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At PaperPak we are all about the little things. Little things like helping you understand the words our packaging experts use all the time, but which might be new to you.
Explore our popular packaging terms below.
Acid Free
We want the best for our environment, which is why our wide range of packaging items are acid free. We do this while still maintaining the colour and longevity of your packaging.
Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO)
We partner with Australia's leading industry packaging body, the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation, to make sure that our product offering is the best it can be. APCO can also help us to help you in making the right claims on your items about a product's end of life disposal options.
Biodegradable
An item that can decompose or breakdown, with microbial action. No industry standard exists for 'biodegradable' and this term can be confusing and misleading.
Carry Weight
Maximum capacity of our paper bags with paper twist, flat fold and die-cut handles. Bags are tested with sandbags in our labs, with a small amount of agitation applied to simulate walking, until the bag fails.

Circular Economy
Decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources and designing waste out of the system. The circular model builds economic, natural, and social capital. It is based on three principles:
- Design out waste and pollution
- Keep products and materials in use
- Regenerate natural systems
Compostable
Products that will break down to natural elements within 90 days when treated in a commercial facility, as defined by European standard EN13432. They are suitable for treatment at a commercial composting facility where products are subject to optimum levels of sunlight, temperature, and moisture to break down.
Customisable
A product that can be customised from the standard stock range. This includes printing, materials, size, and other factors. Custom printed bags are a fantastic way to build your brand and carry it further. Minimum order quantities apply. Get in touch with us about custom print.
Die-cut
Where the handle is cut out of the bag to a specific shape.
Fluted Board
Board with a corrugated inner to create a thick, sturdy material.

Grosgrain
A type of fabric or ribbon made of woven silk or nylon.
GSM
The term GSM stands for 'grams per square metre'. The GSM of a product does not always correlate to the strength of a product, with other factors having an impact on the strength of a bag. The higher the GSM number, the heavier the paper.
Gusset
A triangular insert in a seam of a bag. The gusset expands the bag, beyond what simply attaching the front to the back would do.
Handle Type
At PaperPak, we have a wide variety of customers, with each of these having different preferences and requirements. That's why we offer a range of handles on our paper bags. Each has its own benefits and properties. Die-cut; Flat fold; Paper Twist; Rope.

HWS
High Wet Strength paper is 2.5 times as strong as normal paper when wet, identified with a slight pink twinge.
Jute
A rough, natural fibre used in the production of some ropes and strings. We offer jute string that is popular for gift wrapping. It adds a rustic, natural look and is perfect for tying on labels or gift tags.
Kraft
Paper of high strength made from long fibre pulp, offered in brown (natural) or white (bleach).
Last Minute Print
For custom printing required in a short time frame. Find out more about Last Minute Print.
Linear Economy
Where we take raw materials, make a product, use and then dispose - giving materials only one life before they are sent to landfill.
MOQ
MOQ stands for 'Minimum Order Quantity', which is the smallest amount you can order. We have a MOQ for customising items. Find out about custom print and MOQ's.
Orientation
Like a photo. Orientations may include Portrait, Landscape or Square.

Pieces Per Carton
How many individual items of packaging will be inside each carton.
Ply
A layer of material.
Raw Material
The material used to create a product in its raw, unaltered state.
Recyclable
Able to be readily recycled and turned into other products via kerbside recycling bins once food residue is removed from the product. Examples include fluted board, and unlined kraft paper.
Reusable
Able to be used again. The most easily reused items are paper bags.


SOS
Self-opening satchel, which is a bag with a rectangular base.
Sustainable
Sustainable sourcing refers to the practice of purchasing raw materials from sources which are responsibly and ethically managed to ensure the ongoing feasibility of that resource. PaperPak only uses paper and board from large reputable raw material suppliers, whom we regularly audit for evidence of sustainability.
