Month: March 2025

Butcher and kraft are two common papers used in the food industry. Brands that are looking for sustainable and sturdy packaging prefer this paper. Although both of them differ significantly their mechanical and chemical properties vary significantly. 

The similarity in the appearance of the paper makes it difficult for the users to understand the difference. In this blog, we will discuss the features that vary in both of the papers. 

Chemical Differences

In butcher paper, special treatment chemicals are applied such as sizing agents. Apart from this, in some cases, butcher sheets can also be coated with wax or polyethylene coatings that increase the paper’s capability to resist moisture.  

On the other hand, kraft paper is generally used untreated without the application of sizing agents and coatings. However, if a brand demands, sizing agents can be applied to enhance the moisture resistance ability of the kraft paper sheets. 

Mechanical Differences

When it comes to the mechanical difference, butcher paper is much more durable and flexible and it can be wrapped around meat without tearing. When it comes to kraft, it is stiffer and coarse which is why it has a better tensile strength and can be used for packing and wrapping heavy items. 

Manufacturing Differences

In the manufacturing of kraft paper, a process is involved called the kraft process. This process involves the chemical pulping of the paper, here the wood chips are treated with sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide that break down the lignin into separate cellulose fibers. The result is a strong and durable paper that is not bleached and has a rustic color. No other coatings are applied to the kraft paper rolls. 

Butcher paper is manufactured by the kraft process, but it also undergoes special treatments. Apart from the application of sizing agents, wax or PE coatings are also applied to butcher sheets. 

Chemicals Used In Butcher Paper Vs. Kraft Paper

Although the kraft process gives the maximum strength to both papers, nonetheless there are certain chemicals applied to butcher paper to enhance its functionality and resistant nature. The chemicals used in both the papers are as follows: 

Butcher Paper

• Sizing agents alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) or rosin
• Wax or PE coating 
• Bleaching agents 

Kraft Paper

• Usually untreated but it can be treated with sizing agents 

The table shows some of the common differences when it comes to butcher paper vs kraft paper 

Feature	Kraft Paper	Butcher Paper
Material	Wood pulp	Wood pulp
Strength	Very strong	Moderate
Texture	Rough	Smooth
Coating	Uncoated	Coated/Uncoated
Color	Brown	White/Brown
Moisture Resistance	Low	High
Common Use	Packaging	Food wrapping
Food Safe	No	Yes
Flexibility	Stiff	Flexible
Cost	Affordable	Slightly higher

 

Moisture And Temperature Resistance

 

As on butcher paper coating is applied therefore it has a good moisture resistance. The application of sizing agents also causes the paper to resist moisture. Nonetheless, heat resistance is a variable phenomenon in different types of butcher sheets, if you have not applied any coatings on the paper then you can use it for mocking meats, on the other hand, avoid direct heat application. 

Kraft paper is rarely treated with sizing agents which is why it does not have a good resistance to highly moist applications. This paper is not designed for high heat application but its durability makes it an ideal option for wrapping products. 

What Is A Sizing Agent, And Can It Be Used On Kraft Paper?

 

As we have repeatedly mentioned let’s see what a signing agent is. It is a chemical that is used on the paper surface to reduce absorbency and improve the resistance to moisture and grease. Common sizing agents are rosin, alkyl ketene dimer, and succinic anhydride. Yes, you can use sizing agents on kraft paper as this agent enhances the moisture resistance of the paper without reducing the sustainable aspect of the packaging. 

Types Of Butcher Paper

Several types of butcher paper are mainly differentiated based on color. The application and some physical properties of the butcher paper sheets vary from each other. On the other hand, the different varieties of kraft paper are due to the applied coating and the presence or absence of a bleaching process. 

 

• White Butcher Paper: This is a standard, uncoated paper used for wrapping meat.
• Pink (Peach) Butcher Paper: Pink paper is used for smoking meat due to its breathable nature. 
• Steak Paper: This is a thicker variation of butcher sheet that is used to pack meat to prevent drying. 
• Gardenia Paper: This is a wax-coated and grease-resistant paper that is used when for moist food packaging but it is not suitable for heat purposes. 
• Peach Treated Paper: This paper is moisture resistant and has antibacterial treatment which is why it is used to pack raw meat. 

Types Of Kraft Paper

• Natural Brown Kraft Paper: This is an unbleached and strong paper that is used for packaging.
• Bleached White Kraft Paper: This paper is treated with bleaching agents and is used for craft projects. 
• Colored Kraft Paper: This paper is colored after the bleaching process to get the desired shade. 

Conclusion 

Due to the same appearance of butcher and kraft paper confusion occurs among the minds of the user about whether these papers are alike or different. Despite a similar look, both papers have viable qualities. Butcher paper is comparatively more resistant to moisture and heat as compared to kraft paper which is coarse and dense. To get the best quality of the papers you can contact Grease Proof Paper and avail remarkable quality with lower rates.

Wax paper is commonly used to wrap food and crafting projects due to its nonstick properties and moisture-resistant nature. This paper is printed to give it promotional elements so that if brands are using it, they can promote themselves and get the attention of the customers.

One thing that comes to mind when it comes to printing on paper is whether it can be printed with a laser printing method or not. To solve this riddle let’s read the blog and get an idea of how wax paper sheets can be printed, the paper usage limitation, mechanical, and chemical changes that the paper undergoes when exploded to heating.

Can You Print On Wax Paper With A Laser Printer?

The simple answer to the question is NO! You cannot print wax paper sheets using the laser printing method. The main reason for this is the applied wax coating that is liable to melt when exposed to heat.

In the laser printing method, an electrostatic process is used to apply the toner onto the paper. This leads to the fusion of the inks onto the surface. This process can reach up to the temperatures of 175-200°C (350-400°F) that can burn the paper. Some other reasons hinder of using laser printing on the paper are as follows:

Heat Sensitivity

Laser printing uses high heat to fuse the toner onto the substrate. This high heat will not only melt the paper but will also melt the wax coating applied on the paper. Apart from the liability of paper being burnt, it can also damage your printer.

Non-Porous Surface

Wax paper is manufactured to repel moisture, so when toners are melted they are repelled off by the paper surface making it difficult for the toner to adhere to the paper properly.

Printing Damage

The melted wax can clog the printer’s roller and fuse unit. This will lead to printer damage leading to expensive repair.

Alternative Printing Methods for Wax Paper

Obviously, a brand spends its resources on the customization of the paper because it wants to get a promotional tool for its brand for which printing is required. So to print the paper, some other methods are used such as:

Inkjet Printing (With a Transfer Technique)

You can print your wax-coated paper using the inkjet printing technique. An inkjet printer immediately presses the ink onto another surface such as wood or fabric to transfer the image from which the image is transferred to the paper. This method though gives attractive designs but is not waterproof and long-lasting.

Screen Printing

In this method, stencil and ink are used to transfer the design onto the paper. It is a food-safe method and provides durable prints. In commercial settings, screen printing is the common method used to print the paper.

Rubber Stamping and Hand Painting

There are some manual methods too that you can use to print wax paper rolls. In this method stamping or painting is done to create custom designs onto the paper. This is a ideal method for small-scale production and decorative purposes.

Flexography

Flexography is one of the ideal methods that are commercially used to print custom wax paper. In this method, there is less generation of heat as compared to other printing methods, even less than offset and gravure printing. This reduces the liability of damage due to heat that may lead to melting and deformation of the paper if high heat is applied.

Apart from heat, there are several other factors that make flexography an ideal method of printing onto wax-coated paper sheets. These are as follows:

• Quick Drying Inks: Water-based inks are used on flexography that dries easily. This minimizes the time one needs to expose the paper to heat.
• Flexible Plates: The flexible plates used in flexo allow for consistent distribution of pressure that ensures the well-adherence of inks without the requirement of excessive heat.
• Controlled Environment: This printing method is done under a controlled environment so you can easily manage the temperature and humidity of the paper.
• Versatile Ink Formulations: Most flexographic printers are designed to be used without the need for high heat. This reduces the chances of potential damage to the paper.

Mechanical and Chemical Changes When Wax Paper Is Exposed to Heat

When you expose wax paper sheets to a high temperature then there are several mechanical and chemical changes to the paper. This damage to the paper is not only hazardous for the printer but can also cause paper ignition that may lead to severe damage. Some of the mechanical and chemical changes that can occur in wax-coated paper rolls are as follows:

Mechanical Changes

When the temperature reaches 150°F (65°C) the structure of wax paper starts getting damaged. The combination of heat and pressure can cause the wax-coated sheets to curl and deform. Apart from this, the application of heat can lead to the complete absorption of wax onto the paper or it may evaporate.

Chemical Changes

The chemical changes that can occur to the paper include the breakdown of wax. Prolonged exposure to heat can alter the molecular structure of the wax making it sticky and brittle. The evaporation process due to heat can produce smoke and emit unpleasant odors. Lastly, in extreme cases, the wax coating can leave behind a carbonized layer that can transfer to other surfaces.

Conclusion

Printing on wax paper using the laser printing method is hazardous and damaging to the paper as well as the printer. Heat is the main reason that causes wax to melt. To print the paper there are several other ways that you can use such as inkjet printing, screen printing, and flexography. Among all, flexography is an ideal method that is used at the commercial level due to its quality, safety, and accuracy. If you want to get custom-printed wax paper, then you can contact Grease Proof Paper company and avail of the best designs at the most affordable rate.