The Decision Starts With Your Food

Every good custom food paper decision starts with a simple question: what food is it wrapping?

The food type dictates the paper type, which dictates the coating, which dictates the print options. Getting this right means your paper performs as well as it looks.

Step 1: Match the Paper to the Food

Food Type	Recommended Paper
Burgers	Greaseproof or wax paper
Sandwiches and subs	Deli paper or greaseproof
Fried food (fries, chicken)	Heavy greaseproof or fry paper
Pastries and baked goods	Butter paper or parchment
Tacos and burritos	Greaseproof or foil-lined paper
Cold cuts and cheese	Deli paper or cheese paper
Freezer storage	Poly-coated freezer paper

For a general-purpose solution that covers most food types, our custom food paper) in greaseproof grade handles the widest range of applications.

Step 2: Choose Your Paper Material

White wax paper — classic, clean look, good moisture barrier, light grease resistance

Natural kraft — artisan aesthetic, popular with farm-to-table and independent restaurants

Greaseproof paper — strong grease barrier, suitable for hot food, moderate heat tolerance

Parchment paper — non-stick, oven-safe, for baking and premium presentation

Foil-lined — maximum heat retention, for hot food that travels

Step 3: Decide on Your Print Design

Custom food paper can carry anything from a simple one-color logo to a full-color design covering the entire sheet.

Single-color logo print — lowest cost, effective for brand presence

Two-color print — adds depth and brand detail without full-color pricing

Full-color CMYK — maximum visual impact, recommended for competitive markets

All-over pattern — high brand recognition, particularly effective for delivery and social media

Our custom deli paper) and custom greaseproof paper) are both available in all print options.

Step 4: Select the Right Size

Paper size depends on your largest food item. Common size guidelines:

10x10" — small sandwiches, pastries, and snacks

12x12" — standard burgers and sandwiches
14x14" — large burgers, subs, and wraps
18x24" — large format wrapping, counter lining

Custom sizes are available for any non-standard requirement.

Step 5: Determine Your Order Volume

Order volume affects unit cost significantly. The more you order, the lower the per-sheet cost.

500 sheets — suitable for small operations, test orders, or seasonal use

2,000 sheets — standard for independent restaurants

5,000+ sheets — bulk pricing available, recommended for chains and high-volume operations

Step 6: Plan Your Artwork

Good artwork leads to great results on press. Submit files in:

AI or EPS format for vector designs
High-resolution PDF at 300 dpi minimum
PNG files at 300 dpi for photographic elements

Our pre-press team reviews and confirms every file before production. We provide a digital proof for your approval before printing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ordering the wrong paper for hot food — always confirm heat tolerance before ordering

2. Using too small a sheet size — err on the side of larger to avoid wrapping problems

3. Low-resolution artwork — always use 300 dpi source files to avoid blurry printing

4. Ignoring food safety — confirm FDA compliance for any food-contact paper

FAQs

Q: How do I know if my paper needs to be FDA-compliant?

A: If the paper comes into direct contact with food, it must be FDA-compliant. All paper products at The Wax Papers meet this standard.

Q: Can I mix sizes in one order?

A: Yes. Mixed-size orders can be accommodated depending on print method. Contact us for details.

Q: Can I reorder with the same design?

A: Yes. We store your approved artwork for easy reorders with consistent results.

Q: What if my food type is not on the list?

A: Contact us with your food type and application. We will recommend the most suitable paper material and grade.