Custom Tissue Paper for Food Packaging: Your Guide to Greaseproof Options
Food businesses face a unique packaging challenge: they need wrapping that looks beautiful, keeps food fresh, and meets strict safety standards. Custom printed greaseproof tissue paper ticks all these boxes, offering a practical and attractive solution for bakeries, delis, cafés, restaurants, and food retailers.
This guide covers everything you need to know about using custom tissue paper for food packaging, from safety standards to design tips.
What Is Greaseproof Tissue Paper?
Greaseproof tissue paper is a specially treated paper that resists oil and grease penetration. Unlike standard tissue paper, which would quickly become translucent and soggy when in contact with fatty foods, greaseproof tissue maintains its integrity and appearance.
Our greaseproof tissue paper is 40gsm, giving it the weight and durability needed for food service applications while still offering the beautiful aesthetic of traditional tissue paper.
Food Safety Standards
All tissue paper used for direct food contact must meet specific safety requirements:
Food-Safe Inks
The inks used for printing food-grade tissue paper must be specially formulated to be safe for food contact. Our food-safe inks are:
- Non-toxic
- Odourless when dry
- Resistant to transfer onto food
- Compliant with UK and EU food contact regulations
BRC Certification
Look for suppliers who hold BRC (British Retail Consortium) certification for food packaging. This internationally recognised standard ensures that manufacturing processes meet the highest food safety requirements.
Migration Testing
Quality food packaging undergoes migration testing to ensure that no harmful substances transfer from the paper to the food. This is particularly important for fatty and moist foods, which are more likely to interact with packaging materials.
Applications for Food Businesses
Bakeries
Greaseproof tissue paper is a bakery essential:
- Wrapping pastries and cakes: Protect baked goods while showcasing your brand
- Lining cake boxes: Add a branded touch inside every box
- Counter service: Wrap items at the point of sale for a professional presentation
- Bread wrapping: Partially wrap artisan loaves for a rustic, premium look
Custom printed tissue with your bakery logo makes every item look like it came from a premium establishment.
Delis and Food Halls
- Sandwich wrapping: Branded tissue paper makes every sandwich look gourmet
- Cheese and charcuterie wrapping: Add sophistication to your counter service
- Hamper lining: Line gift hampers with branded tissue for a luxurious presentation
- Takeaway packaging: Wrap items for customers to take home
Cafés and Restaurants
- Tray liners: Custom printed tissue paper as tray liners reinforces your brand at every meal
- Cutlery wrapping: Roll cutlery in branded tissue for an elegant table setting
- Takeaway wrapping: Wrap sandwiches, wraps, and pastries in branded tissue
- Basket liners: Line bread baskets and serving baskets with your branded tissue
Food Retailers
- Product wrapping: Wrap artisan food products in branded tissue before placing in bags
- Gift hampers: Line premium food gift hampers with custom tissue
- Market stalls: Stand out at farmers' markets and food festivals with branded wrapping
- Subscription boxes: Add a branded layer to food subscription deliveries
Design Considerations for Food Tissue Paper
Keep It Appetising
Your tissue paper design should enhance the appeal of the food, not distract from it. Consider:
- Warm colours: Creams, warm whites, and natural tones work well with food
- Simple patterns: A clean logo repeat or simple pattern looks professional
- Avoid busy designs: The food should be the star, not the packaging
Practical Design Tips
- Consider grease visibility: Dark-coloured tissue paper hides grease marks better than light colours
- Logo placement: Position your logo so it is visible when the tissue is wrapped around food
- Contact information: Include your website or social media handle so customers can find you
- Keep text minimal: Tissue paper is not the place for lengthy messages
Seasonal Variations
Many food businesses order seasonal tissue paper designs:
- Christmas: Festive patterns for holiday hampers and gift wrapping
- Easter: Spring-themed tissue for Easter treats
- Valentine's Day: Romantic designs for chocolate boxes and gift packages
- Summer: Fresh, bright designs for summer food festivals
Ordering Food-Safe Tissue Paper
Minimum Orders
Our minimum order for custom printed greaseproof tissue paper starts at 250 sheets. This makes it accessible for small bakeries and cafés as well as larger food businesses.
Standard Sizes
The most common size is 50x70cm, which is versatile enough for most food wrapping applications. Custom sizes are available for specific requirements.
Lead Times
Standard lead time is 7 days. For seasonal orders, we recommend placing orders at least 3-4 weeks in advance to ensure timely delivery.
Storage
Store your tissue paper in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and strong odours. Food-grade packaging should be stored separately from non-food items to prevent contamination.
Cost Considerations
Greaseproof tissue paper is slightly more expensive than standard tissue due to the specialised treatment and food-safe inks. However, the cost per sheet remains very competitive, especially for larger orders.
Consider the marketing value: every piece of branded tissue paper that wraps a sandwich or lines a cake box is a branding opportunity that costs pennies.
Environmental Credentials
Our greaseproof tissue paper is:
- Made from FSC-certified sources
- Recyclable (when not heavily soiled with food)
- Compostable in commercial composting facilities
- Manufactured using eco-friendly processes
- Plastic-free
For food businesses committed to sustainability, greaseproof tissue paper is an excellent alternative to plastic wrap and waxed paper.
Get Started
Ready to add branded greaseproof tissue paper to your food business? Send us your logo and design ideas, and we will create a free mockup. Our team has extensive experience working with food businesses of all sizes and can advise on the best options for your specific needs.
For full specs on our food-safe 40gsm greaseproof option, see our materials page. The Food Standards Agency covers UK regulations around food contact materials if you need to check compliance requirements.