Reviews

Paper Source Review

About Paper Source

Paper Source Review

Paper Source is your one-stop shop for every craft, special message, adding a personal touch to everything you do, with a broad collection of papers, custom invitations, gifts, greeting cards, gift wrap, paper craft kits, party supplies, and personalized stationery, and more.

The company has amassed an impressive following of 279k on Instagram and 159.6k likes on Facebook, with feeds that feature the unique stationery products, cards, and more offered by the brand. 

Ready to elevate your stationery collection? Stay tuned into this Paper Source review. We’ll flip through all the details of the brand, its top selling crafty products, highlights from customer testimonials, answers to important FAQs, and more, to help you decide if it’s worth the buy.

Overview of Paper Source

Paper Source Review

Paper Source began with a clear vision: “To spark delight and be the source for fostering more thoughtful connections.” After having traveled the world, Sue Lindstrom was inspired by the variety of artisanal treasures she had collected and thus decided to start her own family run business, focused on creativity.

The brand’s first store was opened in 1983 in Chicago, Illinois, where it is still based today. Today, Paper Source has over 129 locations spread across 25 states in the US, with shipping available across North America, the UK, and Australia. 

But that’s not all there is to Paper Source. The company is most well known for its iconic paper wasp trademark, which is inspired by the way the creature chews bark up and builds a beautiful and intricate nest with it.

Paper Source is also committed to creating with the world in mind. Social responsibility and sustainability lay at the heart of everything the company does. So, it uses recycled paper, mainly makes products in the USA to limit its ecological footprint, works with certified paper mills, and uses more eco-friendly packing materials. 

Now that we’ve penned in the brand’s origins, this Paper Source review will flip to some key highlights to consider. 

Highlights

Paper Source Review
  • Variety of craft and stationery products, ranging from invitations and greeting cards to gifts like art prints and bags
  • Ideal for celebrations
  • Custom and personalized products
  • Sustainably and responsibly produced
  • Mostly crafted domestically 
  • Detailed and unique designs
  • High quality, durable paper
  • Virtual consultations and workshops available
  • Free standard shipping on orders over $60

Paper Source offers a wide number of categories, including but not limited to the following: wedding, craft, greeting cards, stationery, gifts, wrapping paper, party supplies, desk, and more. There are thousands of patterns, colors, shapes, and sizes to choose from, so there is truly something for everyone.

Speaking of, Paper Source allows many of the products to be customized and personalized. Shoppers can add special details to wedding invites, greeting cards, planners, and more. There are also gifts, such as notepads, barware, and stationery that can all be fully customized for the recipient, adding that extra special touch.

Now, there’s no fairness in picking favorites, but this Paper Source review has compiled a list of the most popular options, in no particular order, to give you an idea of what the brand is all about.

Paper Source Products Review

Whether you’re interested in crafts, quirky stationery, or unique gifts, you’ll love what Paper Source has to offer. Up next, we’ll give you the deets on some of the fun, interesting, and most popular options so you can get a feel for the brand’s overall aesthetic. 

Paper Source Pizza Eraser Valentine Card Kit Review

Got a love for crafting (and cheesy foods) that you just can’t erase? We do too, and it’s for the Pizza Eraser Valentine Card Kit. This DIY kit includes pre-cut printed shapes, mini pizza erasers, and glue dots.

Essentially, you’ll be able to fold up the mini card to create a pizza box, attach the little pizza with the glue, and seal it shut with a kiss. Patterned with hearts, green and pink, and pizza itself, this little kit makes 24 cards.

Ideal for sharing with a little one who loves their classmates, crafting, and pizza, the Pizza Eraser Valentine Card Kit retails for $25.

Paper Source Black & White Washi Tape Review

Washi tape is seriously underrated, adding a sweet and unique touch to wherever you attach it. The Black & White Washi Tape is no exception, including 7 rolls of tapes with different patterns and widths, ideal for making borders and embellishments.

These patterns include pink and white hearts, gold dots, black and white chevron, and teal and gold stripes. While the rolls have different thickness to add a little dimension, they are each 6.5 yards long.

Whether you’re taping special pics into a scrapbook, adding a little color to your pencil organizer, or making your own bullet journal, the Black & White Washi Tape will do it all for $15.

Paper Source Metallic Rainbow on Magenta Handmade Paper Review 

If you’re big on unique gifts, you’re likely also interested in unique gift wrapping. Say hello to the Metallic Rainbow on Magenta Handmade Paper. As the name would suggest, this gift wrap features gold foil rainbows, shooting stars, and clouds on bright pink paper.


While the design is whimsical and fun, it’s the recycled paper that really takes the cake. Each sheet is handmade in Nepal from the renewable fibers of the Lokta plant.

Ideal for making the wrapping and unwrapping of any gift a little extra special, the Metallic Rainbow on Magenta Handmade Paper retails for $7 per 20″ x 30″ sheet.

Paper Source DIY Kaleidoscope Kit Review

We have all looked through a kaleidoscope, oohing and aahing at the way light and reflection affect the way we see the world. But, the DIY Kaleidoscope Kit gives kids a chance to create that change themselves, turning this treasured toy into something unique and handmade.


The kit includes a cardboard kaleidoscope as well as different colors and patterns of craft paper, jewels and gems, and washi tape for decorating.

Ideal for learning and for fun, the DIY Kaleidoscope Kit retails for only $20.

Paper Source Custom Embosser Gift Set Review

Paper Source Custom Embosser Gift Set Review

If you know someone who runs a small business or loves to make personalized cards, they will love the Custom Embosser Gift Set. The package comes with a classic style desk embosser as well as a gift certificate for a customized embosser plate. 

The recipient can simply use their unique certificate code included and follow the instructions to create a plate that features different return address styles, monogram styles and more.

Whether you’re gifting it to your friend or a loved one, the Custom Embosser Gift Set retails for $60.

Paper Source Brushed Blooms Wedding Invitation Review

Ready to say “I do”? First, you’ll have to invite a few guests (if you so choose). Make the process seamless and stunning with a fully personalized Brushed Blooms Wedding Invitation

These 5″ x 7″ flat cards feature a simple and luxurious floral border with a watercolor lilac and gold leaf detailing. To customize, follow these simple steps:

  1. Select the quantity
  2. Press the “Personalize” button
  3. Choose your own fonts and sizes
  4. Fill in the important information (names, dates, etc)
  5. Review and approve the design (or make edits)
  6. Select whether or not you’d like envelopes
  7. If so, choose colors and designs
  8. Select whether you’d like return and recipient addresses printed
  9. Review and approve the final design
  10. Add it to your bag!

The more you buy, the more you save, with options for 20-400 Brushed Blooms Wedding Invitation cards retailing for between $75-$992.

Who Is Paper Source For? 

Paper Source Review

Have you got a love for all things stationery? What about adding a special, thoughtful touch to everything you do, whether that’s sweet love notes to your partner or gifts for your very best friends? If so, our Paper Source review has one thing to say: this is the brand for you.


The variety of options is vast, featuring everything from crafty sticker sets to planners and wax seals, making it the ideal option for bullet journals, crafty folk, or anyone looking to add a fun and personal touch with greeting cards, gift wrap, invites, and more.

And if you want to try it all out? You can opt for the Creativity Subscription Box to get those juices flowing, featuring curated crafting projects and supplies, delivered every six months for $75/box.

Paper Source Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

Paper Source Review

If you’re reading this Paper Source review, you’ve likely got a keen interest in quirky stationery and personalized products. And whether you’re shopping for yourself or a gift for someone else, you must be interested in what makes this brand worth the try–this section can help.

To paint a clear picture of the brand and its products, we sourced comments from Yelp, WeddingWire, and Sitejabber. Spoiler alert: the brand has earned its stars with high ratings across the board.

First up: Yelp. On this site, Paper Source earns 3.5/5 stars out of 29 reviews. One shopper explains how much they love the variety of the products:

It’s the cutest craft store filled with every colored paper/card/envelope you could ever think of. Paper source is filled with stationary, crafting pens, stamps, embossers and Knick knacks that will satisfy any creative mind.”

Another customer explained a great experience in a Paper Source store, both with the customer service and the space itself: 

Came in here for the first time. The girl who greeted me was super helpful, excited to be there and gave me a good briefing of the store. The quality of sheet wrapping paper and selection was great. Lots of crafty projects and gifty stuff, as well as journals, note cards and the like.

On WeddingWire, the brand is rated 4.1/5 stars out of 476 reviews, namely for its wedding invites and products. One patron hits three key details, noting the seamless experience, expertly designed products, and overall price and value:

I can’t say enough how easy this experience was and how everything shipped and delivered exactly as ordered. The website was easy to navigate and the free consultation online was super helpful. Best quality for the value.”

Another buyer appreciated the customization options, writing, “Loved my invite and personalizing it was incredibly easy , we changed fonts and colors and printing methods. Really at ease and invitations came fast with no mistakes – staff was nice to work with.

A small pool of 59 reviewers on Sitejabber rated the brand a little unfairly, with a score of 1.39/5 stars. That being said, there are still happy customers, as one shopper reports a great experience with customer care:

I had an issue with one of the Paper Source stores. It was dealt with immediately & equitably with no questions asked. The manager was pleasant & understanding. I am very happy with the resolution. Plus, I love their stores and products.”

As with any business, there are bound to be some negative ratings as well. Some of the reviewers on Sitejabber experience unforeseeable issues with their deliveries. But, the company acts pretty fast and resolves issues as soon as they are reported by customers. 

Is Paper Source Worth It?

Paper Source Review

Paper Source offers a high quality, carefully designed and crafted collection of stationery in all categories. This way, there’s something for everyone, and a number of great ways to elevate your crafts, DIYs, personal journals and planners, as well as add an extra special touch to greeting cards and gifts.

With all that in mind, we deem this brand well worth the buy. On top of all that, there are plenty of ways to save. Below, our Paper Source review will outline the brand’s many promo codes to help you save a little coin and get to crafting.

Paper Source Promotions & Discounts 

Paper Source Review

The thing about stationery is that it can get expensive. Fancy pens, fun stickers, and cute wrapping paper can add up in price. Fortunately, we’ve sourced some Paper Source promo codes so you can get the best pieces at an affordable price:

  • Save 20% on custom stationery orders over $100 with code STATIONARY20
  • Buy 5 greeting cards and save 20%, no code needed
  • Shop 60% off planners, custom planners, and calendars, no code needed
  • Shop up to 50% off in the clearance section
  • Earn a 10% off discount when you sign up for emails
  • Receive free standard shipping on orders over $60

Where to Buy Paper Source

Paper Source Review

Did something in our Paper Source review catch your attention? Fortunately, you can shop the brand at one of its many stores across the US–simply use the Store Locator to find a location near you–or on papersource.com, as well as the following:

  • Nordstrom
  • Amazon
  • Kohl’s
  • The Paper Store
  • Barnes and Noble
  • The Paper Mill Store

FAQ

Paper Source Review

Who owns Paper Source?

At the time of this Paper Source review, the company is owned by Barnes and Noble, which acquired the brand in 2021. 

How many stores does Paper Source have?

While our Paper Source review found that the brand is based in Chicago, Illinois, it has locations all over the US, with a grand total of 129 stores.

Does Paper Source ship internationally?

If you’ve got your eye on something in this Paper Source review, you may be in luck. At this time, the brand ships within the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. Orders take 1-2 business days to process, with average shipping times of 10-15 business days

With duties and taxes included at checkout, orders are shipped through FedEx and are easy to track. While heavier items may incur an additional fee, the company will email before the item is shipped. Here’s the breakdown of international shipping rates:

  • Canada: $40
  • United Kingdom: $40
  • Australia: $45

What is Paper Source’s Shipping Policy?

Paper Source strives to make things as affordable as possible. So, shipping rates depend on your order total, with a number of trackable FedEx delivery options to choose from. Here’s the breakdown of costs and times:

Order TotalStandard (5-12 business days)Ground (1-6 business days)3 Day2 DayNext Day
$0-60$7$10$20$23$30
$60-100$7$11$21$27$35
$100-200$7$14$24$30$40
$200-300$7$16$26$35$45
$300+$7$18$8$40$50

Also, standard shipping is free on orders over $60. It’s also important to note that most orders ship within 3-5 business days, though custom orders may take a little longer and processing times cannot be expedited.

What is Paper Source’s Return Policy?

Not sure which item from this Paper Source review is right for you? Fortunately, the brand offers two options for returns:

  • Within 30 days: items returned within 30 days will be fully refunded to the original form of payment, or a gift card or cheque will be issued. It can take up to 2 billing cycles for the refund to appear
  • Within 31-90 days: items returned within 31-90 days will be refunded in the form of store credit only

Returns are not accepted after 90 days. To ship your items back, repackage the items and attach a shipping label, preferably tracked to ensure you are refunded if the items are lost. Or, you can visit your nearest store with the packing slip and items to be returned.

How to Contact Paper Source

Paper Source Review

We hope you enjoyed our Paper Source review! If you have any further questions about the brand, you can contact them by calling 1-888-727-3711 or by emailing [email protected]


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