Papers of Perfection: Top Brands for Premium Quality

When it comes to selecting paper, quality and reliability are at the forefront for anyone looking to make a lasting impression. With countless brands in the market, choosing the best can be overwhelming, especially with varying needs like printing, writing, or crafting. Top brands often cater to diverse requirements, ensuring that every sheet delivers the right texture, weight, and finish for its purpose. Curious about which brands made the cut? Explore the list below to discover the best paper brands that stand out for their superior quality.

Illustration of paper

Best brands of paper in 2025

Hammermill

Hammermill is a renowned producer of high-quality paper, founded in 1898 and known for its exceptional performance and sustainability. In 1967, Hammermill was the world's largest producer of fine paper, accounting for 9.5% of U.S. shipments, and held a 4.98% market share in the U.S. printing and fine paper industry. The company's papers are made from renewable resources from sustainably managed forests and are certified by FSC and SFI. Hammermill's products are engineered to be 99.99% jam-free and feature advanced technologies like COLORLOK for improved ink performance. With a long history of quality and innovation, Hammermill continues to be a trusted name in the paper industry. For more information, visit the Hammermill website.

International Paper

International Paper is a leading global producer of paper and packaging products, boasting a market capitalization of $19.02 billion as of December 2024, with a significant 66.96% increase over the past year. In 2022, the company generated revenue of $21.16 billion, making it the world's largest paper company by revenue, with its North American Industrial Packaging segment contributing $16 billion. International Paper dominates the North American containerboard market with a 32% share and produced 14.37 million short tons of containerboard in 2022. The company has a long history, founded 121 years ago, and employs approximately 39,000 people worldwide. Its product portfolio includes saturated kraft, gypsum paper, and containerboard, among others.

Domtar

Domtar Corporation is a leading North American pulp and paper company, renowned for its extensive range of wood fiber-based products. With six integrated pulp and paper mills, Domtar boasts an annual paper production capacity of 2.2 million tons of uncoated freesheet paper and 265,000 tons of coated, directory, and specialty papers. The company also operates a 100% recycled packaging mill in Kingsport, Tennessee, with an annual production capacity of 600,000 tons of high-quality recycled linerboard and corrugating medium. Domtar has achieved impressive recycling rates, with paper recycling rates exceeding 67.9% in 2022, and cardboard recycling rates reaching 93.6% in the same year. The company's commitment to sustainability is evident through its use of recycled materials and partnerships with retailers like Food City. For more information, visit their official website.

Boise Paper

Boise Paper, a renowned division of Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), stands out as a leading producer of high-quality paper products, including office paper, opaque and offset papers, and envelopes. With a strong commitment to American manufacturing, Boise Paper achieves an impressive 96.5 percent on-time delivery rate and has reduced supply chain costs by 2 to 3 percent annually over the past five years. The company operates with 25 third-party distribution centers and maintains large inventory stockpiles to ensure just-in-time delivery, a necessity in today's fast-paced market. Founded in 1958 as part of Boise Cascade, Boise Paper has evolved through several transitions, including its acquisition by PCA in 2013. Today, it generates $157.8 million in annual revenue and employs 468 people.

Neenah

Neenah, a renowned brand under the Mativ umbrella (NYSE: MATV), has been a trusted partner for 150 years, specializing in premium packaging and specialty paper products. The company operates in over 80 countries, with manufacturing facilities in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Neenah's fine paper and packaging business serves over 450 customers worldwide, with notable brands including CLASSIC(r), ESSE(r), and CRANE'S CREST(r). Their technical products segment, which includes advanced filtration media and specialized performance substrates, accounts for a significant portion of their sales, with 44% in North America, 38% in Europe, and 18% in Asia and Latin America. Neenah is committed to sustainability, with operations certified under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the ISO 14000 Environmental Management System.

Mohawk

Mohawk, founded in 1931 in Upstate New York, is a renowned producer of fine papers, known for its enduring and uniquely crafted products. Over 90 years, Mohawk has demonstrated innovation and resilience in digital printing and sustainability, making paper that is beautiful, effective, responsible, and memorable. The company operates with a focus on the future while honoring its past, continuously pushing the boundaries of papermaking. Mohawk's parent company, the Fedrigoni Group, shares this passion for producing high-quality special papers. Mohawk's commitment to sustainability and innovation has earned it recognition, such as being in the top 20% of its sector for environmental performance according to Institutional Shareholder Services' (ISS) ESG Corporate Ratings.

UPM

UPM, based in Helsinki, Finland, is one of the world's largest and most renowned forest and paper companies, generating EUR10.46 billion in revenue in 2023. With production plants in 13 countries and global sales, UPM excels in various segments, including UPM Communication Papers, which reported EUR3.6 billion in sales for 2023. The company saw a 19% increase in sales in 2022 compared to the previous year, driven by higher sales prices across most business areas. UPM's comparable EBIT increased by 42% to EUR2,096 million in 2022, reflecting a strong financial performance. The company also made significant investments, such as the UPM Paso de los Toros pulp mill in Uruguay, which started production in Q2 2023 and is expected to more than double its production in 2024. For more detailed information, visit UPM's official website.

Stora Enso

Stora Enso is a leading global supplier of pulp and paper products, renowned for its diverse portfolio that includes magazine papers, fine papers, pulp grades, and packaging materials. In 2023, the company's packaging materials segment generated sales of 4.55 billion euros, with the forest segment following closely at almost 2.5 billion euros. Stora Enso aims to achieve 100% recyclable products by 2030, with 94% of its products already meeting this criterion as of 2022. The company operates in Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and the Americas, serving a wide range of industries including packaging producers, brand owners, and construction companies. Stora Enso's commitment to sustainability is highlighted by its 75% energy self-sufficiency in 2023. For more information, visit their official website.

Georgia-Pacific

Georgia-Pacific is a leading producer of tissue paper in North America, holding a significant market share of approximately 27% in both 2021 and 2023. The company's tissue production capacity in North America was estimated at 2.7 million short tons in 2021, accounting for roughly 27% of the total North American tissue capacity that year. Georgia-Pacific's dominance is further underscored by its optimization of manufacturing processes using advanced analytics, resulting in millions of dollars in increased profits by reducing paper tears and predicting equipment failure up to 90 days in advance. With over 150 converting lines, the company's use of AWS data-analysis technologies has been crucial in maintaining high machine uptime and improving overall production efficiency. This strategic use of technology has enabled Georgia-Pacific to reduce waste and chemical consumption, enhancing its production yields and safety standards. For more insights, you can check the production capacity statistics of tissue paper in North America.

Double A

Double A is a renowned Thai pulp and paper producer, known for its high-quality paper products and sustainable practices. Founded in 1991, the company annually produces 1 million tonnes of paper, reaching customers in over 130 countries. Double A's innovative "Paper from Khan-Na" program involves growing trees on vacant land between rice paddies, ensuring a sustainable source of wood. The company has been engaged with the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) since 2016, highlighting its commitment to environmental sustainability. Double A's global presence and sustainable practices make it one of the best producers in the paper industry.