Gift Wrap & Wrapping Paper

Wrapping paper has several uses in addition to covering Christmas and birthday presents. Several products in the gift wrap and wrapping paper section are ideal for using as posters in a kid's bedroom or classroom and for storing valuable items. Browse Staples and choose from multiple colors, patterns, and finishes to give a touch of originality to any project in the office, at home, or in the classroom.

Features of gift wrapping paper 
When choosing gift wrapping paper, the personality of the recipient and the occasion are important considerations. Gender makes a difference, as does the age of the person, whether it's a child or an adult. The gifts may be for personal celebrations or given as part of a marketing strategy by a retail or corporate entity. The texture, finish and thickness of the paper provides an impression, and the general types of wrapping paper are specialty, coated, crepe, and Kraft. If the contents of the parcel are awkward shapes, very thick paper may not be suitable as it's difficult to fold and crease. Colors and patterns of paper may make the difference between the first impression of a standout gift or an average one. Brighter and bolder doesn't necessarily mean better, so choose carefully. Color is an excellent way to tie up brand logos and colors. 

Practical uses for wrapping paper
Kraft paper is a heavier brown paper that's ideal for wrapping artwork, packaging items in a brick-and-mortar retail setting to hand directly to customers, or for use in arts and crafts. Tissue paper works well as a filler inside gift bags and for colorful paper mache decorations like pinatas. Thrifty homeowners can use creative skills to spruce up a house on a budget. Decorating a kitchen is easy with the right tools. Consider using gift wrapping paper for drawer linings, place mats, and posters. If a bookshelf needs some help, make different colored book covers.

Children love to use gift wrapping paper to make flowers, streamers, and paper dolls. Adults can spend hours doing origami, scrapbooking, or creating custom greeting cards.

In a business context, artists may make unique envelopes from gift wrap. Use matte-finished paper and Kraft paper as a backdrop for a presentation. Over-size sheets of paper are ideal for drawing up plans or as a background for the company bulletin board. If a project requires large amounts of wrapping paper, purchase it in bulk.

Does wrapping paper come in different sizes?
Yes. Most rolls are 25 square feet, but some come in 12.5 square feet rolls. Tissue paper typically comes in packs of 40 sheets, each one 20 x 26 inches. The width of standard rolls ranges from 18 to 36 inches.

How environmentally friendly is gift wrapping paper? 
Select paper contains high-quality 30 percent recycled paper. Depending on the type of paper you have, it may be recyclable. You cannot recycle paper that has metallic, flock velvet, or glitter finishes. Once you open a gift, reuse undamaged paper for wrapping other gifts.

Can you use Kraft paper covering for shipping packages via USPS?
No. The post office advises against wrapping parcels for shipping in Kraft paper because they're machine processed and the paper can tear and become separated from the contents. Wrap gifts in paper and place them in USPS-authorized boxes.