A bakery that is wrapping pastries in plain white wax paper is sitting on a branding opportunity they may not realize: wax paper’s light, often near-white base absorbs printed color better than bag or butcher paper’s brown kraft tone. Unlike kraft substrates, printed wax paper does not require the same type of color-correction workaround, and that makes it one of the easier custom-print items in a bakery or cafe’s packaging repertoire, not the trickier and more difficult one most operators think.
Once printing comes into the equation, what custom wax paper needs?
Custom wax paper for printing is the same paraffin / soy-coated stock recommended above, single- or double-side lamination, 20 to 120 GSM, depending on the job. In the case of printing, the coated surface is able to accept flexo or digital ink without any issues, as the base color of a piece of wax paper is light and does not oppose the ink as kraft paper will. This type of bakery packaging paper maintains the actual color of the logo close to the design file without requiring additional proofs.
A restaurant’s wax paper with a logo is simpler to get correct than it seems.
Adding the logo to restaurant wax paper means that the wrap customers already come into contact with is branded at no extra packaging cost; only the print step costs money. When printed on the light base, the bakery can order an exact PMS red or brand-specific pastel and know that this color will actually be red on the light base, whereas if it were ordered on a similar paper base such as kraft, it may not be red. Unlike flexographic printing, which will only become economically viable for a multi-location bakery group when reorders are made at real volume, digital printing can still be profitable with small first orders, as is the case with a single cafe. In either case, the price of the brand remains proportional to the order, not a flat tax no matter how large or small the order is.
Printed Wax Paper Specs that Really Count
Most bakery/cafes print on 35-50 GSM printed wax paper, single-sided lamination for pastry/sandwich wrap, double-sided lamination for anything greasier. Up to four colors; PMS matching is available for exact brand colors. Digital printing is profitable for runs under about 1,000 sheets, and flexographic printing becomes profitable at around the few-thousand-sheet mark. Typical turnaround is 4-6 business days following art and color approval. The food-safe ink is on the coated side, just like any print on wax paper.
The first order costing mistake
The error is to take the fact that custom food wrapping paper is easier to print on as an excuse not to do a physical proof. Easier is not automatic ,check the full run for an exact PMS match. Use single-sided lamination for dry pastries, and double-sided lamination for those with real grease or moisture so that the print is not on a sheet that will not work for its intended purpose.
FAQs
Q: Which is more expensive, printed wax paper or plain wax paper?
A: The only additional cost comes at the print step,digital if the first order is small, flexographic when the volume is sufficient to justify the plate. There’s no difference in pricing for the paper itself.
Q: Will the color of my exact brand be the same on wax paper?
A: But closer than on kraft stock, as the light base of wax paper does not alter the ink tone, and test with a proof (not a screen preview).
Conclusion
Get a no-cost quote on printed paper to fit your bakery, cafe or restaurant order. Prior to approving a full run, request a physical colour proof to your actual PMS reference by calling 832-900-9245 or sending an email to sales@thedelipaper.com.
