Your guide to buying custom printed tissue paper

If you are ordering for the first time, begin with size and materials. If your paper specification already works, go straight to colours or artwork. If you are reordering, review quantity and timing before changing a successful design.

1. Choose the tissue’s job. Write down the product, its packed dimensions and whether the tissue will touch it directly. Identify any separate protection or specialist material requirement.
2. Make a plain-paper mock-up. Test the wrap in the actual box or bag. Note the dimensions and how many sheets it uses.
3. Compare the paper weights. Try 17gsm and 30gsm with the same product and fold. Check show-through, corner bulk and ease of packing.
4. Prepare the logo and colours. Find the original artwork and any Pantone references. Decide whether the design needs spot inks, CMYK or a coloured background.
5. Plan the quantity. Multiply expected orders by the tested sheets per pack, add a realistic allowance and check storage space.
6. Review and approve the proof. Check spelling, dimensions, logo scale, repeat direction and colour instructions. Resolve questions before production begins.

For example, a clothing brand might first test a light single-colour repeat around its folded garments. A gift brand may prefer the feel of 30gsm. Those are starting trials, not rules: your actual product and pack should determine the specification.

The sample pack costs £20, with delivery to UK mainland and Ireland included. It contains examples from previous production runs, so it lets you compare material and printing rather than approve your own design.

Use the builder for configurable online orders or Quick Order for the fixed package specification. Agencies can request discreet, unbranded delivery direct to their clients; include that requirement in the order details.

Order quantity, sheet size, weight and print choice affect the price. Larger quantities can lower the unit cost, but also tie up more money and storage. Compare the number of usable packs you will get, especially if one presentation uses twice as many sheets as another.

Tissue cost per pack = price per sheet × sheets used in that pack. Add seals, protective packaging and packing time to compare the whole process. A more elaborate fold can add labour even if the tissue itself costs the same.

When comparing quotes, check that the finished dimensions, piece count, artwork work, delivery and tax treatment are stated consistently. Confirm the total payable rather than assuming every supplier includes the same items.

Typical turnaround is seven working days from artwork approval. Proof revisions happen before that clock starts. For a launch, event or seasonal rush, give the required arrival date at enquiry stage and leave time for checks and any changes.

• Business name, contact details and delivery postcode or Eircode.
• The product you are packing, its dimensions and a photo of the box or bag if useful.
• Finished sheet size, preferred weight and total usable sheets required.
• Logo artwork, colour references, repeat style and any background colour.
• Any direct food contact, delicate-product or sourcing requirement.
• Your desired delivery date, plus unbranded delivery instructions if applicable.

It is fine to leave a choice open if you need advice. Describe the result you need and send the details you do have through the quote form.

GSM

Grams per square metre: paper mass per area, rather than a direct measure of thickness.

Spot colour

A separately specified printing ink, often referenced using a Pantone number.

CMYK

Cyan, magenta, yellow and black process inks used together to reproduce many colours.

Flood print

A design with ink across a large area, often used to create a coloured background.

Repeat

A logo or motif appearing multiple times across the sheet so the design works in different folds.

Proof

The artwork representation you check and approve before production. A digital proof is not a physical colour sample.