Kraft paper packaging has the advantages of easy processing, low cost, suitable for printing, light and foldable, non-toxic, tasteless, and non-polluting. However, whether it is self-kraft paper or yellow kraft paper packaging, it has poor water resistance and poor strength when it is wet. This is a disadvantage that cannot be ignored. Therefore, when using kraft paper packaging, we must give full play to the advantages of kraft paper packaging based on its strengths and circumventing its weaknesses.
What is Kraft Paper
Simply put, kraft paper is a kind of paper made from softwood pulp. It has high tear resistance, fracture energy, and dynamic strength. Most of them are rolls, and there are also flat papers Kraft paper is tough and strong, and its color is tan brown. Semi-bleached and fully bleached kraft paper can also be cream or white. Kraft paper has high tear and dynamic strength, is flexible and tough, and is resistant to pulling and wear. The main uses are very common. It is often used in paper bags, exercise books, envelopes, etc.
Characteristics of Kraft Paper
Packaging kraft paper has the characteristics of being environmentally friendly, reusable, and cost-saving. As the entire international market increases its requirements for the environmental protection of packaging materials, kraft paper has become a preferred packaging material due to its high strength and environmental protection. In addition, kraft paper has another characteristic: kraft paper packaging materials do not need to be tested separately when passing through customs.
Of course, as a packaging material, it definitely needs to have high-strength compression resistance. This is because many products need to undergo logistics transportation. During transportation, some packaging problems are prone to occur, such as being squeezed to a certain extent. The folding resistance and toughness of kraft paper are both very good.
To prevent color inconsistency, Pantone or CMYK is required for printing. If you want to print monochrome, spot color printing is the best choice! The difference between kraft paper and cardboard 1. The difference in weight Paper with a weight of more than 150G can be called cardboard, otherwise it is kraft paper. The thicker paper is cardboard, and the thinner paper is kraft paper. Therefore, the hardness of the cardboard is greater than that of the kraft paper. 2. The difference in use Kraft paper is mainly used by some large manufacturers as packaging for product transportation. Kraft paper is mainly used in daily life paper bags, envelopes, exercise books, etc. 3. The difference in price Due to the different thickness of kraft paper and cardboard, if calculated by unit sheet, cardboard is much more expensive than kraft paper. However, if calculated by unit bale or ton, it is the opposite. Because the cardboard is thicker, the number of times it needs to be processed is less, which in turn reduces the cost.
Printing Characteristics of Kraft Paper
Usually kraft paper has two basic colors, brown and white
White paper is bleached through chemical technology, usually used for printing, while brown kraft paper is used for more packaging.
White kraft paper packaging has many advantages such as health and safety, environmental protection, and high cost performance.
It is produced entirely from wood pulp, from artificial forest rather than natural forests, and white kraft paper can be recycled and reused.
Printing Process of Kraft Paper
Kraft paper has become one of the materials that designers like to use very much due to its special texture and feel. When printing kraft paper, pay attention to the following aspects:
1. The choice of printing equipment: The surface of the kraft paper is relatively rough, and it is necessary to choose the appropriate printing equipment. It is generally recommended to use a letterpress printing machine or a flexographic printing machine. During the printing process, it is necessary to control the pressure of the coordinating roller and the pressure roller to ensure a clear printing effect.
2. Printing color and pattern design techniques: The wrinkles and textures on the surface of kraft paper will affect the printing effect. When designing, it is necessary to design according to the surface characteristics of kraft paper and avoid overly complex patterns or details.
3. Common kraft paper printing effects: Common kraft paper printing effects include hot stamping, silver stamping, embossing, and drum&#;. In order for these effects to appear, it is necessary to control the temperature and pressure during printing, and use suitable printing inks. If there are large areas of solid colors and halftone dots (or very thin lines) in a single color, it is best to divide the solid colors and halftone dots (or very thin lines) into two plates for printing. Otherwise, if the solid color part is printed in place, the halftone dots (or lines) will easily become blurred. If the halftone dots or lines are printed clearly, the solid color part will easily have white spots. If the printing effect requirements are strict, it is difficult to take both into account, so it is necessary to use two printing plates to do it.
Types of Kraft Papers
Kraft papers usually retain its original brown, suitable for making bags and wrapping paper. Kraft papers have different uses depending on their properties and application. Kraft paper is a generalized name for a type of paper, not a fixed standard. It's usually classified based on its properties and uses.
They can be classified by their colors into the following categories:
Natural kraft paper, reddish brown kraft paper, white kraft paper, smooth kraft paper, single-gloss kraft paper, double-color kraft paper, etc.
They can be classified by use into the following categories:
Packaging kraft paper, waterproof kraft paper, moisture-proof kraft paper, rust-proof kraft paper, pattern-making kraft paper, manufacturing process kraft paper, insulating kraft paperboard, kraft stickers, etc.
They can be classified by materials into the following categories:
Recycled kraft paper, kraft core paper, kraft base paper, rough-surface kraft paper, waxed kraft paper, wood pulp kraft paper, composite kraft paper, etc.
Differences in the source of raw materials, the production batch, the season of production, the production machinery, etc., can cause significant differences in the color of kraft paper rolls. Such chromatic variations are unavoidable and can't be controlled. Generally, kraft paper from the same batch can guarantee 98% color consistency.
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Kraft Paper vs. Bleached Paper
Kraft paper has many unique advantages over bleached paper. For the packaging of home-cooked food, such as barbecue or home-cooked food, the natural brown color of kraft paper makes the packaging look warm and nostalgic. For a steak restaurant with a rural atmosphere and wood-based decor, kraft paper is used for takeout food packaging, so that you can feel the style of the restaurant even if you are not dining in. The unique appearance of kraft paper alone makes it stand out more than packaging that is white overall.
Kraft Paper vs. Paper Bag Paper
Paper bag paper is similar to kraft paper, and most of it is produced with coniferous wood sulfate pulp. In China, some bamboo pulp, cotton stalk pulp, and rag pulp are also used for production, so paper bag paper has a very high mechanical strength and is generally used for making packaging bags for cement, pesticides, fertilizers and other industrial products. In order to meet the requirements of filling, paper bag paper requires a certain degree of air permeability and a large elongation.
Kraft paper includes box board paper, cement bag paper, high-strength corrugated paper, and tea-colored board paper. Kraft paper is a high-strength wrapping paper made of coniferous wood sulfate natural pulp, which is tough and strong and has a yellow-brown paper surface. From the appearance, it can be divided into single-sided light, double-sided light, striped, unstriped, etc. The quality requirements are slightly different. Kraft paper is mainly used for making small paper bags, file bags, and inner packaging for industrial products, textiles, and daily necessities. Kraft paper is divided into three grades: U, A, and B.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Kraft Paper
Advantages
Kraft paper packaging is made from eco-friendly materials;
Strong Kraft forms excellent quality Kraft paper boxes;
Kraft paper packaging is the most cost-effective packaging option;
Kraft paper packaging has a wide range of uses in the commercial sector;
Kraft paper boxes have better graphic printing capabilities;
Kraft paper boxes are easy to personalize and customize.
Disadvantages
The main disadvantage is that Kraft paper cannot get wet, a little water will soften the paper, so the bag must be stored in a dry place. If you want to store liquid products, try not to use Kraft paper. Or if you want to use Kraft paper, you can choose to add a layer of waterproof PE film.
Because plant cellulose is the main component of Kraft paper, and the process of Kraft paper making results in another disadvantage of Kraft paper: Kraft paper is often rougher than ordinary paper. If you need your packaging product to be smooth and beautiful, then Kraft paper is not competent. Kraft paper advocates environmental protection, health, retro, warmth and simplicity.
Impact of Kraft Paper on Businesses
1. Kraft paper packaging can reduce shipping costs, as it doesn&#;t add much weight to the package.
2. The low lignin content in the Kraft paper makes the paper stronger and more durable than other materials.
3. The texture has high-tensile strength, and its flexibility provides a greater product protection.
4. Design elements can be incorporated to give it a simple yet aesthetic appeal. The natural material gives a simplistic and attractive feel and look to the packaging.
5. Eco-Friendly, Kraft paper is recyclable and reusable and is biodegradable in nature. Potential customers will appreciate your environmentally conscious actions, perceiving it as a positive reflection of your brand persona.
With the modern demand for eco-friendly products and practices being higher than ever, Kraft paper products will be welcomed by customers, providing your business with a packaging solution that is not just cost-effective but also environmentally responsible.
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