How to Use Rolling Papers: Complete Beginner's Guide (2026)

Learning how to use rolling papers is a fundamental skill for any cannabis enthusiast. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your technique, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using rolling papers effectively.

What You'll Need

Before you start rolling, gather these essential materials:

• Rolling papers (1 1/4, king size, or your preferred size)
• Your chosen herb or tobacco, ground to medium consistency
• Filter tip or crutch (optional but recommended)
• Grinder (for consistent texture)
• Clean, flat surface to work on

Hemp or rice rolling papers are ideal for beginners as they're easier to work with than ultra-thin varieties. MunchMakers custom hemp rolling papers provide excellent grip and forgiveness for new rollers while featuring your brand.

Step-by-Step: How to Use Rolling Papers

Step 1: Prepare Your Material

Grind your herb to a medium consistency—not too fine (which can fall through and create airflow issues) and not too chunky (which creates uneven burning). Remove any stems or seeds. You'll need about 0.5-1 gram for a standard joint.

Step 2: Create or Insert Your Filter Tip

If using a filter tip, make it first. Take a small piece of thin cardboard and roll it into a cylinder, or create an accordion fold in the center for stability. Place it at one end of your rolling paper. This prevents herb from falling out and makes the joint easier to hold.

Step 3: Position the Rolling Paper

Hold the rolling paper with the adhesive strip facing up and away from you. The glue should be on the top edge. If your paper has a crease or watermark, the crease should face up.

Step 4: Add Your Material

Distribute your ground material evenly along the length of the paper, keeping it centered. Leave about a quarter inch of space at each end. If you're using a filter, place it at one end and distribute the material next to it.

Step 5: Shape the Joint

Using your thumbs and index fingers, gently pinch the paper around the material and begin rolling it back and forth. This shapes the material into a cylinder. Work from the filter end toward the other end to ensure even distribution.

Step 6: Tuck and Roll

Once your material is shaped, use your thumbs to tuck the non-adhesive edge of the paper under the material and around it. Start at the filter end and work your way to the tip. Continue rolling upward.

Step 7: Seal the Joint

Once the paper is wrapped around the material with only the adhesive strip exposed, lick the glue strip from end to end. Press it down firmly and evenly.

Step 8: Pack and Finish

If the open end is loose, gently pack it down using a pen, key, or specialized packing tool. You can twist the end closed or leave it open.

How to Use Rolling Papers with Tips

Using rolling papers with built-in filter tips or adding your own provides several advantages:

• Prevents material from falling out or getting in your mouth
• Provides structural stability for easier rolling
• Keeps the end from getting soggy
• Makes the joint easier to hold when it gets short
• Improves airflow for better draws

Always start rolling from the filter end and work toward the open tip for the tightest, most even roll.

Choosing the Right Size

Single Wide (68-70mm): Smallest, hardest to roll, uses least material 1 1/4 Size (76-78mm): Most popular, good balance 1.5 Size (76-78mm × 60mm): Slightly wider, more forgiving King Size (100-110mm): Longer for larger joints King Size Slim: Long but narrow, for experienced rollers

For beginners, start with 1 1/4 or 1.5 size papers—most forgiving and easiest to learn with.

Common Mistakes and Solutions

Joint Too Loose: Use less material, pack tighter during shaping, ensure complete tuck before sealing

Joint Too Tight: Use slightly less material or don't pack as firmly

Paper Tears: Use thicker papers (hemp or unbleached wood pulp), don't overfill, be gentler

Uneven Burning: Distribute material more evenly, ensure consistent grind, avoid rolling too tight on one side

Material Falls Out: Use a filter tip, twist or fold the lighting end closed, don't grind too fine

Alternative Rolling Methods

Pinch and Roll: Classic technique involving pinching and rolling between fingers

Dollar Bill Method: For beginners, place paper inside folded bill, roll the bill

Pencil Method: Roll paper around pencil, seal, remove pencil, fill from open end

Pre-Rolled Cones: The Easiest Alternative

Pre-rolled cones eliminate the learning curve—simply fill with ground material and twist closed. Perfect for beginners, high-volume production, speed, people with dexterity challenges, and ensuring consistent quality.

Materials Matter

Hemp Papers: Medium thickness, slow burn, easy to roll, earthy flavor, eco-friendly

Rice Papers: Ultra-thin, very slow burn, clean taste, requires experience

Wood Pulp: Most common, economical, medium burn, good for beginners

Unbleached: Natural brown color, no chlorine, slightly thicker, easier to handle

Best for learning: Hemp or unbleached wood pulp papers.

Tips for Perfect Rolls

• Practice with tobacco or herbs before expensive material
• Keep hands clean and dry
• Work on clean, flat, smooth surface with good lighting
• Grind to consistent medium texture
• Don't overfill—less is more when learning
• Start with thicker papers, work to thinner ones
• Use filter tip for structural support
• Roll from filter end toward open end
• Take your time—rushing leads to tears

Custom Rolling Papers for Your Brand

For dispensaries and cannabis brands, custom branded rolling papers offer quality rivaling major brands while building your brand identity. Available in all popular sizes, premium materials (hemp, rice, organic, unbleached), with or without filter tips, magnetic closure booklets, low minimums (100-500 units), and custom printed with your logo.

MunchMakers papers provide the same quality as top retail brands while featuring YOUR unique branding.