Blog/Brown Butchers Paper vs Greaseproof Paper for Cafés

Brown Butchers Paper vs Greaseproof Paper for Cafés

On this page 7 sections
  1. Does Packery sell brown butchers paper?
  2. What is the difference between butchers paper and greaseproof paper?
  3. Can I use greaseproof paper instead of brown butchers paper?
  4. Which greaseproof sheets does Packery stock?
  5. Which one should I buy?
  6. Can I get greaseproof paper printed with my logo?
  7. How do I order?

Packery does not stock brown butchers paper. If you need a sheet for wrapping burgers, lining baskets or covering trays, our greaseproof paper sheets do that job, and they come pre-cut in white and printed styles from $0.01 each.

We also don't carry an unbleached (brown) greaseproof sheet at the moment. Our range is white or printed, so this guide explains how brown butchers paper differs from greaseproof paper and which of our sheets to use instead.

Key takeaways

  • Packery does not sell brown butchers paper or an unbleached greaseproof sheet. The food paper range is white and printed greaseproof paper.
  • Butchers paper is a heavier, general wrapping paper. Greaseproof paper is made to hold back oil and fat at the surface.
  • For lining baskets and wrapping greasy food, greaseproof paper is the closer fit.
  • Sheets are sold by the carton (see the product page for the current price). The least expensive sheet in this range is the Greaseproof Paper – White Economy 1/4 Cut (Carton of 1600) at $0.01 each.
  • There is no minimum order, and every product page shows the carton price and the price per item.

Does Packery sell brown butchers paper?

No. We don't stock brown butchers paper in rolls or sheets. What we do stock is greaseproof paper in pre-cut sheets, which covers most of the front-of-house jobs cafés and takeaway shops use brown paper for: lining serving baskets, wrapping burgers and sandwiches, and sitting under fried food.

If you specifically want a brown, rustic look, our range won't match it exactly. The closest visual alternative is the Greaseproof Paper – Newsprint Large (Carton of 200), which has a printed newsprint pattern and gives a casual, market-style look on a tray or in a basket.

Products in this guide

Sold by the carton · price per item shownAll food paper →

What is the difference between butchers paper and greaseproof paper?

Butchers paper is a general-purpose wrapping paper, usually thicker and sold on large rolls. Greaseproof paper is a denser, smoother sheet made so that oil and fat stay on the surface longer instead of soaking straight through.

In practice the difference shows up in what each one is good at:

  • Butchers paper is used for wrapping raw meat at a counter, covering benches, and slow-cooking or resting meat in barbecue kitchens. Its strength is bulk and toughness.
  • Greaseproof paper is used where food is oily and meets the customer: fish and chips, burgers, fried chicken, pastries and toasties. Its strength is keeping grease off hands, baskets and tables.

Brown butchers paper is brown because it is unbleached kraft paper. White and printed greaseproof sheets are a different product, cut to set sizes for serving and presentation rather than bulk wrapping.

Can I use greaseproof paper instead of brown butchers paper?

Yes, for serving and wrapping ready-to-eat food. Greaseproof sheets line baskets, wrap burgers and sit under hot chips, which is how most cafés and food trucks use brown paper day to day.

Where greaseproof paper is not a straight swap is for jobs that need a long, heavy roll, such as wrapping large cuts of raw meat at a butcher's counter or covering a full bench. Our sheets are pre-cut to set sizes, so they suit portion-sized food rather than bulk wrapping.

Which greaseproof sheets does Packery stock?

We stock white economy greaseproof sheets in three cuts and printed sheets in half, regular and large sizes. All are sold by the carton, and the price per item below is taken from each product page.

ProductSizeColourCarton qty
Greaseproof Paper – White Economy 1/4 Cut (Carton of 1600)205x330mmWhite1600
Greaseproof Paper – White Economy 1/3 Cut (Carton of 1200)410x220mmWhite1200
Greaseproof Paper – White Economy 1/2 Cut (Carton of 800)410x330mmWhite800
Greaseproof Paper – Newsprint Half (Carton of 400)190x150mmNewsprint400
Greaseproof Paper – Yellow Gingham (Carton of 200)190x300mmYellow200
Greaseproof Paper – Newsprint Large (Carton of 200)400x330mmNewsprint200
Greaseproof Paper – Black Gingham Large (Carton of 200)400x330mmBlack200

The large printed sheets also come in green, red and blue gingham, and the half sheets come in yellow, black, green and red gingham, all at the same carton prices as the matching size above. You can see every option on the food paper page.

Which one should I buy?

Match the sheet to the food and the container, not the other way round. Here is how we'd split it by venue:

If you are trying to replace brown butchers paper only because it looks natural, the newsprint sheets are the nearest look we carry. If you are replacing it for function, the white economy cuts are the practical choice.

Custom printing with your logo is available on selected products, and you can see what is on offer on the custom print page. The greaseproof sheets listed above are stock prints, not custom-printed. For more on branded sheets, read our guide to custom printed greaseproof paper. If you are weighing up white wrapping paper instead, our post on white butcher paper covers that comparison.

How do I order?

There is no minimum order, so you can buy a single carton to try a size. Delivery is a flat fee set by your postcode, and free once an order passes a set amount; checkout shows the exact cost, and today's rates are on the shipping page. Orders take 3–5 business days to capital cities and 4–6 business days to regional areas.

All orders are prepaid online. Damaged or faulty items are replaced or refunded free; unopened stock cartons can be returned within 7 days of delivery (10% restocking fee, return delivery at your cost). If you already know the sheets you want, use quick order to add them in one go.

Setting up or restocking your packaging?

Send us your list for a trade quote, or price it yourself in the cost calculator.

No minimum order · free delivery over $750 (metro) / $1000 (regional) · damaged items replaced free · Delivery details

Related guides

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