TL;DR: Custom deli paper is a food safe wrap made in 30 to 45 GSM, treated to resist grease and moisture during short food contact. Delis, sub shops, and sandwich bars use it for sandwiches, cold cuts, and cheese. It follows FDA rule 21 CFR 176.170 and comes PFAS free.
This guide from Print On Papers covers what the paper actually does, not just what it is called.
Deli paper wraps food that gets handled often and eaten soon after. A counter worker folds it around a sandwich or a slice of cheese, then hands it straight to the customer. It keeps grease off hands and counters, and it carries a logo through the transaction.
You will see it most at deli counters, sub shops, and sandwich bars, where speed matters and the wrap is the last thing a customer touches before eating.
No, and mixing them up is where most soaking problems start. Deli paper carries a lighter wax or PE coating for short contact with cold or lightly warm food. Greaseproof paper has a denser cellulose structure that blocks oil without a wax layer, and it holds up to about 200°F.
| Deli Paper | Greaseproof Paper | |
| GSM | 30 to 45 | 35 to 40 |
| Best for | Sandwiches, cold cuts, cheese | Fried or heavily sauced food |
| Heat tolerance | Light to moderate | Up to 200°F |
Cold or mild builds call for deli paper. Anything fried or dripping needs greaseproof paper instead.
For most restaurants, 30 to 45 GSM works. Lighter sheets near 30 GSM fold easily for quick counter service. Heavier sheets closer to 45 GSM hold up for subs with more filling or a longer hold before pickup.
This is where the common soaking complaint shows up. If your paper soaks through before the sandwich reaches the customer, the GSM or coating is likely mismatched to the food. A wetter build often needs a heavier custom deli paper or a jump to custom heat seal paper, built for a tighter seal. For bag lining, custom kraft paper pairs well with the wrap.
Yes. The paper must meet FDA rule 21 C.F.R. 176.170, covering what can safely touch food in paper form. Read the full regulation on Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute.
PFAS free means no per or polyfluoroalkyl substances, the forever chemicals now restricted in food packaging. Steptoe LLP reports eleven states, including California, New York, Washington, and Minnesota, had adopted PFAS restrictions, with more added since. This is compliance, not marketing.
Here is what to check on any spec sheet before you order.
| Specification | Standard Range |
| Paper weight (GSM) | 30 to 45 GSM |
| Coating type | Wax or PE, PFAS free |
| Food contact standard | FDA 21 C.F.R. 176.170 |
| Base paper | White or kraft |
| Printing method | CMYK or Pantone matched |
| Minimum order | 500 sheets |
| Common sheet sizes | 10×10 in to 15×15 in |
| Production time | 7 to 10 working days |
GSM and coating matter most. GSM decides whether the sheet folds easily or holds a heavier build, and coating decides whether grease actually stops. Get both in writing before you compare quotes.
Deli counters use it for cold cuts and cheese at scale. Sub shops need it to hold shape and grease without tearing mid order. Sandwich bars use lighter sheets for fast turnover.
Butcher counters and bakeries use the same family, though heavier builds move to custom kraft paper. Browse the full lineup on the custom papers page for more formats.
Ordering custom deli paper starts with matching GSM to your menu, then adding your logo for print. Most restaurants order in bulk once they confirm the weight holds up on their actual food, not just on paper.
For the full breakdown on minimums, pricing, and turnaround, read how to order custom deli paper wholesale.
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Custom deli paper does one job well. It wraps food fast, keeps it clean, and puts your name in the customer’s hand. Match the GSM to what you serve, confirm the FDA and PFAS free specs, and choose greaseproof paper when the menu runs hotter or greasier than deli paper can handle.
| Question | Answer |
| What is deli paper used for? | Wrapping sandwiches, cold cuts, and cheese, and lining baskets at delis, sub shops, and sandwich bars. |
| Is deli paper the same as greaseproof paper? | No. Deli paper suits cold to moderate food. Greaseproof paper is denser and handles hot, oily food. |
| What GSM should deli paper be for restaurants? | Most restaurants use 30 to 45 GSM, with heavier sheets for wetter or longer hold orders. |
| Is custom deli paper PFAS free? | Yes, when sourced correctly, and it should also meet FDA rule 21 CFR 176.170. |
| Why does my deli paper soak through? | The GSM or coating usually does not match the food’s grease level. A heavier sheet or greaseproof paper fixes it. |
Print On Papers is a custom printed paper and wrapping paper company serving restaurants, bakeries, delis, food trucks, butchers, florists, apparel brands and food brands across the US and worldwide. We deliver food-safe, eco-friendly, fully branded custom paper, from your first 500 sheets to your next 500,000