Custom Hot Paper
Paper behaves differently once heat and steam are involved. A sheet that works around a cold sandwich goes limp under something straight off a grill. Hot paper is specified for that condition rather than for room temperature. We supply a lot of hot paper at ZEE Packaging and heat tolerance is the whole brief.
Heat Changes Everything
Hot paper has to hold up where ordinary stock fails.
- Steam softens untreated hot paper within a minute
- Fat renders freely at temperature and soaks through
- Ink lifts on stock not specified for heat
- Wet strength matters far more than when cold
- Hot paper keeps its structure while food sits on it
- Condensation forms underneath if nothing can breathe
Most operators move to hot paper after a wrap fell apart on a delivery run.
Wrapping Or Lining
The two jobs need different things.
- Wrapping needs wet strength and a greaseproof surface
- Lining needs absorbency to pull oil away
- A wrap sheet must hold together when damp
- Sheets under fried food want to soak rather than repel
- Steam has to escape somewhere or the food softens
- Tell us the application and we specify accordingly
- Pre cut sheets the standard hot paper we supply
- Wrap sheets for burgers, wraps and handhelds
- Basket and tray liners cut to your equipment
- Printed hot paper a logo repeat across the sheet
- Roll format for sites cutting their own lengths
- Bag liners hot paper lining a takeaway bag
Sizes We Run Regular
Every sheet of hot paper is cut to your use, though these run often:
- 12" x 12" for burgers and general wrapping
- 15" x 15" for large builds and sharing portions
- 10" x 10" for sides and smaller items
- 12" x 16" for basket and tray lining
- 14" x 14" for counter service
- Custom sizes cut to your equipment
Paper And Treatment
- Food grade certified stock, without exception
- Greaseproof treatment rather than a wax coating
- 35gsm to 50gsm, since hot paper carries more stress
- Wet strength grades for anything saucy or steaming
- Unbleached natural brown for a street food look
- Food safe ink, since hot paper contacts product directly
Wax is the thing to avoid here. A waxed sheet softens and can transfer onto food at temperature, whereas greaseproof hot paper holds up properly.
Where It Ends Up
- No plastic or wax layer on any grade we run
- Recycled and unbleached stock widely available
- FSC certified paper, certificate on request
- Soy based ink through the whole run
- Compostable, even once oil has soaked in
- Right sized sheets so less is wasted per order
How An Order Runs With Us
- 100 unit minimum, so a single site can order properly
- Free proof before any printed hot paper runs
- Free artwork setup by our designer
- Physical sample on request, tested straight off a grill
- Urgent turnaround at 5 to 8 business days
- Free worldwide shipping, nothing hidden
Frequently Asked Questions
Will hot paper hold together when damp?
On a wet strength grade, yes. Standard stock tears once steam has worked on it.
Can hot paper go in an oven?
No. It handles hot food but it is not heat rated, so use parchment for anything baking.
How much does hot paper cost?
Rough estimate is $0.01 to $0.05 per sheet plain, $0.03 to $0.08 one color and $0.05 to $0.14 full color at moderate quantity. Shipping is included. This is estimate only, so ask us for a exact quote.
Is waxed stock safe at temperature?
We would avoid it. Wax softens and can transfer onto food, which greaseproof hot paper never does.
Which weight should we order?
35gsm for light wrapping. 45gsm or above where sheets carry real weight.
Will the ink hold up on hot paper?
Yes, on food safe inks specified for heat. Cheaper inks lift once steam gets behind them.
Does hot paper keep food crisp?
Only partly. It stops oil pooling, though steam still needs somewhere to go in the packaging around it.
