1 / 4Custom Butcher Paper (Printed Butcher Paper Rolls)
PFAS free butcher paper printed with your logo in food-safe inks. Pink, white or brown kraft rolls and sheets for BBQ smoking, meat counters, trays and takeout.
- Digital proof before production
- Free design support
- CMYK or Pantone colors
- Ships to all 50 states
A brisket wrapped in branded paper tells the customer where it came from before the first slice. A cut of steak handed over the counter in printed paper does the same. Butcher paper is one of the few wraps that goes from the smoker or the meat case straight into the customer’s hands.
Custom butcher paper is strong, food-grade kraft paper printed with your logo in food-safe inks. It wraps raw meat at the counter, wraps brisket and ribs in the smoker, and lines trays at BBQ restaurants. It comes in pink (peach), white and brown kraft, unwaxed or waxed on one side.
We print custom butcher paper from 30 lb to 60 lb basis weight, as rolls 18, 24, 30 or 36 in wide or as precut sheets. All of it is PFAS free, with a 50-unit minimum and a 6 to 8 day turnaround.
What Is Custom Butcher Paper?
Custom butcher paper is heavy kraft paper made for meat, printed with a brand’s logo or pattern. It has high wet strength, so it stays intact when meat juices hit it, and it is sized during papermaking so it resists soaking through. Butcher shops, BBQ restaurants, smokehouses, meal kit brands and caterers use it to wrap, cook, serve and display meat.
What Makes Butcher Paper Different From Regular Kraft Paper
- Food-grade fiber: made for direct contact with raw and cooked meat.
- Wet strength: the sheet holds together when wet with meat juice or fat.
- Sizing: a treatment in the paper that slows moisture from soaking through.
- Breathability: unwaxed butcher paper lets steam escape, which matters in the smoker.
Pink vs White vs Brown Butcher Paper
Pink (peach) butcher paper is unbleached and unwaxed, and it is the BBQ standard for wrapping brisket and ribs in the smoker. White butcher paper is bleached and gives the cleanest look for the meat counter and for printing. Brown kraft butcher paper is unbleached and natural, and it suits rustic brands, serving trays and general meat wrapping.
| Color | Paper | Print result | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pink (peach) | Unbleached, unwaxed, breathable | Navy, black and deep reds read best | Smoking brisket and ribs, BBQ trays, Texas-style service |
| White | Bleached; unwaxed or waxed one side | Brightest, truest colors | Meat counters, display cases, premium retail wrap |
| Brown kraft | Unbleached natural kraft | Dark inks read best | Rustic and eco brands, tray liners, general wrapping |
Unwaxed vs Waxed Butcher Paper
Unwaxed butcher paper breathes and is the only type to use in a smoker or oven. Butcher paper waxed on one side adds a moisture barrier for wrapping raw meat for the fridge, with the waxed side facing the meat. Wax melts under heat, so waxed butcher paper never goes in the smoker. For heavy wax coatings, see custom wax paper.
Is Pink Butcher Paper Good for Smoking Brisket?
Yes. Unwaxed pink butcher paper is the most common wrap for smoking brisket. Wrapped partway through the cook, it holds in enough moisture to push the meat through the stall, while letting steam escape so the bark stays firmer than it would in foil.
Paper vs foil
Foil traps all the steam and softens the bark. Butcher paper breathes, so the crust holds while the brisket finishes.
Heat rating
Most pink butcher paper is rated to about 450 F, well above typical smoker temperatures. Always use unwaxed paper in the smoker.
Serving
Slice on the same printed sheet or a fresh one, so the brand is in every photo the customer takes.
Takeout
Wrap whole briskets, ribs and pulled pork for pick-up in branded paper instead of plain foil.
Custom Butcher Paper Specifications
| Colors | Pink (peach), white, brown kraft |
|---|---|
| Finish | Unwaxed, or waxed one side |
| Basis weight | 30, 40, 50 and 60 lb |
| Roll widths | 18, 24, 30 and 36 in; custom widths |
| Roll lengths | Custom lengths to fit your dispenser |
| Sheets | 12 x 12 in, 15 x 15 in, 18 x 24 in, custom |
| Printing | Flexo for longer runs, digital for short runs |
| Colors | Full color CMYK or Pantone spot colors |
| Inks | Food-safe inks |
| PFAS | PFAS free |
| Minimum order | 50 units |
| Turnaround | 6 to 8 days |
Butcher Paper Weights
| Basis weight | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 30 lb | Light, easy to fold | Tray liners, sandwich and taco wraps, serving sheets |
| 40 lb | Standard | Counter meat wrapping, ribs, everyday BBQ |
| 50 lb | Heavy | Whole briskets, large cuts, bone-in meat |
| 60 lb | Heaviest | Long smokes, heavy roasts, bulk meat orders |
Roll Widths and Sheet Sizes
Is Custom Butcher Paper Food Safe and PFAS Free?
Yes. Our custom butcher paper is PFAS free, made from food-grade kraft and printed with food-safe inks for direct contact with raw and cooked meat.
The 2024 FDA PFAS Phase-Out
On February 28, 2024, the FDA announced that PFAS grease-proofing substances are no longer sold for food contact use in the US. Butcher paper gets its strength from fiber and sizing, not PFAS.
State PFAS Laws
California, New York, Washington, Minnesota and other states restrict intentionally added PFAS in food packaging. One PFAS free wrap covers every location.
Raw Meat Handling
For the fridge, wrap tight and use the meat within a few days, since butcher paper is not airtight. For long freezer storage, use a coated freezer paper.
Ink Placement
A repeating pattern with moderate coverage keeps the sheet flexible and leaves plenty of bare paper for breathing in the smoker.
Custom Printing for Butcher Paper
Printed butcher paper carries your logo, a repeating pattern, a pitmaster tagline or a QR code. Full color CMYK reproduces photos and gradients; Pantone spot colors match brand colors exactly.
Flexo printing
Printing plates transfer ink at high speed. Best for long rolls, 1 to 2 brand colors and the lowest unit cost at volume.
Digital printing
No plates; prints straight from the file. Best for short runs, first orders, full color and event designs.
Artwork Tips for Butcher Paper
- On pink and kraft paper, use dark inks such as navy, black or deep red.
- Use an all-over repeat so the logo shows wherever the roll is torn.
- Size the repeat so it appears at least twice across the narrowest roll width you order.
- Supply vector artwork (AI, EPS or PDF) and check the digital proof at actual size.
Butcher Paper Uses by Business
BBQ restaurants and smokehouses
Wrap brisket and ribs in the smoker, line trays and serve by the pound on branded paper.
Butcher shops
Wrap steaks, chops and roasts at the counter in printed paper.
Meal kit and meat delivery brands
Wrap portions inside the shipping box so the unboxing shows your brand.
Food trucks
Line baskets and wrap tacos, sandwiches and BBQ plates.
Catering
Cover tables and platters with branded paper for BBQ spreads and boards.
Retail and gifting
Wrap jerky, sausages and charcuterie for gift sets and markets.
Butcher Paper vs Foil, Parchment and Wax Paper
| Wrap | Breathes | Smoker or oven | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butcher paper (unwaxed) | Yes | Yes, to its rated heat (often about 450 F) | Brisket, ribs, meat wrapping, BBQ serving |
| Aluminum foil | No | Yes | Fast cooks where soft bark is fine |
| Parchment paper | Partly | Yes, to the box limit | Baking and roasting |
| Wax paper | No | No; wax melts | Cold wrapping, cheese, deli |
| Deli paper | Varies | No | Counter sheets, sandwich wraps |
Pair Butcher Paper With Your Boxes
Order the paper and the boxes from one supplier so the wrap and the box carry the same branding. See all custom printed papers, including custom greaseproof paper for fried sides and custom kraft paper for tray liners and table covering.
How to Order Custom Butcher Paper
- Choose color and finishPink, white or brown kraft, unwaxed or waxed one side.
- Pick weight and size30 to 60 lb, roll width or sheet size.
- Send artworkUpload your logo or pattern, ideally as a vector file.
- Approve the proofCheck placement, colors and size at 100%.
- Delivery6 to 8 day turnaround from a 50-unit minimum.
Custom Butcher Paper FAQs
What is the difference between pink and white butcher paper?
Pink (peach) butcher paper is unbleached and unwaxed, and it is the standard for smoking brisket. White butcher paper is bleached, looks cleanest at the meat counter and prints the brightest colors.
Can butcher paper go in the smoker or oven?
Unwaxed butcher paper can, up to its rated heat, which is often about 450 F for pink butcher paper. Waxed butcher paper cannot, because the wax melts.
Why wrap brisket in butcher paper instead of foil?
Butcher paper lets steam escape, so the bark stays firmer, while still holding in enough moisture to carry the brisket through the stall. Foil traps all the steam and softens the bark.
Is custom printed butcher paper food safe?
Yes. It is made from food-grade kraft, printed with food-safe inks and made for direct contact with meat. It is also PFAS free.
What weight butcher paper should I order?
40 lb is the standard for counter wrapping and ribs. 50 lb suits whole briskets and large cuts. 30 lb works for tray liners and serving sheets, and 60 lb for long smokes and heavy roasts.
What roll widths are available?
18, 24, 30 and 36 in rolls, plus custom widths. The 24 in roll is the most common for wrapping whole briskets.
Can butcher paper be used in the freezer?
For short storage, yes. For long freezer storage, a coated freezer paper protects better, because plain butcher paper is not airtight.
What is the minimum order for custom butcher paper?
The minimum order is 50 units, and the turnaround is 6 to 8 days.
Get Your Custom Butcher Paper Quoted
Send your size, quantity and logo. Our design team returns a digital proof before production.