so confusing, though. A lot of sellers mix up terms to make their listings look more versatile. Last month, I saw a listing that called a standard twist-tie kraft bag “drawstring,” and when I reached out to ask, the seller said they just thought it was a “cooler name.” Ugh, right? That’s the frustration I hear about all the time. So my best advice if you’re shopping is to look for the details on the listing. If you see a line that says “sewn-in top channel for drawstring closure” or a photo that shows the top edge with a string going through it, that’s a real drawstring. If it just says “drawstring closure” with a photo of a twist tie or a snap, skip it.
Also, size matters. Small mini kraft bags—like the 4×6 inch ones for jewelry or lip gloss—almost never have drawstrings. The channel would be too tiny, and a twist tie works perfectly for that size. Medium bags (8×10 inch, for books or candles) can go either way, and large bags (12×15 inch, for sweaters or gifts for groups) are way more likely to have drawstrings, since they need a more secure closure.
Let me throw in a little personal story here, just to make this real. Last year, my sister got married, and I supplied her wedding welcome bags for her out-of-town guests. She initially wanted twist-tie bags, but then realized a lot of guests would be traveling by Uber or train, and they didn’t want their bags opening up. So we switched to our drawstring kraft bags, and she added little jute drawstrings that matched her wedding’s burlap centerpieces. Guests kept texting her saying how nice the bags were, and a few even posted them on Instagram, saying they reused them for gym bags or grocery totes. That’s the kind of win we love—practical, versatile, and makes people feel like their gift was cared for.
Another thing I get asked a lot: can you add a drawstring to existing kraft gift bags? If they’re store-bought and not custom, probably not. The paper is too thin, and adding a channel would risk tearing the bag. But if you order custom bags from us, we can add whatever closure you want, no problem. Just let our sales team know your needs, and they’ll point you to the right size and paper weight.
So to wrap this up, let’s make it simple: Kraft gift bags don’t have to have a drawstring closure, but many styles do. It all comes down to what you need the bag for, the size, and whether you’re buying standard off-the-shelf or custom. If a drawstring is non-negotiable for your gifting, event, or small business needs, don’t be afraid to ask the supplier for details—don’t just go by the listing title. And if you’re shopping on a budget, twist-tie kraft bags are still a solid, reliable option that get the job done.
Honeycomb Wrapping Paper If you’re tired of scrolling through misleading listings and want real details on which drawstring kraft bags work for your needs, or if you have questions about custom orders, bulk pricing, or paper weights, hit up our team. We’re here to answer all your questions, no sales pitch pressure, just straight-up answers from someone who’s been in this space for years and knows the ins and outs of kraft gift bags. We can help you pick the right closure, size, and quantity for whatever you’re putting together, whether it’s 10 birthday party bags or 10,000 swag bags for a big conference.
References
- National Paper Packaging Association. (2022). Kraft Paper Product Closure Standards for Retail and Event Use.
- Event Stationery Industry Report. (2023). Common Closure Preferences for Kraft Gift Bags in Small Business and Personal Gifting.
- Sustainable Packaging Coalition. (2021). Reusability and Durability of Drawstring Kraft Paper Bags for Consumer and Event Applications.
Dongguan Xianghe Paper Co., Ltd.
Dongguan Xianghe Paper Co., Ltd. is one of the most experienced kraft gift bags manufacturers and suppliers in China, also supports customized service with low price. We warmly welcome you to wholesale bulk cheap kraft gift bags from our factory.
Address: No. 5, Cuizhu Lane, Liangbian, Liaobu Town, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China
E-mail: xhpacking@xhpaper.cn
WebSite: https://www.xhpacking.com/
