Pistachio and Nut Packaging Bags: Cotton Sizes by Weight for Farms and Gift Brands
On this page
A pound of in-shell pistachios or pecans fits an 8x10 cotton drawstring bag with room to tie; a half-pound gift fits a 5x7 or 6x8. Raw, in-shell nuts can go straight into cotton. Roasted, salted or oiled nuts should go in a food-safe inner liner first, or the oil will spot the fabric within days.
Nut farms, roasters and gift companies choose cotton because it looks like harvest packaging and gets reused. Every size here is one of our standard cotton drawstring bags, and our cotton nut bags and pistachio bags cover the full range.
Sizes by weight
In-shell nuts take up more room than shelled nuts of the same weight. These are starting points; fill a sample with your own product to confirm.
| Weight | In-shell (pistachios, pecans, walnuts, peanuts) | Shelled (almonds, cashews, kernels) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 oz | 4x6 | 3x5 or 4x6 |
| 8 oz | 6x8 | 5x7 |
| 1 lb | 8x10 | 6x8 or 6x10 |
| 2 lb | 10x12 | 8x10 |
| 5 lb | 12x16 or 12x18 | 12x16 |
The oil problem, and how to solve it
Cotton absorbs oil. Nuts that are roasted, salted, flavoured or shelled release a little oil over time, and it shows as dark spots on natural fabric. Three fixes:
- Inner liner. Pack the nuts in a clear food-safe bag, then put that inside the cotton bag. The cotton becomes presentation and the liner does the food contact. This also helps freshness.
- In-shell only. Raw in-shell nuts rarely mark the fabric, so many farms pack those directly.
- Canvas for the outer bag. A heavier weave hides small marks better than muslin and holds its shape on a shelf.
Freshness
Cotton breathes, which is good for raw in-shell nuts in a cool store but not for keeping roasted nuts crisp. For anything sold roasted, seal the nuts in a liner inside the cotton bag, and print or label a best-by date.
Branding a nut bag
- Farm or brand name and the nut variety, in one or two colours.
- Net weight on the bag or on a label, as required for food sold by weight.
- A tag on the cord for flavour, allergen and date information, so one printed bag works for every product.
For logo sizing on smaller bags, see custom printed cotton pouches.
Holiday gift packs
November and December are peak season for nut gifts. A printed cotton bag of pecans or pistachios is a ready-made corporate or hamper gift, and it is the kind of bag people keep. If you sell to companies, our corporate gift bags planner covers quantities and timing. For other pantry products, see custom printed flour sacks and rice bags.
Frequently asked questions
What size bag holds a pound of pistachios?
An 8x10 cotton drawstring bag holds a pound of in-shell pistachios with room to tie. Shelled kernels need less room, so a 6x8 or 6x10 works.
Will roasted nuts stain cotton bags?
They can. Roasted, salted and shelled nuts release oil that spots natural cotton. Pack them in a food-safe inner liner inside the cotton bag.
Are cotton bags good for storing nuts?
For raw in-shell nuts in a cool, dry place, yes, because cotton breathes. For roasted nuts, use a sealed liner inside the cotton bag to keep them fresh.
Can nut bags be printed with our farm logo?
Yes, from 100 bags. One or two colours on natural cotton suit farm and harvest branding.
Muslin or canvas for nut packaging?
Muslin for lightweight, lower-cost bags of in-shell nuts. Canvas for premium gift packs, heavier weights and bags that need to hide small marks.
Packing nuts for the holidays?
Tell us the nut, the weight per bag and the quantity. We reply with a size, price and delivery date, usually within one working day.
Shop nut bagsRequest a quote
