About Us

Paper Source is a premier paperie and online retailer offering a unique selection of fine and artisanal papers, invitations and announcements, personalized and distinctive gifts, gift wrap, greeting cards, custom stamps, and a custom collection of envelope and cards. Paper Source offers an original aesthetic, with a color palette and proprietary designs that are developed and created exclusively by us.

Our Mission
At Paper Source, our mission is to inspire you to "Do Something Creative Every Day," to spark ideas and provide materials to celebrate life moments with beauty, humor, originality, and personal expression. A funny card, personalized stationery, a lovely invitation, a beautifully wrapped gift, or birth announcement - we believe that each offers a unique opportunity for creative expression in everyday life. At Paper Source, we are committed to innovation and original design, offering an assortment that allows our customers to express themselves through inspired creativity. Our goal is to continue to bring the unique Paper Source experience closer to our customers by opening new stores around the country and expanding the product offering on our web site.

Our History
Paper Source was founded in 1983 by Sue Lindstrom, a woman who was delightfully obsessed with paper. Inspired by the traditional papermaking artistry in Japan, Sue opened the first Paper Source store in Chicago to showcase beautiful handcrafted papers from around the world. Through the years, Paper Source grew its product offering beyond fine paper and expanded its reach with the introduction of a robust web store and a wholesale division, Waste Not Paper. Today, Paper Source has dedicated design and product development teams that produce exclusive new kits, stationery, gift wrap and invitation designs each year.

In 2007, Paper Source received an infusion of growth capital from Brentwood Associates, a private equity investment firm with a shared passion for the Paper Source brand and a likeminded goal for nurturing and growing consumer businesses. Sue and her business partner Jim York carefully selected Brentwood and together they brought in Sally Pofcher as CEO. Under Sally's leadership, Paper Source has stepped up its commitment to the environment and opened more than 30 new stores, bringing our total to over 50 stores in 19 states, with plans to open additional stores in 2012 and 2013.

What's with the wasp?
The diligent paper wasp creates its nest by chewing bark and leaves into a paper-like pulp, and thus receives our affectionate designation as the original paper maker.

So, in tribute to our fellow paper aficionado, fold yourself an origami cup and offer a papery toast to the insect that started it all!