How Butcher Paper Is Different From Parchment Paper

Food wraps are vital to protect the food, present it professionally, and keep the contaminants at bay. resent ready-to-eat items. With the availability of diverse cuisines all around the globe, the need for diverse paper wraps is also essential. Among all the food wraps, custom parchment and butcher paper are some of the most common options. These two can be used interchangeably but their physical properties vary significantly from each other. From the type of coating to the ability to tolerate temperature, both of the custom food papers are significantly different from each other.

In this blog we will discuss is parchment paper the same as butcher paper or not by comparing the characteristics of both. 

What Is Butcher Paper?

Custom butcher paper is used to wrap raw meat so that the natural color of the meat remains intact and the external skin does not dry. This paper has a unique ability to absorb fluids oozing out of tissues and prevent the creation of a mess. The best thing about this is that it is not limited to being used at the butcher shops. You can use them in your deli store, vegetable market, flower shop, etc. 

What Is Parchment Paper?

Custom printed parchment paper is also a food-wrapping sheet extensively used in cooking. This paper’s unique quality is that it is nonstick, which means that it does not allow food to stick to it or the surface of the pans. Not only this, parchment sheets can be used in high temperatures without the fear of burns. Like butcher sheets, they can also be used for various other reasons such as tracing, arts and crafts, keeping surfaces tidy, and decoration purposes. 

Difference Between Parchment And Butcher Paper 

The base raw material of both papers is the same, the chemical treatment and the pulping process are different, which gives them slightly different properties. So the simple answer to the question: Is butcher paper and parchment paper the same or not? is that both are significantly different. 

Parchment paper has a nonstick surface due to the application of silicon coating. On the other hand, butcher paper does not stick but as it is treated with a sizing agent that is why they have a significant amount of resistance to moisture. Apart from this, both papers have variable types such as: 

• Bleached vs. Unbleached
• Silicone Coated vs. Quilon Coated
• Pre-cut Sheets and rolls
• Heat Resistant
• Non-Stick Properties
• Variable based on Size and Thickness

Butcher paper also has different types that mainly differ from each other due to their color and their breathability. Some of the common types of butcher sheets are: 

• Brown butcher roll 
• White butcher roll
• Pink/ peach butcher roll
• Gardenia butcher roll

Material Used For Butcher Paper

Butcher paper vs parchment paper: The main difference is that custom parchment and butcher paper are made from softwood trees like pine, spruce, and fir and are usually not bleached while parchment is bleached. Wood from these plants is preferred due to its high cellulose content which gives durability to butcher sheets. Butcher paper is usually unbleached and has a natural brown color. As this paper is least treated with any chemical, it has a significant durability and tear-resistant ability. 

Material Used For Parchment Paper

Like butcher sheets, parchment paper is also made with softwood fibers but its manufacturing process is different than that of butcher sheets which creates a reasonable distinction between the two. In this paper, the wood pulp is treated with sulfuric acid or zinc chloride which strengthens this paper and imparts non-stick and heat-resistant properties to custom sheets. Apart from this parchment is treated with bleaching to give it a white and clean appearance, but it is also available in unbleached form. 

Butcher Paper Coating

The custom-printed butcher sheets are available in either coated or uncoated form. The coatings that are usually used are wax or PE coatings but these coatings render the paper useless for barbecues and is usually used as custom sandwich wrap paper, nonetheless, it can be used to wrap raw meat. Apart from these two coatings, on butcher sheets a sizing agent is applied that makes the paper moisture-resistant.

Parchment Paper Coating

Custom parchment paper sheets are coated with silicone which gives the paper non-stick properties. As silicon is an inert element it does contaminate the food and can withstand high temperatures up to 450°F (232°C) without breaking down or catching fire. Due to this feature of coating, parchment is used as an excellent option for baking and cooking, because food doesn’t stick to its surface so it does not impart any flavor to the food. 

Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing process of both the custom paper is different. Even the main difference between all the custom food wrapping papers is their manufacturing process and the applied coating. The use of different chemicals and mechanical processing creates differences between both papers. 

Butcher Paper Manufacturing

The first step in the manufacturing of custom-printed butcher sheets is pulping. In it, a mixture of chemicals is added including such as sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfate. The purpose of this mixture is to break down the lignin separating cellulose fibers. After the process of pulping is done, the optional process of bleaching is performed. The manufacturer dries the paper and coats it with the selected coatings to give a smooth moisture and grease-resistant surface.

Parchment Paper Manufacturing

In the manufacturing of custom parchment sheets, the first step is the same as used to manufacture butcher paper sheets. However, the pulping process is slightly different here and is conducted with the help of sulphuric acid or zinc chloride. The acid partly dissolves the surface of the paper which then hardens when dried leading to durable and heat-resistant features of parchment sheets. For a clean and white look, the manufacturer treats the paper with bleaching agents. After bleaching a silicon layer is applied that further enhances the heat-resistant and non-stick features of the paper.  

Chemicals Used in Manufacturing

In the manufacturing of both papers, different chemicals are used. After the manufacturing, the producers wash the sheets so that no chemical residue remains to decrease the quality of the wrapped food. The different chemicals used are: 

Butcher Paper Chemicals

• Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) and Sodium Sulfide (Na₂S)
• Polyethylene (PE)
• Sizing agent 
• Wax coating (optional)

Parchment Paper Chemicals

• Sulfuric Acid (H₂SO₄) or Zinc Chloride (ZnCl₂)
• Silicone

Conclusion 

Custom Parchment and Butcher Paper are significantly different from each other. Although the base material is the same in both of them, the differences in the manufacturing processes, coatings, and chemicals used to manufacture them create significant differences between both of them. So before investing in any of the options understand the purpose for which you need these custom sheets. The customization of paper allows you to promote your brand with a remarkably low budget. 

By contacting Waxpapers you can get the best and the most high-quality custom food paper at the most affordable rates.