Donut bag plays a key role in preserving freshness, enhancing presentation and supporting strong branding for bakeries, cafes and grab and go retailers. The right donut bag prevents grease seepage, protects toppings, and keeps pastries appealing while also meeting food safety and sustainability expectations. Whether you use simple greaseproof paper bags or custom printed windowed bags, choosing the right packaging format helps elevate customer experience and streamline operations. This guide breaks down the different types of donut bags, materials, sizes and design options to help businesses make the best choice for their product and brand identity.
Types of Donut Bag
Greaseproof Paper Donut Bag
Greaseproof paper donut bags are the most common option used in bakeries and coffee shops because they provide reliable oil resistance without adding plastic layers. They are typically made from food grade greaseproof paper ranging from 30 to 40 gsm, which prevents oil stains from glazing, fried coating or fillings. Popular sizes include small single donut bags (around 4.5 x 6 inches), medium bags for two or three donuts (about 5 x 7 inches), and larger bags for pastries or mini donuts.
Pros: lightweight, low cost, printable, eco friendly appearance and good for high turnover bakery counters.
Cons: limited rigidity, moderate moisture resistance and not ideal for warm donuts that release steam.
Kraft Donut Bag (Brown Kraft Paper)
Kraft donut bags use unbleached brown kraft paper, prized for its natural, rustic and eco forward appearance. Thickness ranges from 35 to 50 gsm, giving the bag a slightly sturdier feel than white greaseproof paper. Kraft donut bags work well for artisan bakeries and brands that want a handcrafted, natural look.
Printing options include single color flexo for minimalist branding, or full color print for custom artwork. Kraft’s earthy tone complements simple logo designs and gives an instant premium bakery aesthetic.
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Windowed Donut Bag (Clear Window)
Windowed donut bags feature a transparent panel that showcases the donut inside, which significantly boosts impulse purchases in retail environments. The window is typically made from PLA (compostable plant based film) or PET. PLA offers better sustainability claims while PET provides crystal clear visibility and higher tear strength.
Windowed bags help customers see glaze, toppings and freshness, but the window material affects recyclability if it cannot be separated from the paper. For environmentally focused brands, PLA windows or paper only formats help keep sustainability messaging consistent.
Foil Lined Donut Bag and Heat Retaining Bags
Foil lined donut bags are ideal for warm donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts or items coming straight from the fryer. The foil lining helps retain heat for short periods and prevents oil from soaking through. These bags are commonly used for takeaway, food trucks or fairs where customers expect warm pastries. The advantage is better heat retention and stronger barrier performance. The limitation is moisture buildup that can soften the donut if held too long and reduced recyclability due to mixed materials.
Stand Up Donut Pouch / Gusseted Donut Bag
Stand up donut pouches and gusseted donut bags provide extra room at the bottom, making them suitable for multiple donuts or mini donut portions. The gusset expands to increase capacity while maintaining stability on shelves. Many stand up pouches can feature resealable zippers, helping customers store leftovers. These pouches are effective for retail packaging, subscription donut boxes and pre packed bakery items. Their upright form also gives more space for branding and product information.
Cake Style Flat Bottom Donut Bag / Box Bag Hybrid
Flat bottom donut bags combine the convenience of a bag with the presentation quality of a small box. The square base allows the bag to stand upright while protecting delicate toppings or icing from being crushed. This style is favored for larger orders, gift packs or premium donuts sold at specialty bakeries. Hybrid box bags can also accommodate inserts or dividers for multiple donuts, enhancing perceived value.
Plastic or Biodegradable Film Donut Bags (PET, PLA, Cellulose)
Plastic and biodegradable film donut bags offer superior clarity, making them ideal for visually appealing donuts where presentation matters. PET provides high transparency and good strength, while PLA and cellulose films offer compostable or biodegradable alternatives.
These bags have excellent moisture and grease barrier properties, keeping donuts fresher for longer. Consumer perception varies: clear bags are viewed as hygienic and professional, but eco minded customers prefer PLA or cellulose options with sustainable branding.
Insulated Donut Bag (For Hot Transport)
Insulated donut bags are specialized bags designed for deliveries or food service operations that need to transport warm donuts. They typically use multi layer insulating materials combined with foil or thermal liners.
These bags maintain warmth for short distances, helping preserve the soft texture of fresh donuts. While they are not intended for long term heat retention, they are effective for courier deliveries, pop up events and catering services.
Donut Bag Sizes, Shapes and Capacity
Standard Sizes for Single Donut, Three Pack, Half Dozen, Dozen Donut Bag
Standard donut bag dimensions vary slightly by supplier, but common ranges include:
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Single donut: around 4.5 x 6 inches
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Three pack: around 5 x 7 inches
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Half dozen: around 6.5 x 9 inches
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Dozen donuts: around 8 x 12 inches or inserted into gusseted bags
Weight capacity depends on paper thickness, but most bags handle light pastries without tearing. These standard sizes help bakeries streamline packaging and speed up service during peak hours.
Mini Donut Bag and Bite Sized Portion Packaging
Mini donuts require smaller bags, often between 4 x 5 inches or 5 x 6 inches depending on portion size. These are commonly used at fairs, farmers markets and events where customers buy bite sized donut packs. Mini donut bags may use window panels to show the sugar coating, which encourages impulse purchases.
Custom Sizes and Capacity Calculations for Donut Bag
Custom donut bags are often designed by calculating the inner volume needed to protect toppings, glazing or stacked pieces. The key measurements include bag width, gusset expansion and height. When calculating capacity, brands consider donut diameter, icing height and protective clearance to avoid smudging. Stackability also matters for multi piece packaging, ensuring donuts stay upright without crushing each other.
Donut Bag Printing, Branding and Design
Full Color Printing vs Single Color for Donut Bag
Single color printing is cost effective and suits minimalist brands or artisan bakeries that want a clean, simple look. Full color printing is recommended for detailed artwork, seasonal themes or strong visual branding. Digital printing works best for small runs and quick turnarounds, while flexo printing is ideal for large wholesale orders where cost per unit decreases significantly.
Logo Placement, Window Shape and Visual Merchandising on Donut Bag
Effective donut bag design typically places the logo near the top third for immediate visibility, even when the bag is folded. Window shapes can be round, rectangular or custom shaped, depending on the donut size and brand personality. The back or side panel can hold nutrition labels, batch codes or promotional messaging. Good visual merchandising ensures the donut remains the hero while the bag reinforces brand identity.
Finishes and Premium Options for Donut Bag
Premium donut bags can include matte or satin lamination for a contemporary look, or spot UV accents to highlight logos. For luxury packaging or gifting, brands may add die cut handles, ribbon tie closures or kraft textures that convey a natural handmade feel. These finishes elevate the perceived value of the product and support higher price positioning.
Where to Buy Donut Bag Wholesale
KimEcopak supplies a full range of donut bags for bakeries, cafes and food service brands, including greaseproof paper bags, kraft bags, windowed bags and custom printed options. Businesses can order low MOQ custom designs, bulk wholesale packaging or request branded samples. KimEcopak also provides design support, dielines, quick lead times and competitive pricing for both small businesses and national chains.
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FAQs Donut Bag Wholesale
What is a donut bag and how is it different from a donut box?
A donut bag is a flat or gusseted paper bag used for single donuts or small quantities. A donut box is a rigid paperboard box that protects larger batches and maintains shape better.
Are donut bags greaseproof? What materials offer the best grease resistance?
Yes. Greaseproof paper, glassine paper, and PLA-lined paper provide the strongest oil resistance for donuts.
Can donut bag windows be compostable?
Yes. Windows made from PLA or cellulose are compostable; avoid plastic windows if you want full compostability.
What size donut bag do I need for a dozen donuts?
A large bakery SOS / gusseted bag (typically 8–10 inch width with a deep gusset) is needed; flat bags are too small.
How do I customize donut bag printing with my logo and what is the MOQ?
Contact KimEcopak at halo@kimecopak.ca, our sales advisor will support you.
Are donut bags recyclable or compostable?
Unlined paper bags are recyclable and compostable. PLA-lined or plastic-window bags are compostable but not recyclable.
How should I pack hot glazed donuts in a donut bag to avoid soggy glaze?
Let donuts cool slightly before packing, use a vented or breathable bag, and avoid sealing steam inside.
Where can I buy wholesale donut bags with custom print?
KimEcopak supplies eco-friendly custom-printed donut bags for bakeries and cafés.
Which bag should I use for donuts?
We offer consultation and free samples for testing with your donuts, we also help select the right combination of products for oil content, weight, and shelf life
If you’d like our team to recommend the best fit, please share the following information via email halo@kimecopak.ca:
- Product information: size, material, coating preference (if any), and expected quantity
- Business information: your bakery name, location, and contact details
Once we receive this information, our sales team will get back to you to support further.
Conclusion
Selecting the right donut bag is essential for maintaining product quality and creating an attractive customer experience. From greaseproof paper bags to windowed formats, insulated options and premium printed designs, each donut bag style serves a specific purpose based on product type, display needs and brand goals. By understanding material performance, capacity, sustainability features and wholesale options, bakeries and foodservice operators can choose packaging that protects the product and reinforces their brand in a competitive market.
