SOS Bags

Buyer’s Guide to Choosing SOS Paper Bags

SOS paper bags, or Self Opening Sack bags, are a practical packaging choice for takeaway food, retail, groceries, home delivery and general commercial use. Their block-bottom construction allows the bag to stand upright when opened, making filling and packing easier.

Insinc’s range includes brown kraft SOS bags from Emperor, Fortune, Gratpak and Detpak in a wide variety of sizes, paper weights and pack quantities.

Which SOS Bag Size Should You Choose?

Smaller SOS bags suit compact takeaway items, bakery goods and lightweight retail purchases, while medium and large formats provide more capacity for food orders, groceries and home delivery.

Available sizes range from compact bags such as 90 x 50 x 205mm through to large formats up to approximately 540 x 355 x 165mm. Because size numbers vary between manufacturers, always compare the actual width, gusset and height rather than relying only on labels such as No.4, No.12 or No.20.

Standard or Heavyweight SOS Bags?

Standard SOS bags are suitable for general-purpose packaging, while selected Detpak options use heavier 80gsm or 100gsm paper. Gratpak also offers several 115gsm block-bottom bags designed in Small, Medium, Large, Retail and Home Delivery formats.

Heavier paper can provide additional rigidity, but the appropriate bag still depends on the weight, shape and condition of the contents being packed. Check individual product specifications when carrying heavier, wet or greasy items.

Several Castaway SOS bags are no longer available in New Zealand, while some Gratpak and Detpak products may be obsolete or out of stock. Contact Insinc for suitable alternatives where required.