Custom Printed Fish and Chip Paper for Wrapping and Lining

What is fish and chip paper today?

For many years chip shops wrapped portions in old newspaper. That stopped long ago, and the look now lives on as a printed design on clean paper.

Modern chip shop wrap is greaseproof or kraft, printed on one side only. It might show your shop name, a fish drawing or a full newsprint-style pattern.

The sheet does the same job as before. It keeps the food together, soaks up nothing it should not and gives the customer something to hold.

Paper also makes eating outdoors easier. It folds back to make a plate and folds closed again for the walk home.

Greaseproof or kraft: which paper?

Greaseproof paper is the inner layer. It stops fryer oil passing through to hands, bags and tables, and it suits direct contact with the fish.

Kraft paper is stronger and brown, but it is not greaseproof on its own. It works as an outer wrap over a greaseproof sheet, or with a grease-resistant coating on request.

Our greaseproof paper and coated board explainer goes into the differences in more detail.

Where do chip shops use printed paper?

One printed sheet design can cover all of these if the size is chosen with care. Many shops order two sizes, one for wrapping and one for lining.

• Wrapping a fish supper as an open or closed parcel
• Lining fish and chip boxes so the fish sits on paper
• Dressing wire or plastic baskets for eat-in tables
• Covering serving trays and plates in a café
• Folding into a cone for a scoop of chips on the seafront

How big should fish and chip paper be?

For wrapping, the sheet must fold over the food on all sides with some overlap. Around 500 x 400 mm suits a regular fish supper.

For lining a box, the sheet should be a little larger than the box base, so the edges rise up the walls. Measure the base and add about 50 mm each way.

Basket liners are often square so they sit at an angle with the corners hanging over. Send us your basket or box size and we will suggest a sheet to match.

Cones for chips use a smaller square, rolled into shape around the hand. A 250 mm sheet is a common starting point.

Can the paper look like old newspaper?

Yes, and it is the most asked-for style. We print a newsprint-style layout with headlines, columns and pictures, all made up for packaging.

You can add your own shop name as the masthead, or slip in your menu and opening times as stories. It turns the paper into something people read while they eat.

Prefer something simpler? A repeating pattern of fish, your logo or a one-colour border works just as well. Our designers lay it out free and send a proof.

Does printed paper help a chip shop get noticed?

It does more than most people expect. A fish supper is often eaten outdoors, on a harbour wall or a park bench. The paper is on show the whole time.

People also photograph their fish and chips. A branded sheet with your shop name puts that name in the picture without you asking for it.

Seasonal designs are an easy extra. A summer seaside print or a Halloween version for October gives regulars something new to notice.

Keep the shop name large and repeated. However the sheet is folded, at least one copy of it should face outwards.

How does printing on greaseproof paper work?

The print goes on one side of the sheet. Most shops print the outer face so the design shows when the parcel is wrapped.

One colour print in black or navy gives a crisp newsprint look and keeps costs down. Two colour and full colour CMYK are available for logos with several shades.

Fine print can soften slightly on thin paper. Keep small text to a sensible size, and the proof will show how it reads at full scale.

How do you wrap fish and chips in paper?

A parcel wrapped seam down stays shut in a carrier bag without tape. Customers eating straight away usually prefer the open wrap.

1. Lay a sheet printed side down on the counter, with a greaseproof sheet on top if using two layers.
2. Put the chips in the centre and lay the fish on top.
3. Fold the near edge over the food, then fold in both sides.
4. Roll the parcel away from you to close it, seam underneath.
5. For an open wrap, fold the top back to show the fish.

Common mistakes with chip shop paper

Using kraft alone for hot fish is the most frequent error. Oil soaks through and marks hands and car seats.

Ordering sheets too small to wrap a large fish is the second. The ends of the parcel will not close and chips spill.

Some shops print fine text across the whole sheet and lose it in the folds. Keep the key message where it shows on a wrapped parcel.

Paper inside a box or paper on its own?

Plenty of chip shops now do both. The fish and chips sit on a printed sheet inside a vented box, and the paper adds the traditional touch.

Paper on its own is quicker and lighter, and many regulars still prefer it. Boxes travel better in delivery bags and keep the fish in one piece.

Serve both ways? A sheet that fits the box base and also wraps a small portion saves stocking two designs. To see the whole fish and chip packaging range, start from the range page.

How do you order printed chip paper?

Tell us your sheet sizes, paper type and print, plus any artwork you have. Printed sheets are from £0.25 per unit. The figure for your order is set out on a written quote.

You get a free proof of the full sheet. Printing the stacks then takes 4 to 6 business days. The sheets come flat-packed with free tracked UK delivery, 2 to 3 business days door to counter.

Email info@thefoodpackaging.co.uk or message on WhatsApp to start. Quantities are quoted per order, and misprinted or damaged sheets reported with photos inside 10 days are reprinted or refunded.