They Look the Same — But They're Not
Walk into any commercial kitchen supply store and you'll find greaseproof paper and baking paper sitting side by side, often at similar price points, in nearly identical rolls. Plenty of hospitality operators use them interchangeably. That's a mistake — and depending on the application, it can mean soggy burger wrappers, ruined baked goods, or wasted money on the wrong product.
The difference comes down to how each paper is manufactured and what it's actually designed to resist. Understanding that distinction is straightforward once you know what to look for, and it can genuinely change how efficiently your kitchen or service line runs.
What Is Greaseproof Paper?
Greaseproof paper is made by mechanically beating wood pulp fibres during the papermaking process. This extra processing densifies the sheet, closing the pores and reducing the space through which oil and grease can migrate. The result is a paper that resists grease penetration — but has no special heat tolerance.
Critically, greaseproof paper contains no silicone or other non-stick coating. It's a purely mechanical product, which matters a great deal for businesses focused on food safety and eco-friendly packaging. Most greaseproof papers are compostable and recyclable (with food contamination caveats), making them a natural fit for operations already using compostable wraps & films across their packaging lineup.
In food service, greaseproof paper is the workhorse for wrapping and lining. Think burger wrappers, fish and chip paper, deli wrap, sandwich liners, and basket liners at cafes and quick-service restaurants. It keeps greasy foods from soaking through packaging or trays, and it presents well — especially in kraft or white formats that give wrapped food a clean, professional look.
Standard food service greaseproof paper typically comes in pre-cut sheets (common sizes include 200 x 330 mm and 310 x 400 mm) or rolls, with carton quantities often ranging from 400 to 1,000 sheets depending on the size. GSM (grams per square metre) generally sits between 28 gsm and 40 gsm for food service applications — lighter sheets for wrapping, heavier for lining.
What Is Baking Paper?
Baking paper — also called parchment paper — goes a step further. It starts with a similar base paper but is coated with a thin layer of silicone on one or both sides. That silicone coating is what gives baking paper its defining characteristic: it's non-stick and heat-resistant, typically rated to temperatures between 220°C and 260°C depending on the product.
Because of the silicone coating, baking paper can be placed directly in a hot oven without scorching, and food releases from it cleanly without any greasing required. That's its primary purpose — it was engineered for the oven, not the service line.
In a commercial bakery or kitchen, baking paper earns its keep lining trays for cookies, pastries, bread rolls, and roasted proteins. It can often be reused multiple times per session (unlike greaseproof paper), which offsets its higher unit cost in bake-heavy operations. However, the silicone coating complicates its end-of-life story significantly — most baking paper is neither compostable nor recyclable, which is worth factoring in if your business has sustainability commitments.
Head-to-Head: Key Differences for Food Service Operators
Here's how the two products compare across the criteria that actually matter when you're ordering in bulk for a commercial operation:
- Grease resistance: Both resist grease effectively in normal food service temperatures. Greaseproof paper handles oily foods well at ambient and warm temperatures. Baking paper does the same, plus more.
- Heat tolerance: This is the defining split. Greaseproof paper is not oven-safe — it will scorch or char at high temperatures and should never be used in a commercial oven. Baking paper is purpose-built for oven use up to around 220–260°C.
- Non-stick properties: Baking paper's silicone coating makes it genuinely non-stick. Greaseproof paper resists grease absorption but food can still adhere to it under heat — important to understand if you're using it near cooking surfaces.
- Compostability: Most greaseproof papers without any coating are compostable and home compostable certified. Baking paper with silicone coating is generally not compostable or recyclable. If sustainability compliance matters to your operation — increasingly important under Australia's evolving packaging regulations — this distinction has real weight.
- Cost: Greaseproof paper is typically the more affordable option per sheet. Baking paper costs more upfront but can be reused several times per tray session, which can equalise the cost-per-use for high-volume baking operations.
- Presentation: Greaseproof paper is the clear winner for front-of-house presentation — wrapping burgers, lining baskets, presenting pastries in paper bags. It's the material customers see and handle. Baking paper stays in the kitchen.
Which One Does Your Operation Actually Need?
The honest answer for most food service businesses is: both, but for very different jobs.
If you're running a café, burger joint, fish and chip shop, deli counter, or any fast casual operation, greaseproof paper is likely the higher-volume product. You'll use it every service to wrap, line, and present food. Ordering it in bulk — typically 500 sheets per carton or more — keeps your unit cost low and your kitchen stocked. Look for food-grade certified product (in Australia, look for compliance with the Australian Food Standard AS 4736 or equivalent food-contact safety standards) and, if eco credentials matter to your brand, confirm the paper carries a compostability certification such as AS 4736-2006 or the European EN 13432 standard, both of which are recognised in the Australian market.
If you're a commercial bakery, patisserie, or kitchen that runs heavy oven production, baking paper is non-negotiable for tray lining. In that context, buying quality silicone-coated parchment in bulk rolls (typical commercial rolls are 50 m to 100 m) makes sense — and reusing sheets for multiple bakes within a session reduces per-unit cost considerably.
Some operations — particularly café-bakery hybrids — genuinely need both on hand. The key is not substituting one for the other in roles they weren't designed for. Using greaseproof paper in a 220°C oven is a fire and food safety risk. Using baking paper to wrap a takeaway burger is wasteful and unnecessary, and adds a non-compostable material to your packaging stream without any benefit.
It's also worth pairing the right wrap with the right container. If you're already using compostable containers and bags across your service line, choosing uncoated greaseproof paper keeps your entire packaging system consistent — making composting and disposal straightforward for both your kitchen staff and your customers.
A Note on Australian Packaging Regulations
Australia's packaging landscape has changed materially in the past two years. New South Wales introduced Phase 2 of its single-use plastics ban in November 2023, banning a range of single-use plastic products and placing pressure on foodservice operators to audit their entire packaging footprint — not just containers and cutlery, but wraps, films, and liners too.
While greaseproof and baking paper aren't directly implicated in plastic bans, they are part of the broader conversation around sustainable food service packaging. Businesses that have already transitioned to compostable containers, bags, and cutlery are increasingly looking at their wrap and liner choices through the same lens. Uncoated greaseproof paper fits neatly into that framework. Silicone-coated baking paper does not — it's a legacy material that works brilliantly in the oven but sits awkwardly in a zero-waste or compostable packaging program.
If your operation is working toward packaging commitments — whether for council compliance, NABERS ratings, or simply because your customers expect it — it's worth reviewing your paper products alongside your containers and single-use items.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use greaseproof paper in the oven?
No — and this is one of the most common kitchen errors. Greaseproof paper has no heat-resistant coating and will scorch or catch fire at oven temperatures. Only use baking paper (silicone-coated parchment) in the oven. Greaseproof paper is designed for food wrapping, lining, and presentation at ambient or warm serving temperatures only.
Is greaseproof paper compostable?
Uncoated greaseproof paper generally is compostable, and many commercial-grade products carry AS 4736-2006 (industrial compostable) or AS 5810-2010 (home compostable) certification. Always check with your specific supplier for certification details. Baking paper with a silicone coating is typically not compostable or recyclable due to that coating.
What's the difference between white and brown greaseproof paper?
The difference is primarily aesthetic and relates to the bleaching process. White greaseproof paper has been bleached for a cleaner look — common for sandwich wraps and deli applications where presentation matters. Brown or natural kraft-finish greaseproof paper is unbleached, which appeals to brands leaning into a natural, artisan aesthetic. Performance-wise, both resist grease effectively; the choice usually comes down to brand presentation.
How much greaseproof paper should I order for a busy café?
This depends on your menu and covers, but a café doing 100–200 covers per day and using greaseproof paper for wrapping and lining would typically go through 200–500 sheets daily. That means a carton of 500 sheets could last anywhere from one to three days of service. Most wholesale suppliers offer carton quantities that make weekly or fortnightly ordering practical — buying in bulk significantly reduces your per-sheet cost and avoids the operational headache of running out mid-service.
ZenPacks supplies food-grade greaseproof paper and a full range of compostable wraps and liners to cafes, restaurants, and food businesses across Australia. With competitive wholesale pricing and fast delivery from Sydney, it's straightforward to keep your kitchen stocked without overpaying. Browse our compostable wraps & films range or get in touch with the team at zenpacks.com.au to discuss volume pricing for your operation.
