Not all paper manufacturers are created equal. Some specialize in certain types of paper or manufacturing methods, while others stick to mainstream items like computer paper and packaging board. Picking the right paper manufacturer can be tricky if you don't understand some of the terminology used in the industry.
When you start shopping for pulp and paper products, you'll encounter different terms that may be unfamiliar. Here are a few of the terms you need to know:
1. Mechanical pulping: the physical process used to break down wood or other material to make it into a soupy substance for making paper. Some companies use chemical pulping, which uses up more resources, but with an end result that's usually stronger than with mechanical pulping.
2. Special paper products: generally, any paper product made of something other than wood-- for example, cotton or bamboo.
3. Paper making: the second step in the process. The pulp is put through a series of screens to drain the water and create a finished product.
4. Paper mill: where paper pulp is processed into the finished product. Some companies do everything in one place; others ship the pulp to a mill to create the end product.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Learn all you can about the pulp and paper industry
The paper products you buy play a huge role in your bottom line. By learning all you can about the industry and keeping up with what's new, you can not only monitor your costs, you can even be among the first to integrate new technologies to take your product to a new level.
I recommend: Stay on top of developments in the pulp and paper industry. There are several associations set up to keep you abreast of the latest news and information. You can check out the
Pulp and Paper Products Council,
American Forest and Paper Association or log on to the
Pulp and Paper Network to get the latest news.
Go green with special paper products
Thanks to modern technology, you have many more options when buying paper products. By choosing green materials, you can not only decrease your environmental footprint but can also draw in a new range of customers. So consider products made of cotton, bamboo and other earth-friendly materials.
I recommend: Go green with a special paper manufacturer. You can choose a company like
Cheney Pulp, which creates paper products out of cotton and used textiles, or go with one like
Minas Basin, which focuses on 100% recycled paperboard products.
Get the right pulp and paper products at the right price
After you consider all the industry trends, you have to stop and look at your bottom line before making a decision. The best way to do that is to get as many quotes as possible to compare prices and services. Keep in mind that location and customer service should also be major factors when you're picking a paper manufacturer.
I recommend: Get quotes from big and small companies to compare their prices. You can go with the big conglomerates like
Kimberly-Clark,
Georgia-Pacific or
Proctor & Gamble, or try out some smaller paper-specialty companies like
Wausau Papers or
Weyerhauser.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- In addition to color and thickness, pay attention to the sizing applied to your various paper products. Sizing is the coating that allows ink and toner to adhere to the paper
The official source of Pulp and Paper Products is
the Pulp and Paper Products page at Business.com
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