Custom printed wax paper may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about restaurant branding, but it’s a powerful tool that can enhance the presentation of your food and help your business stand out. Whether you’re using it to wrap sandwiches, line baskets, or package baked goods, wax paper is a versatile and cost-effective way to incorporate your brand into every meal.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to create and use custom printed wax paper to boost your restaurant’s branding and improve the customer experience.
Step 1: Determine How You Will Use Custom Wax Paper
The first step in creating custom printed wax paper is determining how it will be used in your restaurant. Wax paper can serve a variety of purposes, from wrapping food to providing an extra layer of branding in your packaging.
Here are a few popular uses:
- Wrapping Sandwiches and Burgers: Custom wax paper gives a professional touch to takeout items, ensuring that your branding is visible even after the food has been unwrapped.
- Lining Baskets or Trays: For dine-in customers, wax paper can line baskets or trays, adding an extra layer of style to your restaurant’s presentation.
- Packaging for Baked Goods: If you sell baked goods like cookies or pastries, wax paper can be used to wrap each item individually, keeping them fresh while showcasing your logo.
- Takeout and Delivery: For takeout and delivery orders, custom wax paper can line the bottom of bags or boxes, reinforcing your brand every time a customer opens their food package.
Pro Tip: Think about how your customers interact with your food. Are they ordering mostly to-go, or are you serving a lot of dine-in customers? Consider where wax paper will have the most impact in your operations.
Step 2: Design Your Custom Wax Paper
Once you know how you’ll be using the wax paper, it’s time to create a design that aligns with your restaurant’s brand identity. Your custom wax paper should incorporate your logo, brand colors, and any other visual elements that represent your restaurant.
Design Tips:
- Keep it Simple: Since wax paper often has food placed directly on it, it’s best to avoid overly complicated designs. A clean, simple logo or pattern that repeats across the paper will make a big impact without overwhelming the food.
- Choose Brand Colors: Use your restaurant’s signature colors in the design to maintain brand consistency across all of your packaging and marketing materials.
- Include Your Logo: Your logo should be the focal point of the design, helping customers instantly recognize your brand.
- Play with Patterns: Don’t be afraid to get creative! You can create a repeating pattern with your logo, or even incorporate playful elements like hand-drawn illustrations that reflect your restaurant’s theme or menu items.
Pro Tip: Work with a professional designer to ensure that your logo and design elements look crisp and clear on the wax paper. The quality of the printing will affect how well your branding comes across.
Step 3: Choose the Right Material and Size
Not all wax paper is the same. You’ll need to choose the right material and size to suit your restaurant’s needs.
Materials to Consider:
- Wax-Coated Paper: Traditional wax-coated paper is ideal for keeping food fresh and preventing grease from soaking through. It’s perfect for wrapping greasy or juicy foods like burgers and sandwiches.
- Dry Wax Paper: Dry wax paper is slightly thinner but still provides a moisture-resistant barrier, making it a good choice for lining baskets or wrapping pastries.
- Greaseproof Paper: If you’re handling particularly greasy foods, you might opt for greaseproof paper, which is more resistant to oils and moisture.
Sizing Options:
- Standard Sheets: These are great for wrapping sandwiches, burgers, and baked goods.
- Custom Sizes: If you need wax paper to fit specific containers, baskets, or trays, you can order custom-sized sheets to ensure the perfect fit.
Pro Tip: Think about the types of food you serve and how much grease or moisture they produce when choosing your wax paper. You want to ensure your packaging holds up to the food while maintaining your design.
Step 4: Print and Order Your Custom Wax Paper
Once your design is finalized and you’ve selected the right material and size, it’s time to place your order. Work with a reputable printer who specializes in custom packaging for restaurants to ensure high-quality printing and paper.
Things to Consider Before Ordering:
- Quantity: Determine how much wax paper you’ll need based on your average order volume. It’s often more cost-effective to order in bulk.
- Lead Time: Be sure to ask about production and delivery times so you can plan your packaging needs in advance.
- Proofing: Always request a sample or proof of your wax paper design before committing to a full order. This ensures that the colors, logo, and design come out exactly as expected.
Pro Tip: Ordering in bulk will usually save you money in the long run, so if you have the storage space, it’s a good idea to stock up on custom wax paper to last for several months.
Step 5: Incorporate Wax Paper into Your Branding Strategy
Now that you have your custom printed wax paper, it’s time to put it to work! Incorporating branded wax paper into your day-to-day operations not only elevates the presentation of your food but also keeps your restaurant top-of-mind for customers long after they’ve left.
Ideas for Branding with Wax Paper:
- Consistent Presentation: Use custom wax paper with every order—whether it’s dine-in, takeout, or delivery. Consistency reinforces your brand and gives customers a memorable, professional experience.
- Social Media Moments: Encourage customers to share their meals on social media by creating “Instagrammable” moments with your packaging. Eye-catching custom wax paper can become a feature in customer photos, spreading your brand organically.
- Promotions: Consider using your custom wax paper to promote seasonal specials or events. You can include a subtle message or design that reflects upcoming promotions, encouraging repeat business.
Pro Tip: Include a hashtag or social media handle on your wax paper to encourage customers to tag your restaurant when they post about their meal. This helps increase your visibility online.
Step 6: Measure the Impact of Your Custom Wax Paper
After incorporating custom printed wax paper into your restaurant’s branding, track how it impacts your business. Keep an eye on customer feedback, social media engagement, and sales. Are customers responding positively to your new packaging? Are you seeing more social media mentions or repeat customers?
Key Metrics to Track:
- Customer Feedback: Listen to what customers say about your new packaging. Positive comments can indicate that your wax paper is making a strong impression.
- Social Media Engagement: Monitor how often customers share photos of your food with the branded wax paper on platforms like Instagram or Facebook.
- Sales Impact: While it may be subtle, enhanced packaging can lead to an improved overall dining experience, which in turn can increase repeat visits and positive reviews.
Pro Tip: If customers love your custom wax paper, consider expanding your branded packaging to other items like napkins, cups, and bags to create a fully branded experience.
Custom Wax Paper as a Branding Tool
Custom printed wax paper offers a unique and effective way to boost your restaurant’s brand presence while enhancing your food presentation. By following these steps—designing, choosing the right material, printing, and incorporating it into your daily operations—you can turn a simple piece of wax paper into a powerful marketing tool.
Whether you’re wrapping sandwiches or lining baskets, custom wax paper adds a professional, memorable touch that helps set your restaurant apart from the competition.
