Where can I buy paper from?
Sounds like a pretty straight forward question but it may be daunting for some. Do a quick search on Google and you’ll be surprised to see that there are actually quite a number paper suppliers in Singapore. Do I just call and ask? Is there a catalogue that I can view? Do these shops have retail outlets? Are samples free? Can I buy loose sheets?
There are 3 main types of paper suppliers in Singapore.
- Paper for office use or general printing.
- Paper for corporate stationery.
- Paper for marketing collaterals and projects.
Paper for office use or general printing
If you are looking at buying standard A4 or A3 woodfree paper or otherwise known as copier paper. Most bookshops like Popular, Evergreen or Stationery World would carry them. You can usually buy them in a ream of 500 sheets or in boxes of 5 reams. Woodfree paper for copier machines usually comes in 70gsm, 80gsm, 90gsm and 100gsm. Not all bookshops carry the heavier 100gsm. So you may want to drop a call before going down.
Paper for corporate stationery
Corporate stationery covers items like, letterheads, envelopes, business cards, folders, bill books and carbon copy forms. The vast majority of corporate organisations usually use materials like woodfree paper, artpaper, artcard, matt artcard and uncoated card stocks for either most or all their corporate stationery.
Paper suppliers like Mukim, Wan Yeng, Sunway Paper and many others carry a wide range of materials for corporate stationery.
Paper for marketing collateral’s and projects.
Most designers would be interested in this section. When it comes to materials for marketing collateral’s there are plenty of suppliers to choose from. Many would be familiar with RJ Paper but there are others as well. Antalis, Fancy Papers and OVOL (previously known as Spicers) do carry a wide range of materials in different textures, colours and grammages. If you are adventurous, you could look for suppliers from our neighbouring county as well. We have successfully ordered and used paper from Takeo Malaysia. The range of materials and colours available are awesome. Something one would expect from a Japanese company.
General Information
Popular, Evergreen, Stationery World (General Bookstore)
- Copier Paper
- Fancy materials sold in loose sheets
- They do not help to cut or trim paper
Mukim, Wan Yeng, Sunway Paper (Stationery Paper Suppliers)
- Woodfree Paper, NCR Paper, Art Card, White Coated Stocks, White Uncoated Stocks
- Usually sold in packets of large sheets (half ream or full ream)
- Currently Mukim is one of the few that has trimming services available (extra cost please check)
RJ Paper, Antalis, Fancy Papers, Ovol (Specialty Paper Suppliers)
- Fancy card stocks, branded materials, varied colours, varied textures.
- Sold in loose sheets or packets.
- RJ paper, Fancy Papers has trimming services available (extra cost please check)
- Paper swatches are available on site for you to browse through.
Buying Process
The buying process is pretty simple. Most companies like RJ, Fancy and Antalis have a retail front, either onsite or a retail store. There you will be able to browse their catalogues before buying. Do note that the materials you see in the swatches may not necessarily be available in stock. When choosing materials, it would be safer to have a backup choice. Note down the material name and grammage on a piece of paper if you have to.
Materials can be bought either as a whole sheet or you could pay a little extra to get it trimmed to the size you want. If you are planning to trim the material, do remember to add a little extra margin just in case if you need to bleed your artwork.
The paper is usually wrapped in brown kraft paper to protect it during transportation. If it’s a large sheet, they would usually roll it up for easy transportation.
I hope this post is helpful. If you have any feedback, please feel free to drop me an email and I would be happy to assist you.
