Wax Paper vs Greaseproof Paper: What's the Difference?

The Short Answer

Wax paper has a wax coating that makes it grease and moisture resistant. Greaseproof paper achieves its grease resistance through a dense paper structure — no coating required. Both are food-safe, but they suit different applications.

What Is Wax Paper?

Wax paper is a paper product coated on one or both sides with a thin layer of food-grade wax (usually paraffin or soy-based). The coating creates a barrier against grease, moisture, and light liquids.

Advantages of wax paper:

• Stronger moisture and grease resistance
• Suitable for wet or very greasy foods
• Available in a wide range of weights and formats
• Excellent base for full-colour printing

Limitations:

• Not suitable for oven use (wax melts at high temperatures)
• Not recyclable in standard kerbside collections
• Slightly more expensive than uncoated greaseproof

What Is Greaseproof Paper?

Greaseproof paper is made from a densely calendered paper that resists grease through its structure rather than a coating. The fibres are pressed tightly together during manufacture, leaving very little space for grease molecules to pass through.

Advantages of greaseproof paper:

• Oven-safe at moderate temperatures
• Generally recyclable (uncoated versions)
• Slightly more economical
• Widely used in bakeries and fish and chip shops

Limitations:

• Less effective against very wet or greasy foods compared to wax paper
• Less moisture resistance than wax-coated paper

Side-by-Side Comparison

Which Should You Choose?

Choose wax paper if: You are wrapping burgers, sandwiches with wet fillings, deli meats, or any food with significant grease or moisture. Wax paper handles the toughest food service conditions.

Choose greaseproof if: You run a bakery, fish and chip shop, or need paper that can go into moderate oven temperatures. Printed greaseproof paper is the classic choice for these businesses.

For branding: Both print extremely well. The choice comes down to the food you are wrapping, not the printing requirements.

Can You Use Both?

Many food businesses use both — greaseproof for bakery and counter lining, wax paper for burgers and sandwich wrapping. We supply both from the same account, so you can manage your requirements in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is greaseproof paper the same as baking paper?

Often yes. Baking paper is typically greaseproof paper, sometimes with a silicone coating for non-stick properties. The terms are used interchangeably in most UK contexts.

Which paper is better for the environment?

Uncoated greaseproof paper is generally recyclable, giving it an environmental advantage over wax-coated paper. We also offer compostable options in both categories.

Can both types be custom printed?

Yes. Both wax paper and greaseproof paper can be printed with logos and full-colour designs using food-safe inks.

To discuss which paper type is right for your business, contact our team or request a free quote.