“I can’t get my paper for 12 weeks? And it’s going to cost 12% more than my last order?”

Buying paper has become a convoluted process, putting stress on inventory management, procurement, and vendor-client relationships.

The paper industry is experiencing a confluence of factors, a perfect storm of negative impacts. First, there’s the supply side. Globally, paper mills have been closing for years, reducing sources for many standard printing and publishing grades. Some mills have also converted from commercial printing grades to packaging grades, further reducing overall paper supply.