{"id":610,"date":"2026-10-22T02:53:58","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T18:53:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tanitbennajash.com\/blog\/?p=610"},"modified":"2026-10-22T02:53:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T18:53:58","slug":"what-is-the-difference-between-kraft-paper-and-other-types-of-paper-4e9f-673173","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.tanitbennajash.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/22\/what-is-the-difference-between-kraft-paper-and-other-types-of-paper-4e9f-673173\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the difference between kraft paper and other types of paper?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hey there, folks, and welcome to my little corner of the paper world! If you\u2019ve ever stood in a office supply aisle, a packaging warehouse, or even a craft store and stared at rows of papers, wondering, \u201cWhat\u2019s the actual deal with kraft vs. all these other options?\u201d \u2014 you\u2019re not alone. I\u2019ve been selling kraft paper for over a decade now, and I still get customers every week who mix it up with plain printer paper, copy paper, or even cardstock. Today, I\u2019m breaking this down plain and simple, no fancy jargon, and giving you the real lowdown on what makes kraft paper different. Also, full transparency: I\u2019m the guy who sources and ships this stuff, so everything I\u2019m saying is from actual, hands-on use cases, not just a textbook fact sheet. Kraft Paper<\/a><\/p>\n

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First off, let\u2019s start with the basics \u2014 what even is kraft paper, at its core? Way back in the 1870s, inventors in Germany developed a pulping process called \u201ckraft,\u201d which is German for \u201cstrong.\u201d Think about that name: it\u2019s not \u201cbrown paper\u201d or \u201cpacking paper\u201d \u2014 it\u2019s kraft because it\u2019s built tough. The process uses chemical pulping to break down wood chips, but instead of weakening the fibers (like some other paper processes do), it actually strengthens \u2019em. That\u2019s why it\u2019s way more durable than, say, standard writing paper. Let\u2019s contrast that with the first most common mix-up: standard copy or printer paper. I see this all the time. Folks grab a roll of kraft because it looks like \u201cbrown printer paper,\u201d but then get mad when it doesn\u2019t feed through their office printer. Here\u2019s the difference: copy paper is made from groundwood pulp (that\u2019s basically just chopped wood mixed with water, no fancy chemical break down) or a blend of recycled fibers. It\u2019s lightweight, smooth, and designed for inkjet or laser printing. Kraft paper? It\u2019s heavier, has that rough, textured surface, and the fibers are so tightly bonded that a standard printer can\u2019t grip it \u2014 it\u2019ll jam so fast, you\u2019ll be yelling at your printer before your first coffee. Copy paper is great for memos, resumes, and reports, but if you\u2019re shipping a mug or making a DIY tote bag? Copy paper tears the second you look at it. Kraft paper? You can fold it, bend it, and even get it wet a little (most grades) without falling apart.<\/p>\n

Next, let\u2019s talk about packaging paper, like corrugated cardboard. Wait, kraft paper is actually a huge part of corrugated cardboard \u2014 but it\u2019s not the same thing. Corrugated cardboard has two outer layers (called liners) that are usually made from kraft paper, and a wavy inner layer (fluting) that\u2019s sometimes recycled kraft. The fluting is what makes it rigid. But plain kraft paper, like the rolls I sell, is flat, no fluting. A lot of people will come to me looking for \u201ccardboard sheets\u201d because they think kraft is the same, but if you wrap a fragile item in plain kraft, it\u2019ll dent \u2014 you need that corrugated structure for protection. On the flip side, corrugated cardboard is too bulky for things like cushioning between items, or making a custom gift wrap that looks natural and not industrial. Kraft is thin enough to wrap around a wine bottle without adding unnecessary weight, but tough enough to keep that bottle from breaking. I had a customer last month who ran an Etsy shop selling handmade candles; she was using corrugated sheets for wrapping and they were too big, so she switched to my 40 lb kraft paper and cut her shipping costs by 12% because the packages got lighter. That\u2019s the kind of practical difference you don\u2019t hear about on paper product websites.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s cardstock \u2014 another big one. Cardstock is thick, right? You use it for business cards, invitations, posters. People often ask, \u201cCan I use kraft cardstock instead of regular cardstock for my wedding invitations?\u201d And the short answer is: it depends. But first, what\u2019s the difference? Regular cardstock is usually made from bleached or unbleached wood pulp, and it\u2019s smooth, uniform, and designed for things that need a crisp finish. Kraft cardstock, which is just a heavier grade of kraft paper, has that same textured, earthy look, but it\u2019s not as smooth as standard cardstock. If you\u2019re printing a wedding invitation with a lot of fine text or graphics, kraft might make the ink look a little fuzzy \u2014 unless you get a premium grade, which is coated to smooth it out. But if you\u2019re going for that rustic, \u201cfarmhouse chic\u201d vibe? Kraft cardstock is way better than plain cardstock because it feels organic, not like a glossy business card. I also see crafters using regular cardstock for gift tags, but kraft cardstock is sturdier so it doesn\u2019t bend when you tie it to a package with twine. The catch? Premium kraft cardstock is more expensive than regular cardstock, so it\u2019s not the right pick for large print runs like corporate flyers.<\/p>\n

What about tissue paper? Oh, that\u2019s another mix-up that makes me shake my head sometimes. Tissue paper is super thin, lightweight, usually used for wrapping delicate items (like jewelry or perfume) to keep them from scratching. A lot of people think kraft is just thick tissue paper \u2014 nope. Kraft paper is at least 10 times thicker than standard tissue paper, and it doesn\u2019t come in colors except natural brown (unless you get the dyed version, which is a specialty grade). Tissue paper comes in every color under the sun, it\u2019s translucent, and it tears if you put any pressure on it. I had a customer who tried to use kraft instead of tissue to wrap a set of glassware, and when the courier dropped the box, the kraft didn\u2019t cushion enough \u2014 the glass broke. She switched back to tissue paper for cushioning and kraft for the outer wrap, and that worked perfectly. Also, tissue paper is usually made from 100% recycled pulp, while kraft uses mostly virgin wood fibers (though we do offer recycled kraft, which is a big seller for eco-focused brands). That\u2019s a big point if sustainability matters to you: recycled tissue paper is fine, but recycled kraft is a bit more durable than tissue, so it\u2019s great for eco-friendly packaging.<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s get into the \u201ceco\u201d angle, because that\u2019s a huge reason people ask about kraft vs. other papers. A lot of folks assume kraft is less sustainable, but that\u2019s not always the case. The chemical pulping process for kraft actually lets us reuse 95% of the chemicals we use, which is way better than the process for some other paper types. Also, kraft paper is 100% recyclable and biodegradable \u2014 if you leave a roll of kraft in a compost pile, it\u2019ll break down in a few months. What about other papers? Copy paper and cardstock are recyclable too, but they often have coatings (like laser toner) that make them harder to process. Tissue paper is recyclable, but it\u2019s so thin it can easily get lost in recycling machinery, so a lot of curbside programs won\u2019t take it. The downside of kraft, though, is that the unbleached version is that natural brown color \u2014 if you\u2019re looking for bright white paper, kraft can\u2019t do that unless it\u2019s bleached, which takes away some of its sustainability benefits. Bleached kraft is used for things like cereal boxes, but we focus on unbleached because our customers care about eco-friendly options. I\u2019d be lying if I said all papers are equal: copy paper is great for office use, but if you\u2019re trying to cut down on your carbon footprint, kraft (especially recycled kraft) is a solid choice for packaging and crafts.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s also talk about the actual uses, because that\u2019s where the difference matters most. I\u2019ve made a quick little cheat sheet in my head over the years that goes like this: if you need something for printing documents, get copy paper. If you need something to ship, wrap, or store heavy items, get kraft paper. If you need something for business cards or invitations, get cardstock (or kraft cardstock if you want a rustic look). If you need something for cushioning delicate small items, get tissue paper. I can\u2019t tell you how many times a customer has ordered 500 lbs of kraft paper to print flyers, and they come back a week later saying, \u201cIt won\u2019t print!\u201d because they didn\u2019t check that the surface isn\u2019t compatible with their printer. That\u2019s the biggest mistake people make: assuming all paper is the same, when it\u2019s really designed for specific jobs.<\/p>\n

Another thing? The texture. Kraft paper has that rough, \u201cpulled from a tree\u201d feel, right? That\u2019s because the fibers are longer and more exposed than in smooth papers like copy or cardstock. That texture is why it\u2019s so good for crafts \u2014 it holds paint and glue way better than smooth paper. I\u2019ve seen people make tote bags, wall art, gift wrap, even lampshades out of kraft, and the texture gives it a unique, handmade look. Smooth papers, on the other hand, are better for things that need a clean, crisp finish \u2014 like a resume or a wedding invitation with fancy lettering. If you try to paint on copy paper, it\u2019ll warp; paint on kraft, and it adds depth to the design.<\/p>\n

Wait, let\u2019s not forget specialty papers, like parchment paper. A lot of people mix kraft with parchment, especially for baking. Parchment paper is silicone-coated, heat-resistant, and made for lining baking sheets. Kraft paper is not \u2014 if you put uncoated kraft in the oven, it\u2019ll burn, and the chemicals (wait, no, the pulp) can leach into food. I had a customer who tried to use kraft instead of parchment for cookies, and half of them tasted like paper. Don\u2019t do that. Parchment is a specialty, heat-resistant paper, while kraft is tough but not heat-proof. That\u2019s another key difference.<\/p>\n

Okay, so now you know the basics, but maybe you\u2019re still wondering: why would I choose kraft over other papers? Let\u2019s break it down for common scenarios: if you\u2019re a small business owner shipping products, kraft is way more durable than copy paper, lighter than corrugated cardboard (so lower shipping costs), and more affordable than cardstock. If you\u2019re a crafter, kraft\u2019s texture is unique, and it\u2019s way cheaper than specialty craft papers. If you\u2019re eco-conscious, unbleached kraft is biodegradable and recyclable, with a lower environmental impact than many coated paper types. And if you\u2019re looking for something versatile that you can use for wrapping, storage, DIY projects, and shipping \u2014 it\u2019s hands down the most versatile paper out there.<\/p>\n

I get that choosing the right paper can be overwhelming. There are so many types, each with their own pros and cons. That\u2019s why I\u2019m here \u2014 I don\u2019t just sell rolls of kraft, I help people pick the right grade for their needs. Whether you\u2019re a Etsy seller looking for shipping wrap, a teacher needing craft paper for a class project, or a startup figuring out packaging for your new product, I can point you to the right kraft (even tell you if you should go for a different paper, if that\u2019s what makes sense). I\u2019m not here to push you to buy more than you need, just to make sure you get the right product for the job.<\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re ready to chat about your kraft paper needs, whether it\u2019s a small roll for personal use or a bulk order for your business, just reach out. We can talk about grades, quantities, pricing, whatever you need. No sales pitch, no weird hoops \u2014 just straight talk about paper, which is what I do best.<\/p>\n

Food Grade Board<\/a> References<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Smook, G. A. (2016). Handbook for Pulp & Paper Technologists. 4th Edition. Appita Inc.<\/li>\n
  2. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2022). Paper and Paperboard Manufacturing Sustainability.<\/li>\n
  3. TAPPI Press. (2019). Kraft Pulping: Principles and Practice. Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry.<\/li>\n
  4. Sustainable Packaging Coalition. (2021). Guide to Paper Packaging Materials.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    Oriental Paper (HK) Limited<\/a>
    Oriental Paper (HK) Limited is one of the most professional kraft paper manufacturers and suppliers in China, specialized in providing high quality custom service. We warmly welcome you to wholesale cheap kraft paper from our factory.
    Address: Room 3A07, Dexin AI Industrial Park, No.3 Weiye Road, Binjiang District Hangzhou China
    E-mail: shirley@oriental-paper.com
    WebSite:     https:\/\/www.oriental-paper.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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