What is Kraft Paper? Definition, Use, and Examples

Jun 19, 2026

By Chemistors

Kraft paper is a strong, brown, unbleached paper made from chemical wood pulp using the kraft (sulphate) process, prized for its high tear and burst strength. The German word kraft means strength, and that is exactly what defines it: long softwood fibres left mostly intact during pulping make kraft paper far tougher than ordinary writing paper of the same weight. You see it most often as brown packing paper, grocery bags, and the outer layer of corrugated boxes.

How kraft paper is used

Around a desk and workspace, kraft paper shows up in more places than people notice. It wraps and cushions products inside shipping boxes, forms the brown void-fill that protects a laptop sleeve or desk mat in transit, and backs the gummed paper tape that seals eco-friendly cartons. Many minimalist notebooks and sketchpads use kraft paper covers for their warm, recycled look. Disposable desk blotter pads, the tear-off paper sheets that sit under your keyboard for note jotting and doodling, are usually kraft. Beyond the desk it becomes grocery bags, food wrap, envelopes, wall art mounts, and the multi-wall sacks used for cement and flour. Its strength-to-weight ratio is the reason packaging engineers reach for it again and again.

Key characteristics

High tensile and tear strength, because the kraft pulping process preserves long wood fibres instead of breaking them down.
Naturally brown, since it is unbleached; bleached kraft (white) exists but costs more and loses a little strength.
Recyclable and biodegradable, which makes it the default choice for brands moving away from plastic packaging.
Breathable and grease-resistant in coated grades, so it suits food and product wrapping.
Available in many basis weights (gsm), from light 30 gsm wrapping to heavy 150 gsm board-like sheets.
Takes print and stamps well for branding, though the brown base mutes ink colours.
Affordable and widely stocked, which keeps eco-packaging costs reasonable.

How to choose kraft paper

Pick the weight (gsm) to match the job. For void fill and light wrapping, 60 to 80 gsm is enough and crumples easily for cushioning. For outer wrapping or parcel covering that must resist tearing in transit, choose 90 to 120 gsm. For rigid uses like folders, tags, or blotter pads, go 150 gsm and up. Decide between virgin kraft (stronger, lighter brown) and recycled kraft (greener, slightly speckled and weaker). If the paper touches food or oily items, specify a grease-resistant or PE-free coated grade. For a branded unboxing experience, ribbed or smooth kraft both print well; smooth gives crisper logos.

Common confusion: kraft paper vs cardboard

Kraft paper is a single sheet; cardboard (more precisely corrugated board) is a sandwich made from kraft paper. A corrugated box uses two flat kraft liners glued to a wavy fluted kraft layer in the middle, which is what gives boxes their stiffness. So kraft paper is the raw material, and cardboard is the engineered structure built from it. People also confuse kraft paper with regular brown paper; true kraft is stronger because of the sulphate pulping process, while cheaper brown paper is often just dyed or recycled stock.

Frequently asked questions

Is kraft paper the same as brown paper? Not exactly. All kraft paper is brown unless bleached, but not all brown paper is kraft. Genuine kraft is made by the sulphate process and is notably stronger than ordinary dyed brown paper.

Is kraft paper eco-friendly? Yes. It is made from wood pulp, is recyclable, and biodegrades far faster than plastic, which is why sustainable D2C brands use it for packaging and void fill.

What does gsm mean for kraft paper? Gsm is grams per square metre, a measure of weight and thickness. Higher gsm means a heavier, stiffer, stronger sheet.

Can you write on kraft paper? Yes. Pencil, gel pen, and marker work well, which is why kraft is popular for notebooks, tags, and tear-off desk blotter pads.

Is kraft paper waterproof? Standard kraft is not waterproof, though it resists light moisture. Coated or laminated kraft grades add water and grease resistance.