How to put tissue paper in a gift bag

Putting tissue paper in a gift bag sounds like it needs no instructions, until you do it and the tissue slumps flat inside the bag instead of rising out the top. There is a simple method that gets the full, fanned look every time.

Step by step

1. Line the bottom. Take one sheet, fold or crumple it loosely, and lay it flat in the base of the bag. This cushions the gift and hides the bottom of the bag from view.

2. Add the gift. Place the item on top of that first layer, sitting it upright if it is meant to be seen when the bag is opened.

3. Pinch the top sheets. Stack two or three fresh sheets, pinch them in the center, and give the pinch a small twist so they gather.

4. Tuck the pinch down the side. Push the twisted point down beside the gift, between the gift and the bag wall, so the loose ends stand up and out of the top.

5. Fan and fluff. Spread the standing ends apart with your fingers so the sheets separate into a soft fan rather than a flat clump.

That is it. The pinch-and-tuck is what makes the tissue rise; laying it in flat is what makes it slump.

How many sheets

Use two to three sheets for a medium bag and three to four for a large one, plus the one sheet lining the base. Fewer than that and there is not enough tissue to hold a shape above the rim.

Common mistakes

• Too few sheets. One sheet cannot fan. It just lies there.
• Not separating the layers. Sheets stuck together read as a single stiff lump. Peel them apart.
• Cramming it in. Force the tissue and it crushes flat. Let it stay loose and airy.
• Forgetting the base layer. Skip it and the gift sits on the bare bottom, and anyone looking in sees the empty bag.

Colors and finishing

Match the tissue to the bag for a clean look, or contrast it for something playful, one bold sheet softened with a white or kraft one is a safe, good-looking combination.

For gifting at any scale, custom tissue paper printed with a logo makes the fill do double duty as branding. It pairs naturally with a black gift bag or, for a bottle, a wine gift bag.

FAQ

Do I put tissue in before or after the gift?

Both. One sheet under the gift to line the base, then the fanned sheets tucked in beside and above it.

Why does my tissue look flat?

Usually too few sheets, or the sheets are not separated. Add a sheet or two and fluff them apart.

How much tissue for a small bag?

One base sheet and one or two for the top is plenty. Get a quote on printed tissue and gift bags.