Kraft fiber resists grease on its own
Most fry papers need a coating to fight oil. Kraft starts ahead. The long, tightly bonded fibers of unbleached kraft give it natural grease resistance before any treatment is applied, which is why kraft is the traditional choice for fish-and-chip wraps and burger paper. For lighter fried items, a kraft sheet handles the oil with little or no added coating.
For heavier loads, wings dripping with sauce or fish straight from the fryer, a wax, PE, or PFAS-free barrier layer raises the holdout. The base does part of the work, so the coating does not have to do all of it. That combination is what keeps kraft both functional and clean to dispose of.
The sustainability case for kraft
Kraft’s environmental edge is real, not just visual. Skipping the bleaching stage cuts the chemicals and energy that go into white stock, so unbleached kraft carries a lower production footprint from the start. Paired with a soy, PLA, or other PFAS-free finish, kraft fry paper composts in commercial facilities and recycles in standard streams where coatings allow.
This matters more every year. PFAS bans in California, New York, Washington, and a growing list of states have made fluorochemical grease resistance a liability. Kraft fry paper sidesteps that entirely: its grease resistance comes from fiber and clean coatings, so the brand’s eco claim and its compliance line up.
Why brands choose the brown look on purpose
The rustic appearance is not a compromise. It is a positioning tool. A brown sheet signals craft, honesty, and small-batch quality in a way a printed white sheet cannot fake. Customers have learned to read kraft as the packaging of brands that care, and a food truck or artisan fryer leans into that association deliberately.
Bold single-colour logos, stamps, and line art print strongest on kraft. Black, deep brand colours, and white ink land with a confident, stamped-on look that suits the material. Fine multi-colour artwork and gradients wash out against brown, so for those designs, see white fry paper instead.
Kraft also costs less
Because kraft skips bleaching, it runs cheaper per sheet than white stock at the same weight. For a high-volume fryer wrapping hundreds of portions a day, that gap compounds fast. A brand can hold its margin, serve a more sustainable wrap, and get the rustic look it wanted, all from one material choice. Few decisions in food packaging stack up that cleanly.
Designing for a kraft base
Treat kraft like a stamp surface, not a screen. Use solid single colours, heavy line weights, and large type, since thin detail and light tints disappear into the brown fibre. Supply vector artwork, and expect printed colours to read a shade deeper than they look on a monitor. A logo designed to the base, rather than fighting it, looks intentional and premium.
FAQ
Is kraft fry paper grease-resistant without coating?
Yes, for light fried items. The kraft fibre resists oil naturally; coatings are added for heavier loads.
Is kraft fry paper compostable?
With soy, PLA, or other PFAS-free finishes, yes. It composts more readily than bleached white stock.
Will my logo show on brown paper?
Bold single-colour logos show strongly. Fine multi-colour detail does not; choose white for that.
Is it cheaper than white fry paper?
Yes. Skipping the bleaching step makes kraft lower-cost at the same weight.
What is the MOQ?
Orders start at 50 units, produced in 4 to 6 business days.
Wrap your fries in a sheet that proves your eco story. Order custom kraft fry paper on a 50-unit minimum, with a free proof in one business day and free shipping in 4 to 6 business days. Send your logo and we will match it to the kraft base.
