Butcher Paper vs. Parchment Paper: Which One Do I Use for My Business?

Custom noissue Food Wrapping Paper by @oppen.allday

When it comes to serving food, there are many different types of materials you can use. And if you’re a growing food business or hospitality brand, the presentation of your edible creations are essential to thoroughly impress your customers! Avoid dishing out your main digs on plastic or styrofoam, and instead, turn your dining and hospitality experiences into elevated and unforgettable moments with creative packaging as enticing as your food.

To keep edible items and takeout containers fresh and safe from slipping onto laps or surfaces, you’ll want to consider using food-safe materials. Two of the most common are butcher paper and parchment paper.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so which one should you use for your food or hospitality business? Let's take a closer look at each one to find out.

What is butcher paper?

First, let's look at butcher paper and what it's typically used for. Butcher paper is a type of uncoated paper, usually white or light brown in color. As the name implies, butcher paper saw its origins in the meatpacking industry, where butcher shops used it to wrap and store meats.

In the kitchen

Because of this, they made the paper durable and resistant to moisture (blood and other fluids.) Nowadays, butcher paper is used for a variety of different purposes both in the kitchen (and outside it!)

In the kitchen, you can use butcher paper for wrapping meats and fish, as well as lining countertops or cutting boards when prepping food. It can make homemade charcuterie or a makeshift pizza peel.

You can also cook with butcher paper, as it is heat-resistant. Chefs often use it to roast meats and vegetables in the oven, as the paper helps to keep food moist while cooking.

Outside the kitchen

Butcher paper is often used for crafts and other projects. It's also a popular choice for craft projects, such as paper mache.

What are the different types of butcher papers available on the market today?

There are two main types of butcher paper: kraft paper and white butcher paper. Kraft paper is made from 100% recycled materials and is brown. It's also biodegradable and compostable, making it a more environmentally friendly option!

White butcher paper is made from virgin pulp and is bleached to achieve its bright white color. While white butcher paper is often perceived by the customer as being more clean and sanitary, it’s not as environmentally friendly as kraft butcher paper.

Both types of butcher paper are available in multiple thicknesses, from light-duty to extra-heavy duty. For some purposes, like plating, takeout and to-go orders, a thickness of 38gsm will do to ensure your food doesn’t flop around and make a mess.

There's also peach-treated butcher paper, which is white butcher paper that has been treated with a food-safe resin. This treatment helps to resist moisture and grease further, making it a good option for wrapping oily or fatty foods. The name "peach paper" comes from the treated paper having a peachy-colored finish.

What is parchment paper?

Parchment paper is a type of specialty paper made from wood pulp and coated with a food-safe silicone. This silicone coating gives the paper a non-stick surface, making it ideal for baking. The paper is also heat resistant, so you can use it up to 420-450 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven.

Parchment paper can be used for lining baking sheets and cake pans, wrapping fish or meats, making homemade ravioli or dumplings, and even folding into makeshift envelopes for 'sous vide' cooking.

What are the different types of parchment paper available?

Bleached and unbleached are available for food use, but bleached parchment paper is treated with chlorine to achieve its bright white color. This makes it less environmentally friendly than unbleached parchment paper, which is still as useful as the former but can be more easily composted.

Unbleached parchment paper is made from 100% virgin pulp and has a more natural off-white color. It's also more eco-friendly than bleached parchment paper, and can actually come in different appearances other than the typical bland brown!

Is parchment paper the same as butcher paper?

No, parchment paper is not the same as butcher paper. Butcher is more versatile, as it can be used for cooking, wrapping, and crafts. Parchment paper is coated with a food-safe silicone, which gives it a non-stick surface.

Both are also different in terms of temperature tolerance. Parchment paper can be used up to 420-450 degrees Fahrenheit, while butcher paper has a higher temperature tolerance and can be used up to 500+ degrees Fahrenheit.

Which type of paper is more eco-friendly?

Whether or not one type of paper is more eco-friendly than the other depends on how it's made. For butcher paper, it depends if there's a lining on the inside. Aluminum lining can be used to increase the paper's heat resistance for things like barbeque cooking. If there's no such lining, then the paper is compostable and biodegradable. Unbleached parchment paper, on the other hand, is more environmentally friendly because it's made from 100% virgin pulp and can be completely composted.

How to choose the right type of paper for your business

So, which one should you use for your business? That will depend on your brand’s needs! If you're looking for a versatile option that you can use for cooking, wrapping, and more, then butcher paper is a good choice. If you're looking for a paper mainly used for baking, then parchment paper is a good option. Whichever you choose, your good decisions don’t have to stop solely at the materials used in your food packaging. Why not make your food look even more fantastic with creatively designed food wrapping paper?

At noissue, we have food-safe and compostable butcher paper and parchment paper. Our food wrapping papers are available in many colors and sizes that fit your beautiful branding!

Durability

Don’t underestimate the power of high-quality food wrapping paper that’s also as eco-friendly as they come! While noissue Food Wrapping Paper currently comes uncoated, it’s sturdy enough to wrap around sandwiches, burgers, pastries, and confectionery. It’s also greaseproof, so your customer’s won’t have to worry about sticky hands after enjoying their meal. Just be sure to avoid packaging super saucy entrees or liquids with this product.

After chowing down, customers can toss their food packaging into a home compost for a guilt-free eating experience all around. No harm done to the environment, at the end of the day!

Branding

With noissue, you can print your branding on both recycled coated paper and food wrapping paper. It's a great way to add a personal touch to your packaging and make it stand out from the rest! You can also choose to have your branding printed in full color with our signature non-toxic inks that won’t leak into your food.

Beginner-friendly designing

Our platform is user-friendly, even for those who have never designed with it before. With our easy-to-use tools, you can create a professional-looking design in no time!

If you need help along the way, our Design team is always happy to assist in turning your logo into a repeating pattern, ensuring the right shades of color are printed, and more.

FDA Approved

All of our products are FDA approved and BPA free. This means that they are safe for direct food contact and wrapping within takeout containers. You can rest assured knowing that your customers are safe when using your packaging, and that your business isn’t leaving a negative impact on the planet!

🎁 Wrapping it Up

Get started with designing your brand’s custom food wrapping paper here, and check out our coated greaseproof option! And if you’re a budding hospitality brand that needs custom packaging in wholesale quantities, it’s no sweat. noissue Plus can work with you on designing your brand’s wholesale food packaging supplies without the headache.