How to Decorate Brown Paper Bags for Christmas So the Design Shows and the Bag Lasts

Here is how to decorate brown paper bags for Christmas so the result looks good and stays useful, whether you are dressing up one plain bag or planning printed Christmas gift bags for a business. Use pigment ink, which sits on top of brown kraft instead of sinking in, and opaque paint markers. Keep heavy pieces near the handles. Tie on ribbons and tags rather than gluing them, so they come off. In the three US cities we checked, glitter, foil and ribbon stay out of the recycling cart, on gift bags or on wrap, and Seattle adds bags with handles, so plan the decoration with the bag’s next life in mind.

Choose Inks and Markers That Show on Brown Kraft

Brown kraft is darker than white paper, so the ink you choose decides whether the design shows.

• Pigment ink for stamps. Altenew, which makes ink pads, explains in its guide to pigment and dye ink that pigment ink is opaque and sits on top of the paper, and that lighter colors can be stamped on dark cardstock. Dye ink is translucent and absorbs into the paper. Pigment ink takes longer to dry, and Altenew says it is set with a heating tool.
• Paint markers for drawing and lettering. POSCA lists paper and cardboard among the materials its markers work on, and describes one of its paint markers as water based paint with opaque colors and strong coverage, permanent on porous surfaces.
• White, gold and light colors show clearly against brown when the ink or paint is opaque, because it covers the paper instead of mixing with it.

Test any ink or marker on the bottom of the bag before you start on the front.

Christmas Decoration Ideas for a Brown Paper Bag

1. Stamped pattern. Stamp snowflakes, trees or stars in white or gold pigment ink. Scatter them, or run a row along the bottom edge. Let the ink dry fully, or heat set it, before you touch it.
2. Hand lettering. Write “Merry Christmas” or the recipient’s name with a paint marker. Pencil the words in lightly first so the spacing works.
3. Paper cut outs. Cut trees, stars or candy canes from colored paper and glue them flat. Layer two sizes for depth.
4. A tied tag. Punch a card tag, write the name and tie it to a handle. It replaces a sticker and comes off cleanly.
5. Ribbon on the handles. Tie a bow at the base of a handle rather than gluing ribbon across the front.
6. Greenery. Tuck a sprig of greenery or a cinnamon stick behind the bow so it sits near the handles.
7. Glitter or foil accents. If you want sparkle, put it on the tag or on a cut out you tie on, not on the bag itself. The recycling table below shows why.

Keep Heavy Pieces Near the Handles

A decorated bag still has to carry a gift. Lazada’s stationery guide, a Singapore marketplace’s buying advice, recommends a kraft bag of at least 120 gsm. It suggests grouping decorations at the base of the handles, the front center or the top edge. It warns that too many heavy pieces in the center can make the paper cave inward. If the bag feels front heavy, it suggests a piece of heavy cardboard in the base.

What Each Decoration Does to Recycling

Local programs decide what goes in a recycling cart, and they do not all agree. Here is what three US cities say on their own holiday pages:

Sources: Seattle Public Utilities, December 2025; the City of Portland, December 2025; the City of Austin, December 2019.

Portland explains why ribbon causes trouble: ribbon, yarn and cords “get tangled in the machines that sort recyclables.” Seattle offers a quick test: if it tears easily like paper, it is likely recyclable. Rules change, so check your own city’s page before the holidays.

Foil stamping on printed packaging is a separate question from foil gift wrap. Our guide to what foil stamping is covers the foil industry’s own view on recycling it, but your local cart rules still decide what goes in your bin.

Reuse the Bag First

The EPA’s recycling guidance encourages people to reuse gift bags, boxes and tissue paper. It also notes that paper gift wrap with a shiny or laminated coating often cannot be recycled. A bag decorated with tied ribbons and tags is easy to reuse: untie the extras, and the bag is ready for another gift.

Custom Printed Paper Gift Bags for Your Business

If you give branded gifts or sell during the holidays, decorating many bags by hand takes time. Custom Boxes Deals makes custom paper gift bags, including Christmas gift bags and holiday gift bags. Tell us the size, quantity and artwork you have in mind, and we will confirm the options at quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use to decorate a brown paper bag for Christmas?

Stamps in pigment ink, paint markers, paper cut outs, tied tags, ribbon on the handles and a sprig of greenery. Choose opaque, light colors so they show on brown.

What markers show up on brown paper?

Opaque paint markers. POSCA describes one of its paint markers as water based paint with opaque colors, permanent on porous surfaces. Test light colors on the bottom of the bag first.

Can you recycle a decorated paper gift bag?

It depends on your city and the decorations. Seattle puts gift bags with handles or with foil or glitter in the trash, while Portland accepts gift bags made only of paper. Check your local program.

Does glitter stop a paper bag from being recycled?

In Seattle and Portland, glitter decorated gift bags go in the trash, and Austin does not accept glitter wrapping paper. Put glitter on a removable tag instead.

How do I stop decorations from making the bag sag?

Keep heavy pieces near the handles or the top edge, not the middle. If the bag tips forward, add a piece of heavy cardboard in the base.

Anthony Kim

Hello, I'm Anthony Kim, a seasoned packaging consultant and designer. With a professional journey spanning over four years, I've evolved from a budding designer to a recognized expert in the field. Currently holding the position of Packaging Consultant, I've honed my skills in creating not just visually stunning packaging but also solutions that align with strategic business goals.

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