Types of Food Wrapping Paper

Whether you're serving sandwiches or steaks, properly packaging your food is essential for preserving freshness and ensuring safe handling. Choosing the right food wrapping paper for your needs is key to delivering a high-quality product to your customers. Our guide will help you select the ideal wrapping paper for your business, keeping your inventory secure and your food well-protected.

Butcher Paper

Butcher paper, also known as kraft paper, is a strong, textured paper commonly used to wrap meat and fish. Its durability makes it a popular choice among butchers, fishmongers, and craft professionals. Butcher paper can be easily marked with permanent markers, pens, pencils, or crayons for labeling.

Many butcher paper products are treated with a vapor barrier, giving them enhanced wet strength and leak resistance. However, larger rolls (such as 24", 30", and 36" sizes) are often left untreated, as these sizes are typically used for non-food applications like crafting or table coverings.

Sandwich Wrapping Paper

While sandwich wrap paper is most commonly used for sandwiches, it’s also great for wrapping other items like sides, pretzels, and pastries. Traditional sandwich wrap paper comes in an open design, making it ideal for wrapping burgers, hot dogs, or bratwursts. Some sandwich papers feature a double-open design, perfect for wrapping flat items like pastries, cookies, or pretzels, and can even double as a cone basket liner for extra versatility.

Wax Paper

Wax paper is coated with wax, which creates a smooth, non-stick surface that prevents foods from sticking. This wax coating also provides a moisture barrier, keeping wet foods fresh and dry foods from absorbing moisture.

Wax paper is easy to write on with permanent markers and is compatible with tape. There are two types of wax paper:

Dry Wax Paper: This type is bleached kraft paper treated with wax through a dry process, which prevents surface residue. It’s perfect for wrapping hot foods like sandwiches or lining pizza boxes.

Wet Wax Paper: Also made from bleached kraft paper, this paper undergoes a wet waxing process to create a glossy, water-resistant surface. It is ideal for refrigerated foods, such as sandwiches and vegetables, and can be used as a substitute for butcher paper when wrapping meat or fish. It is commonly used in the candy industry for dipping or tray liners.

Freezer Paper

Similar in texture to butcher paper, freezer paper is designed to preserve freshness in the freezer and refrigerator. It features a low-density polyethylene coating on one side, providing extra strength, leak resistance, and protection against freezer burn for up to a year. Freezer paper is perfect for wrapping fish, poultry, cheese, deli products, and even pasta.

Because of its polyethylene coating, freezer paper can only be written on with a pen, pencil, or crayon on the uncoated side.

Cheese Paper

Cheese paper is designed for both storage and presentation. For storage, wax paper helps preserve the freshness of cheese, preventing it from drying out or absorbing unwanted flavors. To store cheese, wrap it securely in wax paper, tape it closed, and then wrap it loosely in plastic wrap or a plastic bag for additional protection.

In addition to its functional use, cheese paper can also enhance the presentation of charcuterie boards, adding color and elegance to your display.

Conclusion

By choosing the appropriate wrapping paper for your food packaging needs, you not only preserve the quality and safety of your products but also enhance their presentation, which can significantly impact customer satisfaction. 

Proper packaging is essential for maintaining the freshness of food, protecting it from contamination, and preventing it from losing flavor or texture during storage and transportation. For example, butcher paper and freezer paper are excellent choices for wrapping meats and poultry, as they help preserve the freshness and prevent freezer burn, ensuring the product remains in top condition when it reaches the consumer.