Though you might confuse kraft as a typo when you encounter it while shopping for art supplies, in reality, it’s a very useful type of paper. Its name is derived from the German word for ‘strong,’ and predictably, it’s extremely durable.
This type of paper is popular for its great number of uses: from grocery bags at retail shops to wrapping paper at bakeries. Before you buy a roll of heavy kraft paper to use in your projects, let’s first take a look at what makes this paper so popular.
What is Kraft Paper?
Kraft paper is made by pulverizing and blending wood pulp material into large sheets of brown filament. Since these filaments are not bleached, the paper retains most of its natural color as a result of minimal chemical processing. This process also allows for the paper to be 100 percent biodegradable, which is ideal for crafters looking for a green option when wrapping different items.
Kraft paper often comes in different weights, such as 30#, 50#, and 75#, numbers which represent the weight and thicknesses of the papers. Typically, the larger the number, the heavier and thicker it is. At Paper Mart, you will find a variety of different weights, widths, and styles of heavy kraft paper.
Different Kinds of Kraft
While many people think of kraft paper as standard brown paper, there are actually several different kinds available. The most common is virgin natural kraft paper, which has a durable fiber content to give it a high level of tear resistance and a low manufacturing cost. The Paper Mart virgin natural kraft paper is made of 11 lb. tissue, manufactured from recycled fibers.
While virgin natural varieties are ideal for wrapping and packaging, they’re not as environmentally friendly as their naturally recycled counterparts, which carry a lot more strength and minimize user impact on the environment.
Black kraft paper is another variety, and is usually found as backing for picture frames, while colored and printed kraft paper are often incorporated into printed gift bags and trendy totes for studier gift packaging material.
Uses for Kraft
Deciding which type of kraft paper you need depends on what kind of project you’re working on. Caliber and versatility should also be considered, as should decorative qualities and durability.
The most common uses for kraft paper are in items that can be found in grocery stores and restaurants – paper bags! As a strong and durable paper, kraft is used to make recycled paper bags, because the bags it comprises can carry a heavy load without tearing or breaking. Companies also use kraft paper as an inexpensive way to wrap products for shipping. For DIY craft projects, heavy kraft paper is used most often when creating a homemade costume, holiday decoration, or sturdy gift wrap.
Why Choose Kraft?
Many crafters are changing their practices and starting to use eco-friendly materials. The kraft paper alternative is popular, biodegradable, and made from recycled materials. It is also versatile enough to work as a simple, all-occasion wrapping paper, but is tough enough to be used for more rugged applications without tearing. No matter what project you’re starting or what food you’re packaging, choose kraft paper from Paper Mart.