Halloween paper bags are easy to make with any Cricut machine. In fact, these bags have a fun window so you get a peek inside at the contents. So, fire up that Cricut this fall and make something your kids will love! These are perfect for handing out treats on Halloween night or even adding to a Halloween party.
Halloween Paper Bags
I really wanted to come up with a way to have a window in a bag for the candy to be visible. After some trial and error, I figured it out for you! Using your Cricut Explore you can actually cut right through paper bags!
Supplies needed:
- Paper bags (these 50 lb Kraft versions seem to work well)
- Large plastic treat bags
- SVG files for cutting bags (see how to download below)
- Cricut machine
- Green mat
SVG Cut File for Your Cricut
I made four cut files to use for these bags. Feel free to use these or any Halloween shape with the tutorial below. You can get the cut files I made for free by signing up for the newsletter in the box below. Look for a signup box with a picture of the file you want to download then add in your information. If you already get our newsletter, add your information again as you will not be signed up for anything further. Then just wait for the files to be sent to your inbox.
Please note that these files are for personal use only. Contact me if you have any issues with your download.
How to Make Cricut Halloween Treat Bags
Start with your paper bags. I tried a variety of bags and the ones noted above seemed to work best. You need fairly strong paper so it does not rip in the machine. Remember you are trying to cut TWO layers one of which will NOT be held down by the mat so this is important. Next, you will need my custom images or something else to cut out of the bags. You can download my version above. Just click upload image in the Cricut software to get those onto your design space.
Adding the Bags to the Mat
Now you are going to need to flatten the bags previously mentioned. Just remove all of the folds as shown in the image below. The bag on the left is what you want and the one on the right is out of the package.
Next line the bag up on the Cricut cutting mat and press down as shown in the image below.
Uploading the Files
Now we can get these images ready to cut. You really should not have to resize the images at all. You can double-check by measuring the front of your bag and making sure the image will fit correctly. Then hit the “GO” button and you will come to the screen below. You can drag the image to any location you wish within this window. You will need to measure the bag ON THE MAT and decide where the image needs to be to get into the center of your bag. Move accordingly using the mat markings on the screen as your guide. Be sure you are not getting into the bottom of your bag where there are more than two layers of material.
Cut Settings
Click go on the screen above and you will be brought to the cut section. I set my dial on cardstock to cut the bags and made a custom change in the software. After you load your mat, you can choose the material settings screen. I found that changing the cut pressure helped my images to cut smoother in this case. I ended up using 320 points for these bags.
Cutting Paper Bags with a Cricut
Now when you insert your mat AND when you hit the cut button on your machine, you will want to help guide the mat and bag into the machine. REMEMBER that top layer IS NOT held down by the mat. I would just hold it down with my fingers at the very beginning while the machine fed it in and got started. After that, it was fine to run by itself. Once done, remove and repeat for as many bags as you would like.
Finishing the Bags
Now you have these awesome bags with holes in them. What now? Grab some large plastic treat bags in the party section at any store and insert them in the kraft bags. Fill with candy and cut off the excess bag at the top.
Just be careful not to overfill the bags as the treats will start escaping out the front and back of the bags.
These will be a fun addition to a Halloween party or send them to school with Halloween treats for the class. The images are a fun take on Halloween without being too scary.
Be sure to pick up Cricut machine to make these bags and even more. Be sure to get the supplies to make your own window Halloween paper bags.
Love this Halloween Cricut craft and want more? Try the links below as well!
Want to print the instructions for making these window bags for Halloween? Try the card below!
Supplies
- Paper bags
- Large plastic treat bags
- SVG files for cutting bags
- Cricut machine
- Green mat
Instructions
- Start with your paper bags. I tried a variety of bags and the ones noted above seemed to work best. You need fairly strong paper so it does not rip in the machine. Remember you are trying to cut TWO layers one of which will NOT be held down by the mat so this is important. Next, you will need my custom images or something else to cut out of the bags. You can download my version above. Just click upload image in the Cricut software to get those onto your design space.
Adding the Bags to the Mat
- Now you are going to need to flatten the bags previously mentioned. Just remove all of the folds.
- Next line the bag up on the Cricut cutting mat and press down.
Uploading the Files
- Now we can get these images ready to cut. You really should not have to resize the images at all. You can double-check by measuring the front of your bag and making sure the image will fit correctly. Then hit the “GO” button and you will come to the screen below. You can drag the image to any location you wish within this window. You will need to measure the bag ON THE MAT and decide where the image needs to be to get into the center of your bag. Move accordingly using the mat markings on the screen as your guide. Be sure you are not getting into the bottom of your bag where there are more than two layers of material.
Cut Settings
- Click go on the screen above and you will be brought to the cut section. I set my dial on cardstock to cut the bags and made a custom change in the software. After you load your mat, you can choose the material settings screen. I found that changing the cut pressure helped my images to cut smoother in this case. I ended up using 320 points for these bags.
Cutting Paper Bags with a Cricut
- Now when you insert your mat AND when you hit the cut button on your machine, you will want to help guide the mat and bag into the machine. REMEMBER that top layer IS NOT held down by the mat. I would just hold it down with my fingers at the very beginning while the machine fed it in and got started. After that, it was fine to run by itself. Once done, remove and repeat for as many bags as you would like.
Finishing the Bags
- Now you have these awesome bags with holes in them. What now? Grab some large plastic treat bags in the party section at any store and insert them in the kraft bags. Fill with candy and cut off the excess bag at the top.
- Just be careful not to overfill the bags as the treats will start escaping out the front and back of the bags.
Super cute and fun idea, Angie! My girls would love to help me fill bags. 🙂
Those are so cute … the perfect treat for a party!
I love these little “window” bags! That is so cool! I would have never thought to make something like this!
Everyone loves a take-home treat. These bags are so fun!
Love it! I have done this project on a Evolution too, so if you have a manual die cutter, you can still do it – although my Cricut makes it way easier! Off to visit the rest of your teams projects now – what a great theme you chose!