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Paper vs Plastic Slip Sheets: Comparison and How to Choose

June 6, 2026 — Lê Văn Thăng

Paper vs plastic slip sheets compared by durability, moisture resistance, load and price. Paper from ~20,000 VND/sheet; plastic is reusable many times.

Slip sheets come in two main material families: laminated kraftliner paper and PP/HDPE plastic. Paper is cheaper and more eco-friendly, while plastic is more durable, moisture-resistant and reusable many times over. Choosing the wrong material leads to torn sheets in a humid warehouse, or paying a premium for what is really a single-use need. This article compares the two in detail by durability, moisture resistance, load capacity, reuse count and price, with a framework for choosing based on your cargo type and environment.

Paper vs plastic slip sheet comparison

Criteria Paper slip sheet (kraftliner) Plastic slip sheet (PP/HDPE)
Tensile strength Decent, can tear under hard pulling High, handles pulling well
Moisture and water resistance Weaker, even with a laminate layer Excellent, fully waterproof
Reuse count 1-2 times Many times (reusable)
Weight Under 1 kg Under 1 kg
Eco-friendliness Good, paper is easy to recycle Recyclable plastic, durable for reuse
Relative price Cheaper More expensive
Best suited for Dry goods, one-way trips, export Humid warehouses, repeated reuse, heavier loads

Slip sheets generally cost around 20,000-100,000 VND per sheet depending on material, thickness and size, far cheaper than wooden pallets (150,000-300,000 VND) and plastic pallets (200,000-400,000 VND).

Kraftliner paper slip sheet

Advantages

The lowest-cost option, lightweight and easy to recycle. The laminate layer adds basic durability and moisture resistance. Ideal for dry goods on one-way trips, especially for export where you do not need to recover the sheets.

Limitations

Less moisture-resistant than plastic; exposed to water or a humid warehouse, it softens and tears easily. Limited reuse (1-2 times). Not suitable for heavy goods or wet environments.

PP/HDPE plastic slip sheet

Advantages

High tensile strength, fully waterproof, performing well in cold and humid storage. Because it can be reused many times, it is cheaper per use on repeated internal shipping routes. Its smooth surface makes push-pull handling effortless.

Limitations

Higher upfront cost than paper. For one-way shipments where sheets are not recovered, the plastic cost may not be as efficient as paper. Weigh it against the actual number of reuse cycles.

Choosing material by cargo type and environment

Scenario Recommended choice Reason
One-way export, dry goods Kraftliner paper Cheap, no need to recover
Humid or cold storage PP/HDPE plastic Waterproof, will not soften or tear
Repeated internal routes PP/HDPE plastic Reusable, cheaper per use
Heavier goods, frequent pulling PP/HDPE plastic High tensile strength, less tearing
Tight budget, single use Kraftliner paper Lowest cost

Technical specifications: paper and plastic

Beyond the qualitative comparison, below is the range of technical specifications by industry standard so you can cross-check when placing an order.

Specification Kraftliner paper PP/HDPE plastic
Construction 3-5 pressed kraft paper layers Extruded PP or HDPE sheet
Common thickness 0.6-1.5 mm 0.6-1.2 mm (up to 2.5 mm available)
Basis weight 600-1,200 gsm Rated by thickness, not gsm
Reference load capacity 800-1,500 kg/sheet 800-2,000 kg/sheet
Reuse count 1-2 times Many times (closed loop)
Optimal environment Dry storage, boxed goods Humid or cold storage, heavy/sharp-edged goods

Figures are reference ranges per industry standard; exact specifications are cut to order per batch by ICD. The heavier the load or the sharper the cargo edges, the more you should choose plastic to avoid tearing and punctures.

Why paper weakens when damp while plastic stays stable

Paper absorbs moisture, losing rigidity and deflecting more under load, which reduces its load-bearing capacity. A moisture-resistant coating only slows the process; it cannot withstand soaking or condensation. PP/HDPE plastic is non-absorbent and keeps a stable rigidity at any humidity, which is exactly why cold storage prone to condensation and wet-floor wash-down areas should use plastic.

Related articles

What is a slip sheet? A pallet alternative How to use slip sheets with push-pull Slip sheet sizes and specifications

Frequently asked questions about slip sheet materials

1. Which is better, paper or plastic slip sheets?

Neither is absolutely better. Paper is cheap and suits dry goods on one-way trips. Plastic is durable, moisture-resistant and reusable many times, suiting humid warehouses and repeated internal routes. Choose based on your environment and how many times you will reuse it.

2. Can paper slip sheets be used in cold storage?

Not recommended. Cold and humid storage softens and tears paper even with a laminate layer. For cold storage, use waterproof PP/HDPE plastic slip sheets.

3. How many times can a plastic slip sheet be reused?

Many more times than paper, depending on handling and storage. Thanks to its high tensile strength and non-absorbent surface, plastic suits repeated shipping routes and lowers the cost per use.

4. How much does a slip sheet cost?

Around 20,000-100,000 VND per sheet depending on material, thickness and size. Paper is cheaper than plastic. Both are still far cheaper than wooden and plastic pallets.

5. Which material is more eco-friendly?

Kraftliner paper is easier to recycle and break down. PP/HDPE plastic offsets this with reusability, reducing the number of discarded sheets. Both produce less waste than single-use wooden pallets.

6. How much load can a paper slip sheet bear?

Roughly 800-1,500 kg per sheet depending on the number of layers and thickness; thick multi-layer types carry close to 2 tonnes. For heavier or sharp-edged goods, switch to PP/HDPE plastic.

Contact ICD for slip sheet quotes

ICD Viet Nam Industrial Production Company Limited

Northern Vietnam: Floor 3, Thang Long A1 Building, Bau Hamlet, Thien Loc Commune, Hanoi - 0983 797 186 / 090 345 9186 / 090 5859 186

Southern Vietnam: 551/212 Le Van Khuong, Tan Thoi Hiep, District 12, HCMC - 098 6784 186

Email: sales@icdvietnam.com.vn · Zalo: Chat on Zalo now

ICD supplies both kraftliner paper and PP/HDPE plastic slip sheets. Tell us your cargo type and warehouse environment, and ICD will advise the optimal material and quote right away.


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