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October 27, 2025

Research and analysis on TISSUE PAPER

Custom tissue paper: specs, materials, printing methods, lead times, pricing, and industry trends. Learn how personalized, eco-friendly tissue elevates packaging, protects products, and boosts brand experience.


Tissue paper is a versatile material used for packaging and decoration, customized with size, color, and logos. While a small detail, it is powerful in brand recognition, elevating everything from gift boxes, fashion, shoes, and fresh flowers to e-commerce orders. With its delicate feel and rich colors, it elegantly expresses brand identity, increases anticipation when opening a box, protects the product, and conveys aesthetic value.


1. Industry Trends

The global market for tissue paper is experiencing steady growth. Many reports estimate the global tissue market to have a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 3–7%, depending on the source. Key market drivers include pressures from raw material (pulp prices) and energy costs, as well as sustainability trends favoring the increased use of recycled paper or alternative fibers like bagasse and bamboo.

Some of the major global names in the industry include:

  • Kimberly-Clark
  • Procter & Gamble
  • Georgia-Pacific
  • Essity (SCA)
  • Asia Pulp & Paper (APP)
  • Sofidel
  • Hengan
  • Unicharm
  • Metsä Tissue
  • CMPC

Supply Chain & Inputs: Pulp prices and logistics continue to be significant cost drivers. Major consultant expansions, such as mill expansions and M&A activities, are increasing competition for scale and performance.

The current trend in the custom tissue industry is toward increased personalization with unique designs, a focus on eco-friendliness, and the application of advanced printing techniques to create high-quality products. The high demand for unique packaging, gifts, and decorative products drives the industry, with an emphasis on factors like durability, scratch resistance, and water resistance.

Key Trends

  • Personalization and Unique Designs: Consumers and businesses are seeking tissue products with distinctive designs tailored to their brand or specific use. This includes printing logos, images, patterns, and other personalized details.
  • Eco-Friendliness: There is a growing demand for sustainable, recyclable, or biodegradable products. Brands and retailers are seeking models made from recycled or sustainably sourced materials, with FSC/PEFC certification becoming increasingly important. Manufacturers are gradually moving towards using recycled materials or more environmentally friendly production methods.

2. Product Specifications and Characteristics

Custom tissue paper has specific characteristics and specifications:

  • Surface: The paper has a smooth, glossy surface with almost no grain. This allows ink to adhere evenly, ensuring sharp prints with bright and realistic colors.
  • Gross Weight (GSM): Paper is usually very light, commonly ranging from 17–30 GSM for wrapping paper and 10–25 GSM for peak tissue. Applications requiring more durability use 25–30 GSM (Grams per Square Meter). Lighter weights are softer and suitable for delicate gift wrapping, while thicker weights are sturdier, creating a more solid feel.
  • Ink Adhesion: Good ink adhesion prevents ink from spreading or smudging, maintaining high image quality.
  • Color: Options include white, soft pastel colors, or other custom colors according to the design requirements.
  • Size and Shape: Can be produced in specific sizes and shapes depending on customer requirements.
  • Durability and Special Features: Depending on requirements, the paper can be supplemented with special coatings to increase durability, water resistance, or other features.
  • Applications: Ideal for gift wrapping, especially for jewelry, cosmetics, souvenirs, or high-end products that require sophistication and luxury.
  • Branding: Brand logos, custom designs, or messages can be printed on the paper to increase product recognition and personalization.

Sizes may vary depending on the supplier and product type. It is necessary to contact the supplier directly to request paper cutting to the desired size.

Custom tissue paper is used in many industries that require high aesthetics and delicate protection for products, such as cosmetics, jewelry, gifts, handicrafts, and high-end foods. Tissue paper adds a luxurious look, protects the product from scratches and dirt, and creates a unique unboxing experience for customers.

Industries that use tissue paper options:

  • Cosmetics and perfumes: Helps to enhance the value of products, especially handmade soaps, skin care sets, or perfumes.
  • Jewelry and ornaments: Used to line or wrap the inside of protective boxes, creating a luxurious feel and protecting jewelry from scratches.
  • Gifts: Can be used as a liner in gift boxes or for gift wrapping, creating a layer of commercial application protection and a delicate appearance.
  • Handicrafts: Suitable for packaging handmade products such as candles, ornaments, or souvenirs to create a layer of protection and decoration.
  • High-end food: Tissue paper can be used to package cakes, chocolates, or other foods, giving a high-end look and protecting the product.
  • Other industries: Remaining applications are in industries such as fashion and printing (brochures, luxury catalogs).

3. Raw Materials

Custom tissue paper is mainly made from natural wood pulp (about 70%) combined with other additives such as kaolin and starch (30%). These papers can be produced with many different characteristics, creating gift wrapping papers with a variety of materials and surfaces such as matte paper, silk paper, or silk interlining.

Main Ingredients:

  • Natural wood pulp: The main ingredient, creating the basic structure of the paper. This includes recycled pulp (recovered paper) and alternative sources such as bagasse (sugar cane bagasse) and bamboo (from some suppliers).
  • Additives: Substances such as kaolin and starch are added to improve the strength, smoothness, whiteness, and other properties of the paper.

Note:

  • Depending on your needs, you can choose the appropriate paper.
  • For gift wrapping paper printed with patterns or motifs, the production process will include an additional printing step.

4. Processing

Summary of main steps (industrial):

  1. Chopping/defibering & pulping: Converting virgin/recovered material into pulp.
  2. Bleaching/filtering & refining: Controlling whiteness and impurities.
  3. Sheeting/stirring & forming: Creating a wet web.
  4. Pressing/shaping/creping: Creping creates the softness and shrinkage characteristic of tissue.
  5. Drying & calendering: Stabilizing thickness and surface.
  6. Converting (rolling, sheet cutting, printing, packaging): Flexo/gravure/digital printing, cutting, and packaging into half-ream, full-ream, or bundles.

Finishing:

  • Cutting: After printing, the tissue paper is cut into sizes according to customer requirements, which can be large sheets or smaller ones.
  • Rolling and packaging: The tissue paper is rolled into smaller rolls and packed in plastic bags or other protective materials to ensure quality and convenience.
  • Quality inspection: The packaged rolls of paper are checked for quality one last time before being delivered to customers.

5. Manufacturing/Printing Methods

  • Flexographic (Flexo): Usually used for large volumes on thin paper. It has a low printing cost and is suitable for simple patterns and background colors.
  • Gravure (Copper Tube): Suitable for very large volumes and high quality, but with a high code cost. It is used for effective branded products.
  • Offset / Lithography: Less common for very delicate tissue, but can be used for silk paper or post-processing.
  • Digital Printing (Inkjet/Ink): Good for small orders and variable data printing. It has a higher cost per unit but a reduced Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ).

Principle and Implementation (Screen Printing Example):

  1. Creating the printing plate: Ink is applied to a printing frame (made of wood or aluminum) stretched over a thin mesh.
  2. Creating the image: A layer of photosensitive glue is applied to the mesh, and the design image is projected onto it. The glue dries and seals the mesh, leaving only the areas corresponding to the image open for ink to pass through.
  3. Printing: Ink is poured onto the frame and spread evenly with a rubber squeegee. The force of the squeegee pushes the ink through the mesh and onto the surface of the wrapping paper.
  4. Finishing: After printing, the paper is dried to ensure the ink adheres firmly. This process is repeated for each color if the design has multiple colors.

Custom tissue paper printing helps build your brand, increase customer recognition, create a professional impression, and is an effective, low-cost way to promote in large quantities. This technique also has the advantage of high color fastness, sharp images, and can be printed on many materials.


6. Production Lead Time

The production time for custom packaging tissue paper can take from 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the order volume and the supplier's process.

Factors that affect this time include:

  • Quantity: The larger the order, the longer the production time.
  • Design process: The design of the model, logo, and other custom details takes time to complete and approve.
  • Production process: Includes steps such as printing, post-printing, packaging, and quality control, each taking a certain amount of time.
  • Delivery time: After production is completed, the shipping time also needs to be calculated into the total time to receive the goods.

For accurate information, it is necessary to contact the supplier directly to discuss the details of the needs and receive a specific quote on the production time.


7. Price and MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)

Note: Prices and MOQs vary greatly by supplier, material, whether it's printed, the number of colors, special handling, and shipping. The information below is a rough reference from B2B suppliers/selling lists.

  • Reference price (gift tissue, simple): Many listings on Alibaba show schematic prices from ~$0.01–$0.10/piece (depending on color, size, GSM, and 1-color printing). This is a wholesale reference price for sheet/bag units; the retail price will be higher.
  • MOQ: Printing/packaging factories often require an MOQ. For example, many listings on Alibaba state a "Min order" of 1000 pieces/1,000 reams or by weight/ream. For custom orders (logo/color), the MOQ is usually higher.

Factors affecting price and MOQ:

  • Supplier: Each supplier has a different price structure and MOQ policy.
  • Shape and size: Tissue paper comes in many different sizes, which directly affects the cost of raw materials and production.
  • Paper material: The type of tissue paper, thickness, and other properties such as water resistance and oil resistance will affect the price.
  • Design and number of printed colors: The number of colors and the complexity of the printed design will increase the production cost.
  • Order quantity: The larger the quantity, the lower the unit price tends to be.

8. Results of Product Application

CLIENT: Specific Customer Experience

  • Feeling appreciated: Custom tissue paper, whether it features a logo, brand name, or a personal message, shows the investment of time and effort from the seller. This makes the customer feel that their product is more special and valuable.
  • Strong brand impression: Beautiful and unique packaging is not just an outer wrapper but also a part of the brand experience. It helps customers remember the brand longer and differentiates it from competitors.
  • The "surprise" and "wow" factor: Customers often expect items to be packaged in a regular cardboard box. Unwrapping custom tissue paper creates a moment of surprise and delight.
  • Enhances emotional engagement: This experience creates an emotional connection between the customer and the brand, beyond the typical purchase transaction. Customers feel closer and more trusting.
  • Encourage social sharing: Attractive and unique packaging is a factor that attracts customers to share images of their packages on social media platforms. This helps the brand reach many other potential customers naturally and effectively.
  • Increase the likelihood of returning: Customers who have a good experience are more likely to return for future purchases. This service and attention to detail are effective factors in customer retention.

BUSINESS:

  • Build and promote your brand:
    • Increase brand recognition when customers see your logo and information on the packaging.
    • Create a professional impression and enhance the reputation of your products/services.
    • Serve as an effective advertising channel to introduce new products, promotions, or business messages.
  • Increase competitiveness and customer satisfaction:
    • Create a difference for your products and attract new customers.
    • Help retain old customers thanks to professionalism and attention to detail.
    • Bring a better experience to customers when they receive carefully packaged products.
  • Demonstrate professionalism and meticulousness: Investing in custom packaging shows that your business pays attention to every detail, creating a professional and classy impression.
  • Protect goods:
    • Minimize damage: Tissue paper, with its high durability, helps protect products from dirt, scratches, and other impacts during transportation, minimizing the rate of damage.

Note:

  • If you only need to package lightweight, non-fragile goods where aesthetics are important and transportation occurs under ideal conditions, tissue paper is a suitable choice.
  • If your goods are fragile, at risk of exposure to moisture, or need to be transported for a long time, you should use better protective materials such as carton boxes, foam, shockproof airbags, or strong adhesive tape.

9. Summary

The seemingly simple material of tissue paper plays an important role in protecting products and enhancing the customer's unboxing experience. With its light, soft, and flexible properties, tissue paper can be easily customized in terms of color, thickness, and printing techniques to suit various industries such as fashion, footwear, or fresh flowers. The combination of aesthetics and function makes tissue paper an effective tool to increase brand value. In the context of the increasing trend of sustainable consumption, using tissue paper from recycled or environmentally friendly sources also brings a competitive advantage to businesses. Choosing the right type of paper, printing method, and reputable manufacturer will help businesses optimize costs, ensure quality, and create a deep impression in the eyes of customers.

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