Key takeaways
- Yarn: roughly 10 to 14 standard 3.5 oz worsted skeins, depending on how they are wound.
- Paint: 2 oz acrylic craft paint bottles stand upright with room to spare; around 40 to 50 bottles fit in a single layer.
- Paper stacks: a 12 x 12 paper pad plus embellishments on top, or several hundred loose sheets of cardstock.
- Bulky kits: die-cutting dies in magnetic sheets, stamp sets in cases, punch tools, glue guns and spare sticks.
- Kids’ supplies: crayon boxes, markers in their packs, play dough tubs and coloring books.
- Non-craft uses: LEGO sets with instructions, board game overflow, holiday ornaments in small boxes, documents in hanging-file-sized piles.
The ArtBin Super Satchel Double Deep is worth buying if you need a stackable, see-through box for bulky craft supplies that still fits 12 x 12 inch scrapbook paper flat; it is a poor choice if you need many small compartments or a box you can carry full of heavy tools. It is essentially the classic Super Satchel with roughly twice the interior height, and that single change decides who it suits.
What the Super Satchel Double Deep Is
ArtBin is a long-running craft storage brand, and the Super Satchel is its best-known format: a clear, rigid polypropylene case with a carry handle and front latches, sized around the 12 x 12 inch paper that scrapbookers use. The standard Super Satchel is shallow, around 3.5 inches tall. The Double Deep version keeps the same footprint and roughly doubles the height to a little over 6 inches, so it stacks with the rest of the family on a shelf or in a cube unit.
Approximate specs
| Spec | Super Satchel (standard) | Super Satchel Double Deep |
|---|---|---|
| Outer footprint | About 15.5 x 14 in | About 15.5 x 14 in |
| Outer height | About 3.5 in | About 6.5 in |
| Fits 12 x 12 in paper flat | Yes | Yes |
| Approximate interior volume | About 0.35 cu ft | About 0.7 cu ft |
| Material | Clear polypropylene | Clear polypropylene |
| Closure | Front latches, top handle | Front latches, top handle |
| Typical price | Usually $12–$22 | Usually $18–$32 |
ArtBin sells the Double Deep in several configurations over time, including a plain open bin and versions with removable dividers or inserts, plus a range of colored latches and handles. The shell is the same; what changes is how the inside is divided.
What It Holds Well
The extra depth is the reason to choose this box over the standard satchel. At about 6 inches inside, it accepts items the shallow version cannot:
- Yarn: roughly 10 to 14 standard 3.5 oz worsted skeins, depending on how they are wound.
- Paint: 2 oz acrylic craft paint bottles stand upright with room to spare; around 40 to 50 bottles fit in a single layer.
- Paper stacks: a 12 x 12 paper pad plus embellishments on top, or several hundred loose sheets of cardstock.
- Bulky kits: die-cutting dies in magnetic sheets, stamp sets in cases, punch tools, glue guns and spare sticks.
- Kids’ supplies: crayon boxes, markers in their packs, play dough tubs and coloring books.
- Non-craft uses: LEGO sets with instructions, board game overflow, holiday ornaments in small boxes, documents in hanging-file-sized piles.
Where It Falls Short
Small parts
Beads, brads, buttons and sequins disappear into a deep open bin. Without dividers, the Double Deep turns into a dig box. For small parts, a shallow adjustable-compartment box or a Super Satchel with small removable inner boxes is more practical.
Weight when carried
The handle is molded plastic and the latches are the pivot points when the box is lifted. Filled with paper or paint, a Double Deep can reach 12 to 18 pounds. Carrying it occasionally across a room is fine; carrying it to classes every week fully loaded is where latches and hinges tend to stress first. Support the bottom with a hand when the box is heavy.
Not airtight
The lid closes snugly enough to keep dust out and stop small items from escaping, but there is no gasket. It does not protect against humidity, so keep it out of damp basements and garages if it holds paper.
Clear plastic and light
Transparency is the main convenience, but it also means sunlight reaches the contents. Paper and fabric near a sunny window can fade over a year or two. Shelving in a closet or a room away from direct sun solves it.
Durability Expectations
| Component | Likely wear point | How to extend its life |
|---|---|---|
| Latches | Stress whitening after years of daily opening | Open from the center, not by prying one corner |
| Hinge | Cracking if the lid is forced past its open stop | Do not let the lid fall back under its own weight |
| Clear walls | Surface scratching from sliding on shelves | Slide on smooth surfaces or add felt pads underneath |
| Base | Slight bowing under heavy loads stacked high | Keep heavy boxes at the bottom of a stack, 4–5 high max |
Polypropylene handles cold and heat better than cheaper clear polystyrene boxes, which can crack when dropped. Still, a full box dropped onto a hard floor from table height can split a corner.
How It Fits Common Shelving
A footprint of about 15.5 x 14 inches matters for planning:
- 13-inch cube shelves (the common square cube organizers) are too small. The box will not slide in.
- 15-inch cube units are borderline; measure the inside, which is often around 14.5 inches.
- Standard bookcases with 11 to 12 inch deep shelves leave about 2 to 3 inches overhanging, which works if the box sits on its long side.
- Closet shelves at 14 to 16 inches deep fit well; two Double Deeps stack to around 13 inches tall.
Double Deep vs Alternatives
| Option | Height | Strength | Weakness | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Satchel Double Deep | About 6.5 in | Fits 12 x 12 paper, stacks, carries | Few internal dividers in the basic version | Bulky supplies, paper plus tools |
| Standard Super Satchel | About 3.5 in | Slim, stacks densely | Paint bottles and yarn do not fit | Paper, stickers, flat embellishments |
| Generic 12 x 12 paper case | 2–3 in | Cheaper | Thinner plastic, weaker latches | Paper only |
| Latching clear storage tote (16 qt range) | 6–7 in | Larger, cheaper per quart | Footprint often too small for 12 x 12 paper | General household storage |
| Rolling craft cart | Varies | Easy access, no lifting | Takes floor space, not portable to classes | Daily-use supplies |
Verdict by Crafter Type
- Scrapbooker: yes, especially for a kit that combines paper, adhesives and tools in one carryable box.
- Painter or mixed-media artist: yes; upright paint bottles are the strongest use case.
- Knitter or crocheter: yes for project bags; one box per project keeps yarn and pattern together.
- Jewelry maker or bead crafter: no, unless you add small inner containers.
- Parent organizing kids’ art supplies: yes; the clear walls let children see what is inside, and latches keep markers in place when a box is grabbed off a shelf.
The Double Deep is not exciting, but it is one of the few clear cases sized around 12 x 12 paper with real depth, and that combination is why it stays a staple in craft rooms.
