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Best Materials Used in Food Wrapping Paper

A complete guide to food wrapping paper materials, from greaseproof to parchment and wax options, with insights on performance and best applications.

best-materials-used-for-food-wrapping-paper
Author Chris William
Latest Updated Wednesday, March 04, 2026

Food is one item that holds an importance unlike any other thing. Anything that is consumable shall never be compromised. But we never get our food out of the pan directly on our hands, it's always served on a try or a wrapping paper. So, don't we need to be sure that whatever touches our food also needs to be completely safe?


When it comes to food wrapping paper, from a marketing point of view - looks matter. But performance, material quality, and safety matters even more. A wrapping paper makes a physical contact with the food so it needs to meet hygiene standards, be able to resist moisture, and preserve freshness and in doing all of these duties remain safe under different temperatures.


Right Material for Perfect Presentation

Every food item be it deli products, bakery items, burgers, or sandwiches, demands specific packaging with dedicated quality and only right material choice brings the perfection in food packaging. If someone really wants to make a difference in food quality and customer experience then they need to unwrap the science behind different specialty food wrapping sheets and the standards in materials used in custom food wrapping paper.

Why Right Material Selection is Important

Material choice matters in food wrapping and packaging because of the sole reason - it does more than just holding food, it makes direct contact with it, if it contains any harmful chemicals or substances they would be merging with the food and later consumed by customers. So it must be;


  • Resistant to heat, moisture, and grease
  • Food-safe and non-toxic
  • Superior in structural integrity
  • Support excellent printing with non-toxic inks
  • Environmentally responsible and sustainable
  • Meet all regulatory food-contact safety standards
  • Prevent odor or flavor transfer

Not every food item behaves the same but they all require the same quality and sustainability measures.

Compliance Standards to be Mindful of

Before diving into materials it's important to acknowledge the food-safety compliance requirements. A non-toxic food paper needs to adhere to the international regulatory standards so that in return it would bring credibility to your brand. The measurements include;


  • FDA Food Contact Compliance
  • EU Food Safety Standard Compliance
  • BfR Recommendations
  • PFAS-Free Certifications
  • FSC Certified

Let’s Explore the Materials


Greaseproof Paper


A custom printed greaseproof paper is widely used and loved by every brand. It's ideal for oily and greasy food with an exceptional quality to resist both. It’s best for wrapping burgers, tortilla wraps, sandwiches, pastries, and hot snacks.


It's made from densely packed, highly refined cellulose fibres. Through the supercalendering process they have low porosity which enables it to resist grease excellently.


Key Materials

  • 100% virgin or mixed pulp fibres
  • No synthetic coatings
  • Mechanically refined fibres
  • Water-based and Food-grade inks
  • Common thickness is 30-60 GSM

Wax Paper


Custom wax paper for food contains a light wax coating which gives it a smooth and soft finish which is slightly glossy. It has great moisture resistance. Its manufactured from standard base paper or wood pulp and receives coatings of either


  • Soy-based wax
  • Paraffin wax
  • Natural vegetable wax

Key Materials

  • Bleached wood pulp
  • Single or double sided wax layer
  • Moisture resistant but not heat resistant
  • Common thickness is 25-40 GSM

Parchment Paper


This paper is mostly used for baking and cooking purposes because of exceptional heat resistance quality that can reach for up to 250°C. Custom parchment paper sheets are manufactured from specially treated paper pulp that is later coated with a food-grade silicone layer.


Key Materials

  • Acid treated cellulose fibres
  • Silicone coating
  • Sometimes made with virgin pulp
  • Non-stick surface
  • Moderate grease protection
  • Common thickness is 35-60 GSM

Kraft Paper


Eco-friendly kraft is perfect for subtle branding but with utmost satisfaction of sustainability. Custom printed kraft wrapping paper is made from unbleached long-fibre softwood pulp that is durable and completely eco-friendly.


Key Materials

  • 100% unbleached natural fibres
  • Eco-friendly and biodegradable
  • Long cellulose fibres for strength
  • Naturally brown
  • Coated with PE, PLA, or Wax
  • Common thickness is 30-70 GSM

PE Coated Paper


This specific wrapping paper has a paper base made from wood pulp fibres, laminated with a thin layer of polyethylene film on one or both sides of the paper.


Key Materials

  • Cellulose pulp paper
  • PE coating
  • Heat seal capability
  • Strong grease barrier
  • Highly durable for heavy and oily foods
  • Common thickness is 40-70 GSM

Uncoated Food Grade Paper


It is the most simple food-grade paper popular for regular food wrapping and packaging needs. It's made from virgin pulp fibres with no coatings or synthetic treatments.


Key Materials

  • Breathable paper
  • 100% food-contact safe
  • Naturally absorbent
  • Common thickness is 28-50 GSM

Extra Precautions and Considerations for Custom Wrap Paper

At Wax Paper Global we offer customization where printing of personalized logos, patterns and designs is supported. So along with materials, printing needs to be food-safe as well.


Ink Types

  • Water-based inks
  • Soy based inks
  • Low migration inks
  • Metal-free pigments

An Overview of Material Selection Guide

Food Type Materials
Burgers and Sandwiches Kraft and greaseproof coatings
Fried Foods Greaseproof and PE coated
Bakery and Pastries Greaseproof and Glassine
Cold Deli Items Wax paper
Oven Use Parchment paper
Chocolate and Candy Glassine

The Final Word

Choosing the right materials is the key towards perfection. Custom food wrapping paper directly impacts the quality of the food, safety, brand presentation, and identity. It has an immense ability to connect your brand and business with your customers in a way that they keep coming back to you. You put maximum effort in preparing your food, understand the science behind materials before selecting a food paper and enjoy the perks of great marketing, customer experience, and brand recall.

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