Folding a small gift bag of wrapping paper

From a rectangular sheet packing paper you can make a simple bag for a small, light gift. This is practical if there is no matching gift bag or if the packaging is to receive a personal design. Plan size, floor and closure in advance. A self-adhesive paper bag has no tested load capacity and is not a shipping packaging.

Choose material and size to match the gift

You need packing paper, scissors, a ruler and a adhesive or adhesive tape suitable for paper. Optionally, a pendant and a ribbon are added. Use a clean bow without damaged spots. Thicker paper keeps the shape lighter, but can be processed more heavily due to tight folds. For small bags, a sample first helps.

Place the object on the bow and consider its width and height as well as its depth. For the adhesive seam, the floor and a flipped top edge you need additional paper. A gift should be pushed in later without force. If it is difficult or has sharp edges, choose a ready-made, suitable bag.

Side seam and close the ground carefully

Merge the two long sides of the bow, creating a tube with overlapping seam. Glue this seam evenly and let it dry according to manufacturer’s specification. Then fold the lower part upwards. Open the fold to a diamond-shaped surface and place the opposite tips with a sufficient overlap inside.

Glue the bottom without accidentally sticking the bag together inside. An additional, matchingly cut cardboard insert can make the floor level for light gifts. However, it does not replace a durable floor structure. Gently press the folds and place the empty bag. All seams must be closed and completely dry before filling them.

Test the edge, closure and handling

Turn the top edge inside to make it look clean. To close, you can fold the edge several times and fasten it with a small paper strip. A punched hole for a tape should lie at a distance from the edge. Unreinforced paper holes are not suitable as durable carrying handles; carry the bag from below.

Try the finished packaging first with an insensitive object. Check the ground and the side seam on open areas. Food may only enter directly if the paper used and the adhesive are suitable for this contact; otherwise an appropriate inner packaging remains necessary. For shipping, place the gift in a separate, sufficiently stable outer packaging.