Who this guide is for

This guide is for owner-managers and operations leads at UK independent businesses and SMEs, including jewellery, candle, beauty, boutique fashion, and corporate gifting brands.

If you store gift bags in bulk and want to avoid creases, scuffs, and colour fade while saving space, this is for you.

The promise: a low-cost, easy-to-follow SOP your team can run in minutes, using FIFO stock rotation, basic climate control, and clear labelling to cut damage and write-offs.

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Why bulk storage damages gift bags (and how to prevent it)

Creasing, rubbing, and colour fade explained:

• Edge crush & face creases: Over-tight strapping, stacking cartons too high, or trapping handles under weight.
• Lamination and ink rub: Carton movement causes micro-abrasion on glossy laminates and transfer on unsealed inks.
• Colour fade: Sunlight and heat accelerate fading, especially on black, red, and deep green.
• Moisture warp & odour transfer: High humidity bows board; nearby scented products can transfer smell.

Quick wins you can implement this week

• Keep factory inner wraps and add one sheet of recycled tissue between facing stacks.
• If cartons are stored long-term, rotate them 180° every two weeks to relieve pressure points.
• Handles up, never down. Never place weight directly on ribbon or rope handles.

Set up your storage space properly

Racking, pallets, and safe carton orientation:

• Racking height: Top shelf no higher than 2.0m unless you have step-safe access.
• Pallet vs shelf: Pallets for full cartons; shelves or bins for open cartons used for picking.
• Aisles: Keep at least 900mm clear for safe handling.
• Orientation: Store cartons flat with logos facing up unless marked otherwise.

Aisles, pick paths, and replenishment bins:

• Place fast-moving sizes in the “golden zone” (hip to shoulder height).
• Store seasonal or heavier SKUs lower down.
• Use smooth-sided storage boxes or deep bins for open cartons, with dividers every 50–100 bags.
• Keep a one-way picking path to reduce bumps and re-handling.

Carton and product protection

Keep inner wraps, add recycled slips or dividers:

• Retain factory interleaves wherever possible.
• If none are supplied, add recycled tissue slips every 25–50 bags.
• Use reusable kraft or corrugated dividers between sizes or colours.

Store bases and accessories correctly:

• Base boards: Store flat in a separate container; never stand on edge.
• Tissue, ribbon, stickers: Keep in sealed tubs to avoid dust and scent transfer.

Climate and light control

Humidity and temperature for paper gift bags:

• Aim for 45–55% relative humidity and 18–22°C.
• Stability matters more than perfection; avoid daily swings.
• Use moisture absorbers in damp areas and replace when indicators change.

Light, odour, and pest control:

• No direct sunlight; use UV-filter film if storage is near windows.
• Keep bags away from heaters and radiators.
• Maintain a clean, food-free zone to deter pests.

Stacking and handling rules

Maximum stack height (rule of thumb):

• Small bags (jewellery), 200–230gsm: up to 6 cartons
• Medium bags (candles/beauty), 230–250gsm: up to 5 cartons
• Large bags (apparel/bottles), 250–300gsm: up to 4 cartons

Reduce by one level if floors are uneven or carton strength varies.

Don’t crush handles:

• Nest handles inward when packing.
• Never let pallet straps press on handle knots.
• On open cartons, place a light card sheet on top before stacking.

FIFO, labelling, and audits

Date coding and stock rotation:

• Label every carton with Date-In, SKU/size/finish, colour or batch code, and barcode/QR.
• Follow FIFO (first-in, first-out) and always pick the oldest stock first.
• Use coloured dots by month to make FIFO visual.

Weekly 10-minute storage audit:

• Aisles clear; no overhanging cartons.
• No direct sunlight on products.
• RH and temperature logged and within range.
• Stack heights within limits.
• Open cartons covered; no weight on handles.
• FIFO followed at pick face.

Seasonal storage (especially Christmas)

• Expect tighter space and higher humidity from frequent door opening.
• Add extra moisture absorbers.
• Reduce stack height by one level.
• Use a dedicated gift bag storage box at the pick face.

Gift bag storage

A tidy, climate-aware backroom beats expensive reprints and rush orders. With smart stacking, dividers, and FIFO labels, your gift bag storage becomes a no-crease, no-scuff system that keeps luxury gift bags retail-ready.

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New to our gift bag blog series?

Begin with our blog on wholesale gift bags made simple