Craft Paper vs Kraft Paper - Everything you need to know

We love kraft paper and it is the main ingredient for one of our most popular products the Studio Roller. Here's everything you need to know about Kraft Paper.

Is it kraft paper or craft paper?

Kraft Paper vs Craft Paper

First things first, what is craft paper and what is kraft paper? The term craft paper is commonly confused with kraft paper.

The word Craft by definition is "An activity involving skill in making things by hand." Craft refers to the act of crafting something and therefore craft paper is not actually the correct spelling. The word kraft, on the other hand, has german origins and means strength. It refers to the particular type of paper and it's strength properties. Kraft Paper is actually much stronger than normal paper due to its manufacturing process - more on this soon.

People often change the spelling to craft paper thinking the 'K' is a branding play on craft paper but in reality, it's based on the German definition.

Our Daily Roller using kraft paper

So now we have distinguished the difference between craft paper and kraft paper, let's get into some information about it.

What is Kraft Paper?

How kraft paper is made

Like all paper, Kraft Paper is made from wood which is a renewable natural resource. The paper is made using the Kraft Process which involves converting wood into wood pulp. Lignin and cellulose are the two structural components in wood but due to the fact lignin doesn't make good paper it must be separated from the cellulose using a cooking process. This leaves the wood pulp which is screened to remove large pieces and can then be formed into various paper products.

The kraft process if different from standard wood pulping processes because of the way it strips away more lignin, leaving more cellulose which is stronger than lignin and results in stronger paper. Hence the use of the german word for strength - kraft.

What are the different types of kraft paper?

Kraft paper comes in a variety of colors and finishes, including glossy, matte, and laminated. Depending on the application, different types of kraft paper may be used, such as Kraft paper, butcher paper, crepe paper, and wax paper. Kraft paper is a heavy-duty paper that is often used for shipping, wrapping, and packaging. It is also used in arts and crafts projects, as well as in bookbinding and other creative endeavors.

Kraft paper is made from wood pulp and is generally brown in color, although it can also be bleached or dyed. Butcher paper is a type of Kraft paper that is usually white in color and is often used in butcher shops to wrap meats and cheeses. Crepe paper is a type of tissue paper that is usually crinkled and used to decorate walls, ceilings, and other surfaces. Wax paper is a thin paper that is coated with wax and is often used for wrapping foods, such as sandwiches and baked goods.

Is butchers paper the same as kraft paper?

Another common confusion, much like the craft paper/kraft paper confusion, is that butches paper and kraft paper are the same thing. Kraft paper and butchers paper actually begin life as the same material. They share the same kraft process (spoken about earlier) to create the wood pulp. The true difference is in how the paper is finished. Butchers paper has added treatments to strengthen it for food-grade use. It is specifically engineered to withstand moisture better than Kraft Paper.

Kraft Paper vs Butchers Paper

Butcher paper is a thicker, more fibrous paper than Kraft paper. It is usually used for wrapping and packing meat and other large items. It is also sometimes used for craft projects and for wrapping large gifts. Butcher paper is affordable, water-resistant, and provides excellent protection for the goods it is used to wrap.

Kraft paper is a bit thinner than butcher paper and is commonly used for wrapping sandwiches, baked goods, and other small items. It is also used as an alternative to plastic wrap in restaurants and food service establishments. Kraft paper is lightweight and cost-effective, making it a great choice for wrapping food items.

Kraft Paper not Craft Paper

Why we love Kraft Paper

We love brown kraft paper for many reasons. From how it's made to all the different ways you can use it.

Kraft paper doesn’t involve extensive bleaching, which decreases the paper’s strength and increases manufacturing costs. It also, unlike other papers, can use resinous pine and bamboo, which aren't able to be used in traditional paper making. Additionally, because nearly all chemicals used in the process are recovered and reused it is a self-sustaining manufacturing method.

The Studio Roller

We use kraft paper in both our studio roller and daily roller products. The Studio Roller is great for advertising daily specials as a menu board in a business settings, as an at-home wall pad for writing to-do lists, or in your office for brainstorming instead of a white-board. The Studio Roller is a beautiful writing board for your space.

The Daily Roller

The smaller Daily Roller was designed with your bedroom, kitchen, home office, or studio in mind. It is your perfect list and note-making companion.

Our Kraft Paper

We go to great lengths to ensure we have the best kraft paper around. Both our Studio Rollers and Daily Roller use high-quality 120gsm paper. This ensures no seepage onto the wall behind it.

Our Studio Roller comes in 4 different widths, 450mm/18" wide, 600mm/24" wide, 900mm/ 36" wide and 1200mm/ 48" wide. These are all universal widths and fit universal rolls. Our rolls are 70m long which goes a long way. You can buy new rolls here.

Our Daily Roller comes in a 210mm / 8" width. These rolls are 25m long. You can buy new rolls here.

If you would like some assistance in installing your Studio Roller please have a look at this blog post.

Ideas for your kraft paper

Our favorite uses for kraft paper and our Studio and Daily Rollers include a place to write lists, daily specials, and brainstorm ideas. However, here's a couple of alternate ways to use kraft paper and a roller.

Entertaining young children

Kraft paper on a roller is literally a blank canvas. A place where kids can express their creativity. Mix up the media. Use pens, paint, and more in conjunction with each other.

Wrapping gifts

Kraft paper is perfect for wrapping gifts. It's strong and easy to write messages on.

Decorating for an event

Make table runners, placemats, menus, name cards, and decorative banners in a cost-effective manner.

Wrapping food

Use brown kraft paper like parchment paper, as an environmentally friendly option to wrap and store food and as an alternative to single-use plastics.