What GSM is Best For Greaseproof Paper?

Food wrapping papers are widely used by fast food chains to make food serving quick and flexible. The food-grade wrapping papers vary depending on the base and density of the material. Greaseproof paper is one of the food wrapping papers. It has distinct qualities compared to parchment or wax paper. Food businesses use this paper for wrapping burgers and sandwiches. They are lightweight and flexible paper for food packaging.

Greaseproof Papers Making

Greaseproof paper is a lightweight paper made of cellulose fibers. The paper is naturally dense as it undergoes the process of supercalendering. It does not need coating like wax paper or parchment paper. The paper is manufactured by heavy beating and refining of cellulose pulp. This process makes the fiber structure of paper low in porosity. Let’s learn about the production process step by step, which gives us a background to better understand the GSM range.

• Selection of raw material in the form of wood pulp or bamboo blends
• Washing and cleaning of raw fibers to make them food-compliant
• Beating and refining of pulp for binding the fibers tightly
• Sheet making by laying the refined pulp slurry on a paper machine
• Process of drying by squeezing water with pressing rolls and later with steam-heated cylinders
• Sealing of remaining surface gaps in the sheet by applying food-safe agents
• Supercalendering process with metal rolls for maximising density and enhancing smoothness
• Paper is ready for printing and finishing.

Paper passes through high-heat and high-pressure metal/soft calender rolls to compress the structure

GSM of Paper at a Glance

GSM (grams per square meter) measures the weight of custom food paper per square meter. Low GSM paper is lightweight and flexible, while high GSM paper is thick and stiff. The standard GSM range of greaseproof paper is 30 to 50 GSM. For a broader view, we look at the GSM range of other papers.

A Common Misunderstanding about GSM

GSM is commonly misunderstood as a measure of paper strength, covering all aspects like grease resistance. However, GSM is used to measure the mass of the paper per square meter. The mechanical performance of paper depends on the density of fibers and calendering methods. If a buyer wants to know about the weight, flexibility, and grease resistance of a paper, he should focus on the following points.

• Increasing GSM will produce heavier and stiffer paper.
• Paper thickness depends on the density of the paper, not just on the GSM range.
• The grease resistance property of paper is aligned with the fiber structure, not with the GSM.

If you want to buy greaseproof paper with higher tear-resistance characteristics, the higher GSM range will provide a heavier and thicker paper. With a special focus on grease-resistance quality, you need to know about the density and fiber structure of paper. Before buying the paper, you can go for a test called KIT to evaluate the efficacy of the grease-resistance property of paper.

Range of GSM of Greaseproof Paper

By discussing the GSM range of greaseproof paper specifically, you can get a better understanding of its usage and its durability. Now you can differentiate that the thickness of paper does not just depend on GSM but on fiber structure as well. Similarly, the performance of paper as a grease barrier is not related to GSM.

Bakery Wraps and Food Liners 

Greaseproof papers with 30-35 GSM are lightweight food papers. They are used for wrapping bakery items and as liners for lightweight food. The paper is flexible and takes the shape of the food when wrapped around it. It is also used for interleaving due to its flexibility. It performs well as separators for stacking the food. Other properties include grease resistance and food safety.

Greaseproof for wrapping burgers and sandwiches

The 38- 45 GSM range of greaseproof paper offers moderate flexibility and thickness. It provides structural strength that is required for wrapping burgers and sandwiches. They are used as food basket liners because they provide the best grease barrier. They do not tear when exposed to moisture or heat.

Greaseproof for Commercial Use

Greaseproof sheets and rolls around 50 GSM are used in commercial kitchens. They are papers with more body mass and are stiffer. They are used for wrapping dough and blocks of cheese. They also perform well as liners for large trays and kitchen counters due to their structural strength.

Greaseproof Paper Cups and Food Boxes 

Greaseproof paper with a range of 210-300 GSM is used for making cups and food boxes. The thickness of the material makes it tear-resistant, an essential property for food packaging. The paper stiffness ensures structural strength when holding hot cups or food containers.

Printing of Greaseproof Papers with Varied GSM Surfaces

Greaseproof papers below 40 GSM are lightweight papers and require additional care while printing. The printing process includes pressure that can deform the substrate. For greaseproof paper, flexographic printing is good because it puts less pressure on the sheet. Another printing technique is digital printing, which passes paper only once through the machine and gives tremendous results. For paper cups and boxes made with greaseproof, offset and gravure are additional options because of the thickness of the paper.

Food Safe Inks 

For printing food wrapping paper, food-grade inks are used as the papers have direct contact with the food. If the inks are not food-grade, they will contaminate the food and will leave a bad odor. There are several food-grade inks that are used for printing food papers.

• Water-based ink
• Soy-based ink

Final Words 

GSM defines the thickness and stiffness of paper. Buyers acquire light or heavy papers according to the requirements of their product. For oily and greasy food products, higher GSM paper is not sufficient. During the manufacturing process, a dense fiber structure and the application of food-safe agents make the paper grease-proof. Lower GSM papers are lightweight and used for wrapping food due to their flexibility. Higher GSM papers are heavier and thicker, which makes them tear-resistant and durable during shipment. Call us for bulk orders at competitive rates. Custom Greaseproof Paper offers the best quality greaseproof papers with different weights and sizes.

What is the standard GSM of Papers for fried food? 

Food paper’s capacity to resist oil depends on the barrier treatment of the paper during manufacturing. GSM is not helpful in this context.

Can I customise greaseproof papers with my brand logo without limitation of GSM? 

Yes, we provide high-quality printing for light and heavy greaseproof papers. Brands customise logos and brand names for food papers.

Are paper cups and food boxes made of greaseproof paper reliable for food packaging?

We use higher GSM paper for making the paper cups and boxes. The supercalendering process provides an effective grease barrier. For an extra protective barrier, we apply a polyethylene lining, which makes them heat-resistant.

What GSM range is best for wrapping burgers and French fries?

We suggest 38-45 GSM paper for wrapping hot burgers and fries. They maintain their structural strength when in contact with hot food. The sauces of burgers and oil from fries do not leak due to the dense paper structure.