Which Type of Pre-Roll Paper Is Best for Your Business?

Consider this—someone you know only smokes Indicas as a hard fact. Someone you know prefers to vape than to risk burnt lungs. Someone you know loves edibles, and someone you know absolutely hates them.

Consuming cannabis, in itself, is a form of expression. But how you consume it—from the method you use to the brands you support—makes the plant and its usage that much more personal. And pre-roll products have the ability to get more personal than any other product in the cannabis market.

This is a massive advantage and opportunity for anyone in or entering the pre-roll market, but it can also be incredibly daunting. Infused or non-infused? Filter or no filter? Stuffed or rolled? House flower or collab flower? Rice paper, natural unbleached paper, or hemp paper?

We can’t help you answer all of those questions. (Except, obviously, rolled over stuffed.) But we can help you narrow down the best pre-roll paper for your brand, especially if you know exactly who your target consumer is.

Keep reading for a deep dive into the different pre-roll paper options available to you, particularly when you choose rolled over stuffed.

Types of Pre-Roll Paper

Choosing the right pre-roll paper isn’t just about wrapping; it’s about enhancing the entire experience. You’ve got options like hemp, rice, and wood pulp, each offering unique benefits.

Hemp pre-roll paper, made from cannabis itself, appeals to eco-friendly brands aiming for a full-circle product. If you’re after a long, relaxed session, rice pre-roll paper might be your best bet—it’s thin and slow-burning, perfect for savoring flavor. Wood pulp pre-roll paper brings durability and versatility, making it ideal for high-volume production without the fragility of rice paper. And remember, compatibility with your pre-roll packaging setup is key. The right paper can elevate the whole presentation.

Hemp Paper for Pre-rolls

Hemp papers are a natural choice for pre-rolls. Your consumer might consider them an ideal option over other pre-roll paper options like natural or rice paper because they’re made of the same plant as the material they’re rolled around.

Our hemp paper is organic and unbleached, giving it a light brown color. Because it’s unbleached, it gently contributes to the cannabis flavor of a pre-roll, blending in nicely with the plant material. And because of the sturdiness of hemp fibers, It’s known for its durability and slow burn.

If your brand’s target consumer prioritizes eco-consciousness, using hemp paper is a good sell because trees aren’t cut down in order to create it, and hemp plants grow back at a much faster rate than trees. Additionally, our hemp paper is made from post-extraction hemp biomass. Normally, the biomass would be considered waste. By turning it into paper, it avoids the landfill.

Natural Unbleached Paper for Pre-rolls

Natural unbleached paper is a more traditional option than hemp paper for pre-rolls. If your target consumer is someone who’s been smoking for a while, odds are they’ve smoked a joint or two rolled in natural paper (think: RAW and Zig Zag). This familiarity can offer your brand an advantage. Consumers like knowing what to expect.

Since this paper is unbleached, it can add a bit of flavor to a pre-roll product, but at this point, seasoned smokers welcome it since most rolling papers are made from natural paper.

Pre-roll papers with cannabis plant and grinder on a table

hands rolling a joint with rolling papers and matches on a table

Rice Paper for Pre-rolls

Rice paper is another classic pre-roll paper option and our current best seller. When it comes to consumer opinion, this one ranks high. Many smokers have experienced smoking rice paper so they know what to expect from it, and it has an advantage over hemp and natural paper because it doesn’t add any flavor to a pre-roll product.

Rice paper is bleached, which is why it doesn’t impart any flavor when you smoke it. This is something to keep in mind if your brand is rooted in nature-based values. If your customer expects every part of their cannabis experience to be au naturel, you may want to try hemp paper or natural unbleached paper over rice paper.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Pre-Rolled Paper

Every type of pre rolled paper burns differently. Rice paper’s slow burn offers extended sessions, while hemp and wood pulp have unique burn rates that can shape the smoking experience.

Flavor is another game-changer; each paper subtly affects taste. Hemp, for example, gives a neutral burn, while wood pulp can add a hint of sweetness. For brands prioritizing sustainability, organic hemp pre-roll paper is a fantastic choice.

Don’t forget the importance of machine compatibility—your pre roll machine may require specific papers to perform at its best, so choose wisely to avoid any hitches in production. As a side note – the Blackbird is compatible with all three papers mentioned here!

Customizing Pre-Roll Paper for Your Business

Customization goes beyond pre-roll packaging—your pre rolls paper itself can carry your brand’s personality. With options for custom colors, logos, and branding, you can turn your pre-rolls into a powerful marketing tool. Imagine color-coded papers that help customers easily spot their favorite strain or product line. And consistent quality in pre rolled paper isn’t just about looks; it builds trust and boosts your brand reputation. Make your pre-rolls as distinctive as your brand, and watch customer loyalty grow.

Rolling Paper vs. Pre-Made Cones

No matter which pre-roll paper option you choose, if you’re rolling with the Blackbird, you’re already at an advantage over your competitors. The Blackbird is the only automated pre-roll machine on the market that rolls pre-rolls instead of stuffing them. To do this, we use a different paper format—the bobbin.

A bobbin of paper is just a roll of paper—picture paper towels or toilet paper minus the perforations. This makes it much easier to pack and ship than a bunch of pre-made cones that must be shipped standing straight up to maintain their form. (That’s a lot of air to pay to ship.) Since cones can’t be compacted upon shipping, only 250,000-350,000 of them can fit on one pallet.

On the contrary, one bobbin of paper can create around 40,000 joints. If we take that a step further to the pallet size, one pallet of paper bobbins is the equivalent of roughly 60 pallets of cones. A bobbin is about the size of your favorite LP and less than 1.5 inches thick, while 40,000 pre-made cones take up enough space to fill a large closet.

That’s a Wrap

Pre-roll possibilities are endless, and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed when developing your product. The key is to know exactly who your target consumer is and then take it from there.

Does your consumer emphasize sustainability and eco-consciousness in their life? Natural paper and rice paper may not be the right choice for your brand as hemp paper is created more sustainably.

Is your consumer a seasoned smoker? Rice or natural unbleached paper might be your best move as they’ll be familiar with both options and know exactly what to expect from them.

Is the cannabis plant an identifying part of your consumer’s persona? They may prefer hemp paper to maintain their cannabis commitment.

Whichever pre-roll paper you choose, we know your consumer expects a quality, consistent experience. And that can only be achieved by rolling your joints, not stuffing them. So when you’re ready to talk quality and consistency with the Blackbird, hit us up.

Which Pre-Roll Paper is Right for You?

The best pre roll paper for your brand aligns with both your goals and your target market’s preferences. If sustainability tops your list, hemp paper could be the way to go. Seeking durability? Wood pulp paper has you covered. Ultimately, the right choice will enhance your pre-roll packaging and make your products memorable. Explore, experiment, and find what makes your pre-rolls shine in the crowd.