How greaseproof paper actually blocks oil
The barrier is mechanical, not chemical. Wood pulp is beaten and refined until the fibres are extremely fine, then pressed into a sheet and run through supercalendering, a stack of heated rollers under high pressure. That step crushes the microscopic gaps between fibres almost flat. Oil has no open pores to travel through, so it sits on the surface instead of soaking in.
A light internal sizing, usually AKD or a starch-based agent, fills the last tiny gaps and makes the fibres mildly oil-repelling. No wax, no polyethylene, no fluorochemicals. Because the barrier comes from the fibre itself, uncoated greaseproof stays fully recyclable and compostable, which is its biggest advantage over coated alternatives.
What the Kit Rating really measures
Kit Rating is the industry’s grease-resistance test, and it is worth understanding because it is how you compare any fry paper. A lab places drops of increasingly aggressive oil-and-solvent mixtures, castor oil cut with toluene and heptane, onto the sheet. After 15 seconds, the highest-numbered mixture that does not darken the paper is its Kit number, from 1 up to 12.
Higher is stronger. Light fries and chips are comfortable around Kit 5 to 7, which good greaseproof reaches on fibre alone. Heavy, dripping foods need Kit 8 and above, where a coating raises the ceiling. Knowing the number lets you match paper to food instead of guessing, and it is the spec to ask any supplier for.
| Kit Rating |
Holds |
Greaseproof Reaches It |
| Kit 4–6 |
Light fries, chips, dry snacks |
Uncoated fibre |
| Kit 6–8 |
Standard fried items |
Dense greaseproof, light sizing |
| Kit 9–12 |
Wings, fish, heavy drip |
Add a coating |
Where uncoated greaseproof wins
For everything short of the heaviest loads, uncoated greaseproof is the smart default. It recycles in standard paper streams, composts where facilities exist, and carries no PFAS liability under the bans spreading across California, New York, and Washington. A kitchen serving fries, chips, and lighter fried items rarely needs more barrier than this, and gets a fully circular wrap for it.
It is also microwave-safe in uncoated form, since there is no plastic or wax layer to melt. That makes a single greaseproof sheet useful from fryer to serving to a customer’s quick reheat, all without a coating.
When to step up from plain greaseproof
The honest limit is heavy grease and standing liquid. A fish dripping oil or a basket of saucy wings can eventually defeat an uncoated sheet, which is when a wax, PE, or silicone layer earns its place. Those coatings push the Kit number higher and add moisture holdout, at the cost of some recyclability. For that comparison across the full coating range, see the coating guidance on the main custom fry paper page.
Greaseproof takes print and brand colour well
The supercalendered surface is smooth and slightly translucent, which holds printed ink cleanly. Greaseproof comes bleached white for vivid full-colour work or unbleached for a natural look, and water-based food-safe inks sit well on both. A branded greaseproof sheet gives a clean barrier and a sharp logo from one recyclable material.
FAQ
Does greaseproof fry paper have a coating?
Not by default. Its barrier comes from dense fibre. Coatings are optional for heavier loads.
What does Kit Rating mean?
It is a 1-to-12 grease-resistance score. Higher numbers block more aggressive oils.
Is greaseproof fry paper recyclable?
Yes, in uncoated form. It recycles and composts because there is no plastic or wax layer.
Is it microwave-safe?
Uncoated greaseproof is microwave-safe. Coated grades are not.
What is the MOQ?
Orders start at 50 units, produced in 4 to 6 business days.
Block the grease without the plastic. Order custom greaseproof fry paper on a 50-unit minimum, with a free proof in one business day and free shipping in 4 to 6 business days. Tell us your food and we will recommend the right Kit Rating.
