Kraft paper is a strong, unbleached paper made from wood pulp by the kraft process, and it is the familiar brown material behind shipping boxes, grocery bags and wrapping. The Best Price Boxes makes custom kraft boxes and bags with no minimum order and beats any written quote.
Why it is called kraft
Kraft comes from the German word for strength. The kraft process cooks wood chips in a chemical solution that dissolves the lignin and leaves long, intact fibers. Those long fibers are what give the paper its tear resistance. The brown color is the natural color of the pulp, since kraft is normally left unbleached.
Bleached kraft exists too, giving a white or lighter surface that takes printing more cleanly. The base paper is still strong, only the color changes.
Common types of kraft paper
Natural brown kraft is the standard: earthy, rough, and a good match for brands that want a handmade or eco look. Bleached white kraft prints brighter colors. Coated and laminated variants add moisture resistance or a smoother print surface. Kraft liner is the flat outer layer of corrugated board, and kraft paperboard is the thicker, stiffer version used for folding cartons. See corrugated cardboard for how the liner works with a fluted layer.
Where kraft fits in packaging
Kraft is a natural choice for mailers, tuck-top boxes, sleeves, food cartons and shopping bags. The texture and color suit candles, soaps, coffee, apparel and small-batch food. Browse kraft boxes, kraft tuck top boxes, kraft sleeve boxes and kraft bags.
It is a weaker choice when you need very bright, saturated color. Ink on brown kraft looks darker and more muted than on white, and light colors disappear. Many brands lean into that, using one or two dark inks and letting the brown do the work.
Kraft and sustainability claims
Paper made from wood fiber is generally recyclable where local programs accept it, and kraft is easy to recycle when it is not heavily coated or laminated. Be careful with wording, though. A claim such as recyclable, compostable or made from recycled content depends on the specific material, coatings and your local rules. Ask us to confirm any claim for your spec before it goes on a box. For a broader sustainable range, see our eco-friendly boxes.
How to order kraft packaging
Send the box or bag style, dimensions and quantity through the quote form. One unit is fine. If you hold a written quote from another supplier for the same specs, attach it and we will beat it. Free design help and free samples are part of how we work. Tell us the artwork colors early, because ink behaves differently on brown.
Questions buyers ask
What is kraft paper made of?
Wood pulp, processed by the kraft chemical method that removes lignin and keeps the long fibers. Those fibers give the paper its strength. It is usually unbleached, which is why it is brown.
Is kraft paper recyclable?
Generally yes, where local programs accept paper, as long as it is not heavily coated or laminated. Claims depend on the exact material and your area, so ask us to confirm before printing one.
Can you print on kraft paper?
Yes. Ink on brown kraft looks darker and more muted than on white, and light colors do not show. Designs with one or two dark inks work best. Send your artwork and we will confirm what suits your spec.
Is there a minimum order for kraft boxes?
No. We make custom kraft packaging with no minimum order, so you can order a single box or bag to check the color and fit before a larger run.