Strength Comes From The Fibre, Not The Coating
Kraft is strong because of how the pulp is processed, so a kraft bag carries more weight per gram of paper than a coated one of similar thickness. That makes it the efficient choice for heavier goods, and it is why takeaway and grocery packaging is almost all kraft.
Coated Stock Exists For The Artwork
The coating gives a smooth, sealed surface that holds ink on top rather than letting it sink into the fibre. Photographic images, gradients and solid colour panels all reproduce cleanly. On kraft the same artwork sinks, dulls and shifts warmer, because the brown fibre is showing through.
Design To The Stock You Chose
The most common mistake is designing full-colour photographic artwork and then asking for it on kraft to look sustainable. Line work, single-colour logos and type look excellent on kraft. Photographs do not. Choose the stock first, or design two versions.
Finishing Options Differ
Coated stock takes lamination, spot UV and foil predictably. Kraft takes foil and emboss well but not lamination, and spot finishes are less visible against a matt fibre surface. If a finish is central to the design, it points towards a coated or speciality stock.
The Recycling Trade-Off
Uncoated kraft goes into paper recycling in most markets. Laminating a coated bag for scuff resistance usually takes it out of that stream. If recyclability matters more than durability, skip the laminate and accept that the bag will scuff at the corners.
