What is Greaseproof Paper? Types, Colors & More

July 2, 2025 Food Packaging

Ever wonder how your fast food wrap remains clean and ungreasy while holding juicy and greasy food? Greaseproof paper is the reason behind this, which is a go-to wrapping sheet for all food presentations. This paper has exceptional absorbency to resist moisture and grease even without a coating.

Unlike wax paper, this custom food wrap does not require any wax coating to resist moisture and grease. The tightly woven fibers and special treatment make this paper an excellent alternative to plastic wraps. Greaseproof paper sheets are a versatile option that has got you covered in different kitchen-based usages. Let’s read the blog and see how this paper performed exceptionally.

What Is Greaseproof Paper?

Grease-resistant sheets have an inherently impermeable surface to grease. The main reason for this feature lies in its manufacturing process rather than surface coating. The paper has a thickness of 30 to 50 g/m2 and has extremely low porosity that does not allow it to easily absorb fat from food items.

The pulp is highly calendered, due to which custom greaseproof paper has a highly smooth surface and high density. The dense fiber of the paper makes it repel the lipid molecules, preserving the structural integrity and quality of the food it contains. The paper is manufactured in such a way that its barrier properties increase, such as:

Fiber Refining And Pore Reduction

Intensive refining is the primary step in the manufacturing of custom grease-resistant paper. Mechanical and chemical refining fibrillates the fiber and creates a more interlocked structure of fiber matrix that naturally reduces the size of the pores and water-oil permeability. Pores are minimized to an extent where they do not allow the passage of fluids and remain resistant to it.

Supercalendering

After refining, the paper is passed through rollers that apply pressure in a process known as super calendaring. This step compresses the fiber under high pressure while increasing the density and reducing the thickness.

Surface Sizing

To make sure that the surface of the greaseproof paper rolls is completely smooth, certain sizing agents are applied. These sizing agents minimize the residual micro porosity of the paper as they are hydrophilic polymers and fill the remaining voids to create a film on the surface of fibers and impede grease migration. The best part about the application of these sizing agents is that they keep the breathability of the paper intact because sizing against is integrated rather than layered. The common options are:

Starch
Alginates
Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)

Absence of Waxes or Silicone Coatings

Most of the time custom printed greaseproof paper is used without the application of any wax or silicone coating. This eliminates the concern of limiting the recyclability of paper. The changes in the paper structure at the manufacturing level make it stable enough to be used at elevated temperatures.

What is Greaseproof Paper? Types, Colors & More

Types and Colors of Greaseproof Paper

The type of greaseproof paper depends on the way the fiber is treated during the manufacturing process. Although there are some different types of paper, the functionality of the paper is almost the same.

Brown (Unbleached/Kraft): Brown grease-resistant paper is made directly from kraft pulp. This paper has a rustic appearance with an aesthetic look that gives slightly higher natural wet strength due to the presence of lignin.
White (Bleached): White grease-resistant sheets are bleached for a clean and more uniform appearance. This option is used when the brands need vibrancy in designs and clarity in prints.

Printed And Custom Colored Papers

You can also get greaseproof sheets in custom colors and printed designs. 1 to 4 colors are used in the printing of paper, which enables you to use it as a branding tool and grab the attention of customers. In the printing of paper, food-grade inks are used that keep the paper safe to be used in direct contact with food items. You can select any color of your grease-resistant sheets and wrap the product the way you want.

Specialty Grades

A standard greaseproof paper sheet has a GSM of 30–50 g/m². Nonetheless, customers can also get a heavier base of the paper by opting for 80 g/m². Some grades incorporate additional barrier coatings that enhance the moisture resistance and make it perfect for wet food wrapping.

Uses Of Greaseproof Paper

As the name of the paper indicates, its main purpose is the wrapping of greasy food items. Nonetheless, due to its heat resistance, it can also be used as a basket liner while baking food items. Some of the common applications are as follows:

Cooking And Lining

Uncoated paper can withstand a temperature of approximately 220 degrees without burning. This feature makes it a suitable option to line pans while baking cakes and cookies without the fear of burning and sticking. Chefs also use this paper as a piping bag due to its grease-resistant nature and foldability. Aside from this, in restaurants, greaseproof paper is used to line baskets and trays to prevent staining on the baskets.

Wrapping And Packaging

As we know, customized grease-resistant paper sheets and rolls have a dense fiber network that traps grease to protect hands and packaging from seepage. The ability og grease product wrapping is that it maintains the freshness of the food by blocking oil migration.

Storage And Preservation

Grease-proof sheet prevents freezer burns when you pack food items in it because it keeps the perfect balance of breathability and moisture barrier. The paper sufficiently protects from oils and allows limited vapor exchange, which helps preserve the texture and flavor of food for long periods.

Non-Food Applications

In the lamination process, this paper serves as a release substrate for adhesive films and silicones. Cosmetic containers and industrial oil drums contain grease-resistant labels that prevent ink from smearing to make sure the text remains legible.

Crafts and Household

Crafters use the paper as a non-stick surface for hot glue projects and enamel painting. Sometimes, greaseproof paper sheets are also used as a disposable table lining during messy tasks such as baking cakes and oil painting.

Final Words!

Greaseproof paper is one of the commonly used wrapping paper sheets in kitchens and restaurant food presentations. This paper is available in different sub-types that largely depend on the type of coatings and the GSM of the base sheet. You can get a huge variety of the paper from Custom Boxes Market in the USA and get the most alluring food presentation.