Kraft paper is usually brown and commonly used in everyday packaging especially for food, shopping bags and product wrapping.
This blog covers what kraft paper is, how it is made and its main types. Let’s get into this to explore more.
Key Takeaways
- The Kraft process keeps long cellulose fibres intact giving the paper its natural strength.
- Brown kraft is better for rustic packaging while white kraft offers a cleaner printing surface.
- Recycled kraft works well for lightweight packaging but can be slightly weaker for the heavy products.
- Kraft paper can be printed, folded, cut and shaped for many different packaging applications.
- Coatings, waxes and laminations can affect how easily kraft paper is recycled or biodegraded.
What is kraft paper?
Kraft paper is a strong and durable type of paper made from wood pulp via the sulfate pulping process. Its strength and flexibility make it suitable for bags, wrapping, boxes, labels and other packaging uses. Some common features of kraft paper include:
- A simple brown, rustic appearance.
- Availability in both brown and white finishes.
- Suitability for bags, wrapping, labels and packaging boxes.
- Recyclable options when no plastic coating is used.
How kraft paper is made?
Kraft paper is made in 5 to 6 steps, turning wood chips into strong and durable paper.
Here are the steps to made kraft paper:
- Turning Wood Chips into Pulp: Wood chips are heated at 150–170°C in large digesters with white liquor made from sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide. The heat, pressure, and chemicals dissolve the lignin and separate the wood fibres into pulp.
- Cleaning the Pulp: The fresh pulp is washed and screened to remove chemicals, lignin and uncooked wood. The leftover black liquor is collected for chemical recovery and energy production.
- Making Brown or White Kraft Paper: Unbleached pulp keeps its natural brown color while bleached pulp produces white kraft paper with a cleaner surface for printing.
- Forming the Paper Sheet: The cleaned pulp is mixed with water, spread onto a screen and pressed to remove moisture. Heated rollers then dry and smooth the paper before it is rolled for further use.
- Reusing Chemicals and Producing Energy: Black liquor is processed to recover heat, energy and chemicals. These materials can be reused in production helping reduce waste and resource use.
3 Common Types of Kraft Paper
Kraft paper comes in different types, and each type has different features. Each type can be used according to the printing needs.
Here are the types:
Natural Brown Kraft Paper
Natural brown kraft paper is a type of brown paper that is produced from wood pulp without using bleach. It comes in various grades from thin wrapping paper to heavy paper used over 200 GSM.
Long fibers make it suitable for bags in grocery stores, wrapping paper, shipping materials and industrial packaging, with respect to good tear resistance. The natural finish also suits for simple and eco-friendly designs.
Some rough surfaces may absorb ink irregularly and are therefore not ideal for printing. Brown kraft paper is biodegradable and recyclable but inks, adhesive and coatings can impact this.
White Bleached Kraft Paper
The color of natural brown paper is removed from white kraft paper. The bleaching process develops a smoother surface, enabling clean printability, intricate designs and deeper colors.
It provides excellent strength and typically comes with a higher price tag than brown kraft due to its additional manufacturing process.
Its clean look works well for modern packaging but may not suit brands that want a natural or rustic style. Coatings and laminates can also make the paper more difficult to recycle.
Recycled Kraft Paper
Recycled kraft paper is paper that has been recovered from homes, offices and factories. The fibres have already been processed, the paper is usually rougher and slightly weaker than kraft made from fresh wood pulp.
It can be used to mail envelopes, product sleeves, wrap and light boxes. The color and texture can differ in variations due to the volatility of the fiber mix. It is also easier to tear than virgin kraft, but it is still useful for light- and medium-duty packaging.
Kraft Paper GSM and Thickness Values
Here are the common kraft GSM ranges and their packaging uses:
- 45-60 GSM: Very thin and flexible. Good for light wrapping, filling empty space and inner packaging.
- 70-90 GSM: Light but stronger. Used for wrapping paper and lightweight shopping bags.
- 100-130 GSM: Thicker and more durable. Suitable for envelopes, paper bags and medium duty packaging.
- 140-200 GSM: Thick and Firm with a cardstock-like feel used for strong boxes and heavy duty packaging.
What is Kraft paper used for?
Kraft paper is used in packaging because it is cos-effective, flexible and easy to customize. Some common uses include:
Packaging Boxes
Kraft paper is used for product boxes, mailer boxes and retail packaging where strength and a natural look are needed.
Paper bags
It is used for shopping, grocery and takeaway bags because it can handle light to medium product weight.
Wrapping paper
Kraft paper works well for gift wrapping, product wrapping and protective inner packaging due to its flexible structure.
Food Packaging
Food-grade kraft paper is used for bakery items, takeaway food, sleeves and other food packaging applications.
Labels and Tags
Kraft paper can be cut and printed into labels and tags for products that need a simple, rustic or natural appearance.
Kraft paper vs Regular Paper
Here is the short comparison of kraft paper vs regular paper:
| Feature | Kraft Paper | Regular Paper |
| Strength | Strong and tear-resistant | Lighter and less durable |
| Appearance | Natural brown or white | Usually white |
| Common Uses | Bags, boxes and wrapping | Printing, writing, and boxes |
| Printability | Depending on surface | Smooth and easy to print |
| Best For | Packaging, wrapping | Packaging, business cards |
How to choose the right kraft paper?
Choosing the right kraft paper depends on its weight, material type and finish. These factors help determine its strength, appearance and suitability for different packaging uses:
Paper Weight: Paper weight determines how light, flexible or strong kraft paper will be. Lighter grades are suitable for simple wrapping, medium grades work well for general packaging needs. Heavier grades are better for durable packaging and outer protection.
Printing Requirements: If the packaging includes logos, colors or detailed designs, choose kraft paper with a smooth and printable surface for clearer results.
Food Contact Requirements: For food packaging, use kraft paper that is suitable for direct or indirect food contact and suitable for the product.
Moisture Resistance: Products exposed to moisture or grease may require coated or treated kraft paper to provide additional resistance and protection.
Sustainability Requirements: If you prefer greener packaging, choose kraft paper that is recyclable and sustainable.
What are the benefits of kraft paper?
Below are the some key benefits and advantages of kraft paper:
- Eco-Friendly: Kraft paper is recyclable and biodegradable, which makes it a more sustainable choice for packaging.
- Strong and Durable: The long wood fibres give the paper resistance against big tear and puncture through packaging and transportation process.
- Generally Recyclable: Plain, uncoated kraft paper can usually be recycled although plastic coatings, wax and adhesives may affect this.
- Cost-effective: Natural brown kraft requires fewer treatments so it often costs less than laminated or specialty packaging paper.
- Breathable: It allows this to breathe some air which may assist in minimizing clothes around baked products, produce and other appropriate items.
- Easy to Customize: Although printing may be harder on the rough surfaces, the kraft paper can be printed, stamped, folded and cut.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is kraft paper?
Kraft Paper is strong and durable paper that is manufactured from wood pulp. It has long fibres, used for bags, wrapping, boxes and packaging products as tear good fibre.
What is kraft paper made from?
Kraft paper is made from wood pulp. Most of the long cellulose fibres stay intact during the manufacturing process therefore giving the strength to the paper.
Why is kraft paper usually brown?
Natural kraft paper is brown because it is made from unbleached wood pulp. White kraft paper goes through an additional bleaching process.
Is kraft paper recyclable?
Yes. plain and uncoated kraft paper is recyclable. However, plastic coatings, wax, heavy adhesives or food contamination can make recycling more difficult.
Is kraft paper biodegradable?
Yes, Uncoated Kraft paper could biodegrade naturally in appropriate conditions. Coated or laminated paper may not be easily biodegradable.
