Zig Zag

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Zig Zag and how long has it been around?

  Zig Zag is one of the oldest and most recognized rolling paper brands in the world, founded in France in 1879 by the Braunstein brothers. The brand's signature orange packaging and interlocking paper design (where pulling one paper automatically presents the next, the original 'zig zag' mechanic that gave the brand its name) have been industry standards for over 145 years. Zig Zag papers are produced in France using natural plant fibers and gum arabic adhesive, with no chemical bleaching on the unbleached lines. The brand now offers a full lineup beyond traditional rolling papers including pre-rolled cones, hemp wraps, organic hemp papers, ultra-thin variants, rolling trays, and the iconic Zig Zag cigarette roller.

• What is the difference between Zig Zag Orange, White, Ultra Thin, Organic Hemp, and Unbleached papers?

  Zig Zag Orange (the brand's signature) is the classic French paper made from natural plant fibers — medium weight, slow burning, and the iconic Zig Zag flavor profile. White Single Wide is the traditional thin paper for a faster burn and lighter mouthfeel. Ultra Thin papers are the lightest Zig Zags — nearly transparent, minimal paper taste, designed for users who want to taste only the herb. Organic Hemp papers are made entirely from hemp fiber rather than wood pulp — slightly thicker than the Ultra Thin, with a more pronounced earthy flavor and slow even burn. Unbleached papers skip the chlorine and oxygen bleaching steps that whiten standard papers, leaving them their natural brown color with no chemical processing. Cut Corner papers have angled corners that some rollers prefer for tighter, more even rolls.

• How do I roll a Zig Zag?

  Pull a single paper from the Zig Zag pack — the interlocking design automatically presents the next paper. Hold the paper between your thumbs and index fingers with the gum line facing up and away from you, gum strip on the far edge. Grind your herb to a medium consistency and sprinkle a line down the center of the paper. Tuck the edge closest to you over the herb and use your thumbs to roll back and forth, packing the herb into a cylinder. Once the herb is compact, continue rolling until the gum strip is exposed. Lick the gum strip and seal. For a filter or crutch, roll a small piece of cardstock into a tight tube and insert at one end before sealing. The first few rolls are always wonky — most people get the hang of it after 5 to 10 attempts.

• How do I use the Zig Zag cigarette roller?

  The Zig Zag cigarette roller is a small two-roller device that mechanically rolls a cigarette or joint with consistent tightness every time. Open the roller fully so the two rollers separate. Place a Zig Zag rolling paper across both rollers with the gum strip on the far edge facing away from you. Add your ground herb evenly across the paper. Close the roller and use your thumbs to roll both rollers forward (away from you) and back several times — this packs the herb into a tight cylinder. Once the herb is compact, lick the exposed gum strip while keeping the rollers slightly open, then close completely and roll forward to seal. Open the roller and your finished joint or cigarette will be perfectly cylindrical. Available in 70mm (standard cigarette size) and 79mm (1¼ joint size) models.

• What is the difference between Zig Zag papers, pre-rolled cones, and hemp wraps?

  Zig Zag offers three main rolling formats. Traditional rolling papers (Orange, White, Ultra Thin, Organic Hemp, Unbleached) are flat sheets that you fill, roll, and seal yourself — the original Zig Zag format, lowest cost per use, and customizable to any size. Pre-rolled cones are pre-shaped paper cones with integrated filter tips ready to fill — faster and more consistent than rolling from scratch, particularly useful for new rollers or anyone who wants a cone shape without the technique. Hemp Wraps are flat sheets of hemp fiber paper (not palm leaf or tobacco) designed as a tobacco-free alternative to traditional blunt wraps — thicker than rolling papers, slower-burning, and meant for blunt-style rolls rather than cigarette-style joints. Choose based on your preferred format: papers for traditional rollers, cones for convenience, hemp wraps for blunt smokers.

• Are Zig Zag hemp wraps tobacco-free?

  Yes. Zig Zag Hemp Wraps are 100% tobacco-free and nicotine-free, made entirely from hemp fiber paper. They were designed specifically as a tobacco-free alternative to traditional cigarillo-based blunt wraps like Swisher Sweets, Backwoods, or White Owls — same flat-sheet blunt format and slow burn, but no tobacco, no nicotine, and no chemical processing for tobacco curing. Zig Zag's traditional rolling papers and pre-rolled cones are also tobacco-free — they're made from plant fibers (typically wood pulp or hemp) with gum arabic adhesive, never from tobacco. If you're transitioning away from blunt wraps or just want a tobacco-free option for blunt-style smoking, Zig Zag Hemp Wraps are sold in 2-pack pouches with 25-pack displays for retailers.

• What size Zig Zag should I buy: Single Wide, 1¼, or King Size?

  Zig Zag papers come in three primary sizes. Single Wide papers are 68 to 70mm long and the narrowest — the traditional cigarette-rolling size, used for solo or quick personal rolls. 1¼ Size papers are 76 to 78mm long and slightly wider — the most popular size for cannabis joints, balancing capacity (about 0.5 to 0.75 grams) with portability and easy rolling. King Size papers are 100 to 110mm long and widest — designed for larger group rolls, holding about 1 to 1.5 grams comfortably. Most new rollers start with 1¼ since it's the most forgiving size, then move to King Size for group sessions or Single Wide for discreet personal use. The Zig Zag Cones line follows the same sizing convention so cone users can match their preferred paper size.