Kraft Paper Packaging: Natural Brown and White Kraft Applications Guide

Kraft paper is one of the most enduring packaging materials — it conveys natural, honest, sustainable values while delivering genuine functional strength. Its characteristic brown colour comes from the kraft pulping process (from the German word for strong), which preserves long cellulose fibres that give kraft paper its high tensile and burst strength relative to weight. Understanding the grades and applications helps buyers specify the right kraft product for their needs.

Kraft Paper Grades

• Natural brown kraft (NKL): Standard material for bags and wrapping; 60–120gsm for bags, 100–150gsm for food bags, 80–100gsm for tissue-type wrapping; unbleached appearance
• White kraft: Bleached to pure white; same strength properties as brown kraft but with better print surface for bright colours; higher cost than natural kraft
• MF (machine finished) kraft: Calendered for smoother surface; better ink holdout; used where print quality matters more than cost
• MG (machine glazed) kraft: One high-gloss side from a glazing cylinder; used for butcher paper, food wrapping where product contact is on the unglazed side
• Wet-strength kraft: Treated with resin to maintain integrity when wet; used for beer bottle carriers, produce bags, any wet-handling application

Kraft Bags: Specifications

Printing on Kraft Paper

Natural brown kraft absorbs dark inks well but does not reproduce light colours or pastels accurately — white ink is not opaque over brown kraft because it shows the paper colour through. White kraft solves this entirely. For brown kraft with bright design elements, print on white kraft and accept the clean appearance, or design with the natural background as part of the aesthetic using dark green, black, or dark red inks that contrast well with the kraft tone.

Sustainability Credentials

Kraft paper bags are recyclable in most municipal paper recycling streams. Uncoated, unlaminated kraft is also industrially compostable. If the kraft bag is laminated with PE for moisture resistance, it enters the general waste stream in most markets — although PE-laminated kraft is less harmful than plastic films because the paper content is high. FSC-certified kraft is available and is the preferred specification for buyers with sustainable procurement policies. BestPackFactory holds FSC® Chain of Custody certification (certificate SGSHK-COC-332603, SGS Hong Kong Limited, valid to 14 December 2030), so FSC 100%, FSC Mix or FSC Recycled kraft can be supplied where the FSC claim is specified on the order and carried on the invoice and shipping documents.

RFQ Requirements

• Bag type and dimensions (W × H + gusset in mm)
• Handle type and material (twisted paper, flat paper, cotton ribbon, die-cut)
• Kraft grade: natural brown or white kraft, gsm
• Printing: number of colours; note that CMYK on natural kraft has colour gamut limitations
• Any PE lamination or coating required (food contact, wet resistance)
• Quantity and annual volume