Definition
Kraft paper is a tough, high-strength packaging paper made mostly from long softwood fibers using the kraft (sulfate) pulping process. The process removes much of the lignin while keeping fibers long, so the sheet delivers excellent tensile strength, tear resistance, and burst strength.
Natural (unbleached) kraft looks brown.
Bleached kraft is white.
“Kraft” doesn’t mean leather—it simply means tough. You can use kraft on its own (bags, inner wraps, tags) or as the outer/inner liners of corrugated board to carry stacking loads.
Common types
Uncoated, Natural Kraft (Unbleached)
Brown with visible fibers; great all-round strength and value. Typical for paper bags, inner wrap for mailers, and minimalist branding.
Uncoated, White Kraft (Bleached)
Brighter, higher print contrast, a cleaner look. Good for premium retail bags and sleeves where color accuracy matters.
Coated / Functional Kraft
Adds water-based or bio-based barriers—grease-resistant, moisture-resistant, scuff-resistant, heat-seal—for takeaway bags, food wraps, and heat-seal liners.
Recycled Kraft
Partly or 100% recycled fiber; a bit darker with fiber specks—strong sustainability story. Works for e-commerce bags, void fill, and inner wrap. For higher strength, blend with virgin fiber or reinforce the structure.
Sack / Extensible Kraft
Engineered for very high tensile, burst, and tear with added stretch. Used for flour/cement sacks and heavy-duty shopping bags.
Kraftliner (Kraft linerboard)
Higher basis weight and ring-crush strength; used as liners on corrugated sheets to handle logistics stress and stacking.
Typical basis weights & thickness (GSM / μm)
0–70 gsm (≈60–90 μm): inner/anti-scuff wrap, light food wrap
70–120 gsm (≈90–160 μm): retail paper bags, envelopes, light sleeves
120–170 gsm (≈160–230 μm): heavy-duty bags, belly bands, stiffer sleeves/cards
200–300 gsm (board range): folding cartons, display cards, reinforced sleeves
Corrugated liners: pair with E/B/C flutes. Final box strength comes from liner gsm + flute + medium; check finished boxes by ECT/Mullen.
Suitable applications
E-commerce & parcel shipping: Mailer boxes (kraft liners + E/B flutes), paper mailers, honeycomb/expanded-kraft cushioning, roll void fill.
Retail & gifting: Paper shopping bags (twisted/rope/flat handles), gift belly bands, natural-look sleeves and hangtags.
Tags & cards: Craft-feel labels, price tags, card sleeves (add scuff protection if handled a lot).
Inner wrap & pads: Scratch protection for apparel/footwear/home goods; gap-fill for electronics during transit.
Food & takeaway: With grease/moisture/heat-seal barriers for sandwich wraps, takeaway bags, and liners for dry goods (with food-contact compliance).