Pick tray liner paper on the print brief alone and the first tray of fried chicken will tell you what you missed. Pick it on grease resistance alone and the promotion you paid for prints dull and flat. The right grade sits between what the food does to the sheet and what the design needs from it. This guide compares the five papers most often used for custom printed tray liners: greaseproof (white and brown), kraft, offset, coated glossy and coated matt, with decision rules by menu type.
Which paper is best for tray liners?
The food decides first, the design second. Greaseproof paper at about 40 gsm suits fried and greasy food, kraft at about 70 gsm suits a natural, casual look, offset paper at about 80 gsm gives the best colour for the cost on dry food, and coated glossy or matt paper at about 90 to 115 gsm gives the strongest photographic print.
| Criterion | Greaseproof (about 40 gsm) | Kraft (about 70 gsm) | Offset (about 80 gsm) | Coated glossy (about 90-115 gsm) | Coated matt (about 90-115 gsm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grease resistance | High, if a true greaseproof grade | Low to moderate | Low | Low | Low |
| Colour brightness | Medium; translucent | Lower; brown base | High | Highest | High, softer |
| Photographic print | Limited | Poor | Good | Excellent | Very good |
| Sheet stiffness | Low; flexible | Medium | Medium | High | High |
| Feel in the hand | Light, crisp, slightly translucent | Natural, slightly rough | Smooth paper | Slick, shiny | Smooth, subdued |
| Best food contact | Fried food, burgers, fish | Dry bakery, sandwiches, snacks | Dry food, salads | Packaged items | Packaged items, drinks |
| Typical look | Wrap-like, functional | Craft, street food | Clean, standard menu | Promotional, kids' | Premium café |
Weights are typical market ranges, not fixed grades; actual grades and weights are confirmed at quotation. A summary of paper families for packaging is in packaging paper grades explained.
Is greaseproof paper the right choice for tray liners?
Greaseproof is the right choice when food or its packaging leaks fat onto the liner: fried chicken, burgers in loose wrap, fish and chips, kebabs. It is a thin, dense, highly refined paper that resists oil penetration, so fat stays on the surface instead of soaking through. For dry food it is often unnecessary, and its translucency and low stiffness limit design options.
What to know when specifying it:
- Weight: about 40 gsm is typical for tray liners; heavier grades add stiffness at higher cost
- Colour: white and brown are both available; white gives cleaner colour, brown gives a natural, craft look and hides marks
- Barrier: ask for a measured grease resistance rating, such as KIT, and for fluorine-free confirmation; see KIT test and grease resistance ratings explained and PFAS-free food packaging
- Show-through: print can be visible from the reverse on thin translucent sheets, which is usually fine on a liner but affects the choice of artwork
- Flatness: thin sheets can curl in humid or hot conditions; stacking, storage and tray fit matter
Differences between greaseproof, parchment, wax and deli papers are covered in greaseproof vs parchment vs wax paper vs deli paper, which owns the wrapping-paper side of the comparison.
Offset, glossy or matt: what does coated paper add?
Coated paper adds a smooth mineral coating that holds ink on the surface, which gives sharper detail, stronger colour and a controlled finish. Glossy coating reflects light and makes colours look richer; matt coating reduces glare and fingerprints and makes small text easier to read on a table. Offset paper without coating is more absorbent and gives softer, more natural colour at a lower cost.
Practical differences:
- Gloss is strongest for photographs and bold colour fields; it can reflect light and show fingerprints and scuffs
- Matt is easier to read under restaurant lighting, with a more subdued, premium look
- Uncoated offset has a bit more tooth, takes handwriting better and is generally the lowest cost of the three
- Coating is not a grease barrier: oil can penetrate through the sheet and mark the print, particularly at edges and folds
- Heavier coated sheets feel more substantial and lie flatter, but weigh more and cost more per sheet
If the liner is full-colour, will hold packaged food or drinks and will not sit under loose fried food, coated paper is a good choice. If the same tray carries a basket of fries or unwrapped burgers, greaseproof or a layered approach (a greaseproof wrap or basket liner in the basket, a coated liner under it) usually works better.
When does kraft make sense for tray liners?
Kraft makes sense when the brand wants a natural, craft or street-food look and the artwork uses one or two strong colours. Kraft is typically unbleached or lightly bleached and brown, which mutes bright and light colours, so white ink is difficult and photographs lose punch.
Specifics:
- Typical weight is about 70 gsm for liners, which gives more body than 40 gsm greaseproof
- Plain kraft is not a grease barrier; specify greaseproof or grease-resistant kraft if fried food is involved
- Dark inks (black, deep red, dark green) reproduce best; light shades and pastels look dull
- Kraft suits diner, burger-shack and craft-bakery concepts and fits the look of kraft boxes and bags in the same range
Colour-matching a kraft liner to white printed items can be a challenge; discuss expected shade variation and approve a printed sample against the other items in your set.
Is 40 gsm or 90 gsm better for tray liners?
Neither is better in general. Forty gsm greaseproof is light, flexible and resists oil, and it usually costs less per sheet than heavier coated paper; 90 gsm coated paper is stiffer, opaque and photographic but has no grease barrier. Choose 40 gsm for oily food and 90 gsm and above for premium print on drier items.
| Question | 40 gsm greaseproof | 90 gsm coated |
|---|---|---|
| Will oily food sit directly on it? | Yes, suitable | No, it will mark |
| Is full-colour photography important? | Limited | Yes, strong |
| Does it need to lie flat without curling? | Can curl | Lies flatter |
| Is cost per sheet critical at high volume? | Lower | Higher |
| Does the design need to be read from both sides? | Shows through | Opaque |
For a rough weight check, an A3 sheet weighs about 5 g at 40 gsm and about 11 g at 90 gsm, so the heavier option is more than double the paper per sheet. The size table is in tray liner sizes.
How does paper choice affect print and food contact?
Paper choice sets which print processes work and how ink behaves on the sheet. Coated and offset papers print well by offset lithography; greaseproof and kraft are commonly printed by flexography; digital printing suits short runs on coated and offset papers. On a liner, the printed face often touches food or food packaging, so ink and coating suitability also matters.
The three links to follow:
- Print by paper, coverage and ink behaviour: tray liner printing
- Printing on thin greaseproof in particular: printing on greaseproof paper
- Food-contact obligations and PFAS: are tray liners packaging?
Paper specification checklist for a tray liner quotation
Send the following so that the paper can be matched and a printed sample proposed:
- Food types most often placed on the tray, and whether fried food touches the liner directly
- Preferred paper family and weight, or the current liner as a reference sample
- Colour requirements: spot colours, CMYK, and whether the design is full bleed
- Finish: glossy, matt or natural
- Documentation required: food-contact declaration, fluorine-free or PFAS statement, ink information
- Size and corner style
- Volume per design
Use the packaging RFQ guide for the rest of the request. Return to custom printed tray liners and placemats for sizes and shapes, or send your paper brief.