Materials, quality and use
Know your materials.
Six materials, each chosen for one job. Here is what each one is, what it is good for, how to use it and what to keep in mind.
At a glance
Which material for which job.
| Material | See-through | Grease | Moisture | Write or stamp | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glassine | Translucent | Resists light grease | Low | Fine marker | Cookies, favours, keepsakes |
| Grease-resistant paper | No | Resists grease | Low | Sticker or label | Pastries, sandwiches, baked treats |
| Vellum | Frosted | No | Low | Prints well | Invitations, place cards |
| Wax paper | Slightly | Some | Light barrier | Sticker or label | Treats, snacks |
| Kraft paper | No | No | Low | Stamps and writes well | Gifts, favours, small goods |
| Clear film | Clear | Yes | Light barrier | Sticker or label | Cookies, cake pops, cards, prints |
Material 01
Glassine
A dense, smooth paper, calendered until it turns translucent. You can see the shape and colour of what is inside.
| Good for | Cookies and small treats, favours, cards, photos, seeds and keepsakes. |
| Qualities | Translucent, smooth, resists light grease. |
| How to use | Fold the top twice, or close with a sticker, washi tape or twine. Write on it with a fine marker. |
| Keep in mind | Not waterproof: keep away from liquids and very moist foods. |
Material 02
Grease-resistant paper
Paper treated to resist grease, so butter and oil from baked goods do not soak straight through. Ours comes in a repeating palette of colours.
| Good for | Cookies, pastries, doughnuts, sandwiches and other baked treats. |
| Qualities | Resists grease, opaque colours, light and flexible. |
| How to use | Fold the opening over once or twice; add a sticker or twine for gifts. Choose a size with about 1 cm to spare on each side. |
| Keep in mind | Resists grease, not water: do not use for liquids. Not for ovens or microwaves. |
Material 03
Vellum
A frosted, fine translucent paper with a soft, even surface that takes print well.
| Good for | Invitations, place cards, wedding and party favours, inserts. |
| Qualities | Frosted translucency, smooth for printing, soft colours. |
| How to use | Insert the card, fold the flap and seal with a sticker or wax seal. |
| Keep in mind | Paper only: keep dry and flat. |
Material 04
Wax paper
Paper with a light wax coating that gives a soft sheen and a light barrier to moisture.
| Good for | Baked treats, snacks and sandwiches. |
| Qualities | Light moisture barrier, soft sheen, flexible. |
| How to use | Fold the top over and secure with a sticker or twine. |
| Keep in mind | Not for ovens or microwaves; keep away from heat so the wax does not soften. |
Material 05
Kraft paper
A strong paper made with long fibres. Natural brown, white or coloured, with a matte surface.
| Good for | Treats, favours, small goods, stamped or labelled gifts. |
| Qualities | Sturdy, matte, easy to stamp, write on and label. |
| How to use | Stamp or label before filling; fold and close with twine or a sticker. |
| Keep in mind | Not grease-resistant: for oily foods, choose grease-resistant paper. |
Material 06
Clear film
Crystal-clear plastic film bags. Self-seal bags have an adhesive strip on the flap; flat and gusset bags come with twist ties.
| Good for | Cookies, cake pops, candy, favours, cards, prints and small goods. |
| Qualities | Clear, light moisture barrier, resealable versions available. |
| How to use | Self-seal: peel the liner, fold, press. Ties: gather the top and twist twice. Gusset bags stand up for taller items. |
| Keep in mind | Keep away from heat and sharp edges. Not for ovens or microwaves. |
Quality
What we check before a product is listed.
Size
Bags are measured flat, width by height, and listed in inches and centimetres.
Count
The number on the pack is the number in the pack.
Colour
Colours are matched to our palette so a bag, a tie and a twine go together.
Description
Each listing names the material and its use, with photos of the product itself.
Using and storing
Small habits that keep bags at their best.
Choose the size
Allow about 1 cm on each side and 2 to 3 cm at the top for folding or sealing. See our standard sizes.
Close it well
Fold, then add a sticker, twine, a twist tie or the self-seal strip. Matching colours make a simple bag look finished.
Store flat and dry
Keep packs flat, in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, so papers stay crisp and colours stay true.
Questions about a material? Ask us.