While rolling sheets can be very practical, they are not for everyone. To make a joint with traditional papers you need some skill and experience. The alternative is readily available: pre-rolled joint papers in the form of hollow cones.
Cloudy Choices has spent years helping Aussies find papers that match their style, not some one-size-fits-all pick. That’s why we feel we have something to say in this debate.
Advantages of Pre Rolled Joint Papers
Pre rolled joint papers come already shaped and ready to fill. You skip the shaping, skip the tuck, and go straight to packing and sealing.
The paper holds its cone form before you even touch your mix, so every roll starts from the same baseline. You get a more consistent shape, a tighter pack, and a cleaner seal along the gumline without fighting the paper to get there.
They also cut down on waste. Fewer torn papers, fewer restarts, and less time fussing means more of your mix actually ends up in the roll where it belongs.
Here is what you gain if you go this route:
- Less setup: no flattening, shaping, or fighting to start the tuck
- More consistency: same cone shape every time
- Less waste: fewer torn papers and fewer restarts
- More session-friendly: quicker to sort when you just want to get on with it
Advantages of traditional papers
Traditional papers still rule because they give you full control over the roll, the taste, and the burn, without locking you into someone else’s shape or pack. Once you’ve got the basics down, they’re the most flexible option you can buy.
You choose the size (single wide for a slim, tidy roll or double wide when you want more room), how tight you roll, and how much paper you use. None of this is possible with pre-rolled joint papers.
Papers also keep flavour neutral, as they’re made with natural plant fibres and skip extra chemical processing. If you want the paper to bring extra taste to the session, flavoured papers like liquorice do exactly that.
Here is the rundown of what you gain with traditional papers:
- More control: you decide the width, length, and tightness
- More consistency: you can pick papers with a gumline that seals cleanly
- More conducive to your preferences: you can roll small, big, skinny, chunky…
Who Should Use Pre Rolled vs Traditional
Your best pick is the one that matches your rolling skills right now.
If you’re still learning, go simple and forgiving: pick up pre rolled joint papers and don’t bother with rolling. All you need to do is fill up the cone and close it up, and you need zero skill for that. If you get the density right and don’t wrinkle the paper, the joint will actually look as if a veteran smoker rolled it.
Once you start feeling comfortable with the process, that’s when “traditional” rolling papers become a playground instead of a chore. You can experiment with double wide if you like thicker rolls, and you can decide if you want the paper to stay neutral or add a bit of flavour to the session.
Pick the format that lets you roll today, not the one you wish you were ready for.
Keep It Simple, Keep It Cloudy
There is a reason why Cloudy Choices stocks both premium rolling papers and pre rolled joint papers that are all ready to go. Each smoker has his own ritual, and both types of papers stay in high demand.
We make sure that our customers have options. If you are a real 420 fan, you would be wise to check out which smoking accessories are available on our website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between single wide and double wide rolling papers?
Single wide rolling papers are the classic narrower size, which makes them easier to control while you’re learning and less likely to overpack. Double wide papers give you more width to work with, so they suit thicker rolls or when you want extra room to spread your mix evenly.
Do flavoured papers like liquorice affect the smoke taste?
Yep, flavoured rolling papers will change the taste, because the flavouring comes through as you burn. Liquorice papers add a distinct flavour note that can either be the whole point, or not your thing if you prefer a cleaner, more natural taste.
Why are unbleached papers considered better quality?
Unbleached papers are made from natural plant fibres without the extra chemical processing used to whiten some papers. For a lot of people, that means a cleaner paper taste and a more straightforward burn that lets your blend do the talking.
Does paper weight affect how your roll burns?
Yes. Thinner papers burn slower and stay out of the way of your blend’s flavour, but they’re less forgiving if your roll is uneven. Heavier papers are more durable and easier to handle, but they can add more paper taste and burn faster if packed too loosely.
How should you store rolling papers to keep them in good condition?
Keep them in their original pack, away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. A hot car or humid room will make papers go limp, curl, or tear mid-roll. A cool, dry drawer or a sealed container is all you need to keep them rolling cleanly.
