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What is Kraft Paper? Manufacturing, Features, Use Cases

what is kraft paper

Table of Contents

Kraft paper is a durable and versatile material for crafting, industrial, and packaging applications. The eco-friendliness and strength are combined to make it the ideal option for various industries. Raw kraft paper has a brown appearance and tear resistance due to the kraft pulp process. The ample surface allows businesses to use high-quality finishing and printing for a luxurious look.

History of Kraft Paper

The word ‘kraft’ is derived from the German word ‘strong,’ symbolizing the strength of Kraft paper. Carl F. Dahl discovered brown kraft paper in the late 19th century when he invented the kraft pulp process. 

This process involved the chemical solution to break down the wood fibers into durable and stronger paper. Kraft Paper Production ensures the ideal versatility and strength as compared to regular paper.

How is Kraft Paper Made?

The Kraft pulping process ensures the smooth manufacturing of Kraft paper for different purposes. You can consider the following steps for making high-quality recycled Kraft paper:

  1. Wood Selection: The initial step is to choose softwood trees such as fir, spruce, and pine due to their stronger and longer fibers enhancing the durability of kraft paper. 
  1. Wood Processing: The wood is cooked in the presence of chemicals like sulfates (sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide) in the digesters (larger pressure cookers). It breaks down the lignin and drives the cellulose fibers.
  1. Kraft Pulping Process: The derived wood pulp from the cooking is purified from the chemicals for the unbleached Kraft paper. You can consider the bleaching process, whether you want to bleach the pulp or not based on the paper shade.
  1. Drying and Rolling: Press the pulp into sheets through fluting before drying and rolling into larger rolls to cut into various thicknesses and sizes.

This Kraft paper product process results in brown paper having a rustic and raw look due to its natural fibrous characteristics. Moreover, it can be made form kaolin clay that is an affordable alternative of titanium dioxide. Bleached Kraft paper consists of a smooth, lighter surface for printing and branding purposes. However, most paper remains brown due to the chemical reaction.

What Makes Kraft Paper Unique?

Different factors make it the ideal packaging material in the presence of different paper types.

Strength and Durability

A renewable resource for packaging popular for its premium strength. The kraft pulping process offers long cellulose fibers provides tensile strength to paper. Durable and tear-resistant kraft paper is excellent choice than other paper types, offering durability to corrugated boxes for e-commerce. Durability and strength makes kraft paper perfect for corrugated packaging, bags, and sacks. 

Sustainability 

Kraft paper is a a recyclable and renewable material for sustainable packaging, carton boxes, folding cartons. This biodegradable and FSC-certified material is crafted from renewable wood for different applications including Kraft packaging solutions. 

Custom Kraft paper utilizes minimal chemicals ensuring environmental protection during prduction. We prefer sustainable approach to packaging including FSC-certified recycled packaging.

Versatility

Custom-printed kraft paper is a versatile option for different usage purposes, including branding through kraft packaging. Therefore, you can use this smooth surface for high-quality printing and finishing for products like wrapping, shopping bags, and craft projects. It offers a unique and rustic appearance that can be customized through custom kraft paper printing options.

Affordable

Uncoated and coated Kraft Paperis an affordable packaging material due to simple production from the renewable sources. It has become a cost-effective option  as compared to different speciality papers. Therefore, environmentally friendly packaging option is an ideal choice businesses seeking affordable materials.

Common Uses of Kraft Paper

There are different use cases for kraft paper, from everyday products to industrial applications.

Packaging Material

It is the most popular material for durable paper packaging, particularly for products needing exceptional safety during their shipment. Therefore, you can use this material to craft bags, boxes, and wrap products. Severalfast-food businesses and retailers prefer kraft paper packaging bags due to their recyclability and strength.

Craft and DIY Projects

Crafters prefer kraft paper because of its natural brown color. The durability and versatility of paper allows you to create different products such as kraft paper cartons, bags, cards, and scrapbook. The suitability for ink ensures the ideal kraft paper printing.

Shopping Bags

It is a perfect material for creating premium, sustainable shopping bags to engage eco-conscious customers. These Kraft paper packaging solutions have immense strength in carrying heavier products and can be printed with branding designs and logos.

Industrial Uses

Kraft paper hs an ideal role in different industrial applications like filter papers, insulations, gaskets, and coatings. The excellent durability makes it perfect choice ensuring ideal resistance against mechanical tear and wear. 

Construction and Wrapping 

Kraft paper is a protective barrier in construction during the different tasks such as plastering and painting. You can also use this material to cover the walls, floors, and furniture preventing the damage from debris or spill.

Types of Kraft Paper

There are various kinds of kraft that are used to craft products like eco-friendly packaging solutions.

  • Bleached Kraft Paper: A paper combined with the bleach to ensure a smooth surface and is ideal for printing and packaging.
  • Natural Kraft Paper: A classical brown kraft paper retaining the natural texture and color. A sturdier and more durable option for packaging, like kraft paper boxes.
  • Recycled Kraft Paper: A sustainable paper made of post-consumer content, maintaining strength while reducing the demand for raw materials and overall cost.

Choose Kraft Paper for Affordable and Eco-Friendly Packaging Solutions

A durable, cost-effective, sustainable, and versatile material for diverse industries and use cases. This material has become a popular choice for crafting and packaging due to its reliability, strength, and environmental benefits. Therefore, kraft paper has become a perfect option for creative projects and sustainable packaging solutions.

Are you looking to use kraft paper in your packaging project? At Need Custom Packaging, we offer high-quality kraft packaging solutions at the most affordable rate to a wide range of businesses.