Wrapping Tutorials
How to Wrap a Rose Bouquet in Kraft Paper
Kraft paper is the cheapest way to make a bouquet look expensive. It reads as natural, it suits every flower colour, and it costs less per sheet than any coated paper. It also has one flaw nobody mentions: uncoated kraft is not waterproof, so a rose bouquet wrapped in kraft alone will go limp before the customer gets home.
This guide covers the fix, the folding order that keeps kraft looking crisp instead of crumpled, and how to handle this paper differently from coated papers — because kraft shows every crease permanently, so you get one chance per fold.
What you’ll end up with
A bouquet where:
- the paper stays crisp rather than going soft where it touches the stems
- the top edge is a clean folded line, not a curling cut edge
- no stem or bare binding point is visible from the front
- the ribbon matches the paper finish (matte with matte)
- you can lift it by the stems and the shape holds
Before you start
- Strip the leaves from the lower two thirds of every stem.
- Cut the ends at an angle, about 45 degrees, roughly 2cm.
- Stand them in clean water for at least two hours.
- Dry the stem ends with a cloth right before wrapping. This matters more with kraft than with any other paper — a wet stem will soften uncoated kraft within minutes.
Tools and materials
| Item | Why it matters | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kraft wrapping paper, 26x50cm | A smaller sheet for a dozen roses | $3.00 |
| Wrapping paper, 44x58cm | The mid size | $3.60 |
| OPP film, 50x50cm | The waterproof liner. This is what makes kraft usable with fresh flowers. | $5.70 per bag of 50 |
| Grosgrain ribbon, 2.5cm | Matches the matte paper finish | |
| Floral tape | Temporary hold so both hands are free to tie |
The 8 steps
Step 1 – Prepare the roses
Strip the lower leaves, cut at an angle, dry the ends. See prep above. This is the most important step with kraft.
Step 2 – Add a waterproof liner
Place a sheet of OPP film or cellophane behind the kraft. This single step solves the only real weakness of kraft paper. The film is invisible from the outside and the kraft stays crisp.
Step 3 – Fold the top edge down
Fold the top edge over by 4-5cm so the cut edge is hidden. A folded edge holds a straight line; a cut edge curls as it dries.
Step 4 – Get your grip right
Hold the roses in your non-dominant hand, web of your thumb at the binding point. Your dominant hand stays free for the whole wrap.
Step 5 – Place the roses diagonally
Lay the roses diagonally across the sheet, flower heads about 15cm from the top edge.
Step 6 – Roll and overlap by 10cm
Bring the left edge over the stems, then the right, overlapping by about 10cm so there is no gap at the front.
Step 7 – Gather and pinch
Pinch the paper where the stems meet the flower heads. Tight at the stems, loose at the blooms.
Step 8 – Secure with a natural-fibre ribbon, and trim
Tie a 2.5cm grosgrain ribbon in a double knot. Trim the kraft so it ends about one third of the way down the stems.
Kraft versus coated paper
| Kraft (uncoated) | Korean matte (coated) | |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof | No — needs a liner | Yes |
| Holds a fold | Folds but creases visibly | Holds a crisp fan fold |
| Look | Natural, rustic, sustainable | Smooth, modern, premium |
| Cost per sheet | Usually lower | Higher |
| Best for | Eco-positioned shops, dried flowers, market stalls | Retail bouquets, gift work, photography |
Most successful shops keep both and choose by season and by customer. Kraft for the rustic and eco-minded buyers; coated matte for gift bouquets and anything being photographed.
The five kraft mistakes
- No liner. The paper goes soft and the wrap collapses. This is the number one reason kraft bouquets look bad.
- Folding the same crease twice. Kraft shows every crease permanently. Decide where the fold goes, then commit.
- Gathering with your fingertips. Fingerprint creases do not come out of kraft. Gather with the flat of your hand.
- Cutting the paper too long. Kraft that hangs past halfway down the stems looks like wrapping paper, not floral work.
- Satin ribbon on kraft. The contrast in finish looks wrong. Use grosgrain, paper string or a natural-fibre ribbon.
How to practise
- Test the liner. Wrap one bouquet with a liner and one without. Leave both for an hour — you will see exactly why the liner is non-negotiable.
- Practise the single fold. Kraft punishes re-folding. Get used to committing to one fold line.
- Photograph in daylight. Kraft shows creases under bright light that you will not see indoors.
Buying kraft paper wholesale
Kraft is one of the highest-volume items in a flower shop, which makes it the best candidate for bulk buying. MOQ is typically 10 bags (10-20 sheets per bag). Volume tiers apply automatically — the price you see updates as you change quantity, so you can see the break point before ordering.
Two things worth checking before a large order:
- GSM — below 60 GSM kraft is too thin to hold shape; 80-100 GSM is the working range for bouquets.
- Colour of the pulp — recycled kraft varies noticeably between batches, and a mixed-batch order will show.
Want your shop name printed on the kraft? The minimum is 500 pieces with a 10-15 working-day production lead time — see the wholesale page.
Frequently asked questions
Does kraft paper work for fresh flowers?
Yes, with a waterproof liner. Uncoated kraft absorbs water and goes soft within minutes if it touches wet stems.
What size kraft paper for a rose bouquet?
50x70cm for 20-25 stems; 35x50cm for a dozen; 70x100cm for event work.
Is kraft cheaper than Korean matte paper?
Usually per sheet, yes. But you need a liner with kraft, so compare the combined cost.
How do I stop kraft creasing badly?
Fold once only, and gather with the flat of your hand rather than your fingers.
Can I use kraft for delivery?
Yes with a liner, a water tube and a sleeve.
Satin or grosgrain on kraft?
Grosgrain — matte with matte.
Why does my kraft go soft?
Wet stems, or no liner.
What GSM kraft should I buy?
80-100 GSM for bouquets.
Next step
If you want the smoother, higher-end finish, read our Korean matte paper guide. If you are wrapping for delivery, the bouquet bag guide covers the outer protection layer.
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