Custom Sandwich Bags

From the Deli Board to the Grab-and-Go Cooler

A sandwich is assembled in under a minute and often sold within the hour, but how it is handed over still matters. A turkey club slid into a printed bag looks like a product; the same sandwich wrapped in plain film looks like leftovers. Custom sandwich bags give delis, cafés and sandwich shops a quick, branded way to package everything from a breakfast bagel to a footlong sub.

They suit several kinds of business. Delis and sandwich shops make to order at the counter. Coffee shops sell ready-made sandwiches from a chilled case. Convenience stores, hospital cafés and university food courts stock grab-and-go coolers. Caterers make platters and individual lunches, and bakeries sell sandwiches on their own bread. Food trucks hand out panini and wraps at the window.

The key choice is whether the bag is the only wrap or an outer layer. A cold sandwich on firm bread can go straight into a paper bag. A saucy sub, a hot panini or anything with tomato and dressing is better wrapped first in sandwich paper and then bagged, so moisture stays off the print.

Bag Shapes for Different Sandwiches

Sandwiches come in very different shapes, and a bag that suits a square triangle-cut sandwich is no use for a hoagie. Measure your two or three main formats and choose a shape for each.

White paper looks fresh and lets a window frame the colors of the filling. Kraft suits a rustic deli or bakery and hides small marks from oil and mayonnaise. Both are food-contact papers that meet FDA requirements, with recyclable options available.

Bread choice affects the bag as well. Soft sliced bread stays tidy in a flat bag, while crusty ciabatta and baguette shed crumbs and have sharp ends that can catch on a window. Toasted sandwiches release steam, and a croissant sandwich leaves butter marks. If your menu leans toward crusty or toasted breads, choose kraft, make the bag a little roomier than the sandwich and keep the window away from the corners. For soft breads in a cold case, white paper with a large window shows the sandwich off best.

Branding a Sandwich Bag

Sandwich bags are small and often seen in a cooler at eye level among other products. Keep your logo high and clear, and leave a spot for a label that names the sandwich. Grab-and-go buyers decide in seconds, and the filling name is what they look for first, followed by price.

• A die-cut or PVC window over the cut face of the sandwich sells it better than any photo.
• Leave a blank panel on the front for a printed label with the filling, allergens and date.
• Use one bold PMS (Pantone) color so the cooler shelf looks consistent from a distance.
• A matte finish keeps labels readable under cooler lights.
• Print a short line about your bread or ingredients on the back, where people look while eating.

Delis that wrap first and bag second can carry the design into the inner layer too. Our printed custom sandwich wrapping paper uses the same artwork on the paper that touches the bread.

Packing Sandwiches for Service

Cut the sandwich, wrap it if it is wet or hot, then slide it into the bag cut face toward the window. For grab-and-go, label and date each bag as soon as it is filled, then move it into the cooler. Rotate stock so the oldest sandwiches sit at the front.

Hot sandwiches need to breathe. A panini sealed in a closed bag turns soft in minutes, so leave the top open or folded loosely for a short walk. Store unused bags flat and dry, away from the steam table and the toaster. For catering, a printed tray holds a stack of bagged sandwiches neatly; custom printed sandwich trays are made for that, and each guest can take one bag from the tray.

Ordering Branded Sandwich Bags

1. Measure your main sandwich formats, including the largest sub you sell.
2. Choose shapes, white or kraft paper, and whether you want a window.
3. Send your logo and decide where labels will go.
4. Ask for a free sample and fill it with a real sandwich from the line.
5. Approve the proof; production takes 4 to 6 business days after approval.

Orders start at 100 bags per design with volume discounts beyond that. Free design help, free samples and free shipping to the USA, Canada, the UK and Australia are included. Send your sizes through our free sandwich bag quote request.