Comparisons
Kraft paper vs MG paper
Choose MG when the sheet has to carry print. Choose plain kraft when the sheet only has to hold.
01 / Side by side
The two papers, row by row
| Kraft | Brown MG | |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Unglazed, natural on both faces | Machine-glazed one side, matte reverse |
| Printing face | Holds print less well than a glazed face | The glazed face carries clean ink |
| Main job | Strength in handling and transit | Print and presentation over a kraft body |
| Typical uses | Industrial wrap, void fill, bags and sacks | Printed wrap, packing, bags and liners |
| GSM | 60–120 GSM | 40–80 GSM |
| Reel widths | 600–1,800 mm | 500–1,500 mm |
| Roll lengths | 1,000–3,000 m | 1,500–4,000 m |
| Sheet sizes | 700×1,000, 900×1,200 mm | 500×700, 700×1,000 mm |
| MOQ | 1 tonne per GSM/width | 1 tonne per GSM/width |
| Lead time | 3–6 weeks after spec approval | 3–5 weeks after spec approval |
| Food contact | Not for direct contact. Use butter paper or OGR. | Ask us before food use |
Kraft
Wins: Heavier weights, to 120 GSM, for loads and rough handling.
Loses: No glazed face, so print looks rougher.
Brown MG
Wins: A finished face for ink, with kraft behaviour behind, and no laminate.
Loses: Tops out at 80 GSM. For heavy loads, plain kraft goes heavier.
02 / Decide
How to decide
Ask one question. Does the sheet carry print or face the customer? If yes, choose MG. If the sheet only wraps, fills or protects, choose plain kraft.
Weight separates the two as well. MG runs from 40 to 80 GSM. Plain kraft runs from 60 to 120 GSM, so the heaviest jobs belong to kraft.
03 / The glaze
How the glaze changes the sheet
The mill dries MG against a large polished cylinder. The side in contact comes away closed and glossy. The reverse dries open and matte.
For a converter, this gives a finished face for ink over a kraft body, and the body still behaves like kraft when the pack is handled.
04 / Both
Running both on one line
Take a bag maker with two products: printed retail bags and plain heavy-duty bags. Brown MG suits the printed bags. Plain kraft suits the heavy-duty bags, up to 120 GSM.
Both start at 1 tonne per GSM and width. MG ships 3 to 5 weeks after spec approval, kraft 3 to 6 weeks.
Questions
Before you specify
Is MG paper kraft paper?
Brown MG is machine-glazed kraft: a kraft base glazed on one side. White MG has the same construction on a white base.
Which prints better, MG or kraft?
MG. The glazed face carries cleaner ink than plain kraft.
Which goes heavier?
Plain kraft, up to 120 GSM. MG tops out at 80 GSM.
Do kraft and MG go against food?
Plain kraft is not for direct food contact. For MG, ask us before food use. For direct food contact, use butter paper or OGR.