(AF&PA), U.S. printing and writing paper shipments in July, while inventories increased 3% from June. Major categories reported reduced shipments, although coated freesheet remained one of the stronger-performing grades with a 6% decrease.��

Shipment data remains an important metric for understanding paper market conditions and is widely referenced throughout the printing industry. However, shipments represent only one part of the picture. Capacity reductions, mill conversions, operating rates, trade policies and supply chain shifts all play a significant role in determining paper availability and pricing. 

In many industries, lower demand would normally lead to lower prices. In the paper industry, however, the story is more complicated. Capacity reductions, mill conversions, trade policies and shifting supply chains continue to reshape the market. 

Supply Is Changing��

Printing and writing paper markets continue to evolve as customer needs, media consumption habits and product mix shift over time. According to the American Forest & Paper Association, printing-writing capacity has declined over the past decade as paper producers have adjusted operations to align with changing market conditions. 

Some mills have closed, while others have converted machines to produce packaging grades instead of printing papers. In fact, AF&PA reports that U.S. printing-writing capacity fell 13.9% in 2025 alone, even as operating rates improved from 76.8% to 82.8%. 

Because production capacity has been reduced in step with changing market conditions, certain paper grades continue to operate at relatively healthy utilization rates. As a result, pricing has remained more stable than many buyers might expect. 

In short, reduced demand does not automatically translate into lower paper costs when production capacity is also being reduced.��

Tariffs Are Creating New Uncertainty��

Trade policy has become one of the biggest wild cards for the paper industry in 2026. A . Brazil is an important supplier of certain paper products used in the North American market, and these tariffs have the potential to tighten supply and increase costs.��

At the same time, . While the impact varies by product category, some paper and printing-related materials fall within the scope of these actions.��

Because Canada remains one of the largest suppliers of paper products to the United States, even targeted tariffs can create uncertainty throughout the supply chain. 

For print buyers, these developments highlight the importance of planning ahead and maintaining flexibility when selecting paper grades and specifications. 

Mill Conversions Continue to Reduce Printing Paper Capacity��

Another factor affecting the market is the ongoing conversion of paper machines to packaging production. One notable example is of its Riverdale mill machine from uncoated freesheet production to containerboard production.��

Moves like this are becoming increasingly common across the industry. As packaging markets continue to expand, some manufacturers are reallocating resources toward containerboard and other packaging grades. 

International Paper also completed its , further supporting its packaging business and expanding production capabilities.��

These changes reinforce a longer-term industry trend: available printing paper production capacity continues to contract even as the market adjusts to changing demand patterns. That dynamic can keep certain grades relatively tight and help support prices. 

Print Buyers Are Adapting��

Print buyers continue to adjust their purchasing habits in response to economic pressures and rising costs. 

According to a , nearly 59% of print providers said customers are reducing print usage because of rising costs, including postage, labor and tariffs. More than half reported that customers are seeking additional guidance when planning projects.��

At the same time, buyers are shortening lead times, requesting faster turnarounds and becoming more budget conscious. 

This creates an opportunity for printers to provide strategic guidance rather than simply fulfill orders. Paper selection, format changes, page counts, quantities and distribution strategies can all influence overall project costs and return on investment. 

Postal Changes Add Another Variable��

Paper costs are only one part of the equation. USPS implemented new market-dominant prices and mailing standards on July 12, introducing several changes that can affect direct mail programs, catalogs and periodicals.��

Adjustments to Periodicals pricing, entry requirements and weight thresholds may influence decisions about format, mailing strategy and production specifications. For organizations that rely heavily on mailed communications, postal planning and paper planning increasingly need to happen together. 

What Print Buyers Should Do Next��

The biggest lesson from today’s paper market is simple: don’t assume changing demand patterns will automatically lead to lower costs or easier sourcing. 

Successful print programs in today’s environment require: 

• Planning projects earlier ��

• Reviewing paper alternatives before production begins ��

• Monitoring potential tariff impacts ��

• Coordinating mailing and production decisions ��

• Working with an experienced print partner who understands market conditions ��

Factors such as page count, basis weight, quantities, format and mailing strategy can have a significant impact on the overall cost and effectiveness of a print project. As supply chains continue to evolve, proactive planning remains the best way to avoid unexpected cost increases, paper substitutions and production delays. 

Need Help Navigating Today’s Paper Market?��

If you’re evaluating an upcoming print project and want guidance on paper selection, production planning or mailing strategies, the team at 91����.com is here to help. Our print experts stay on top of market trends to help you make informed decisions and keep your projects moving forward with confidence. 

Ready to start the conversation? Get in touch with us to connect with a print specialist and discuss your next project.��

The post Paper Market Update Sept. 2026: How Changing Demand Affects Paper Costs first appeared on 91����.com.

Across the printing industry, there will always be pressure to compare prices. But long-term partnerships are rarely built on cost alone. Organizations stay with printing partners they trust. They stay with printers that help them navigate challenges, adapt to changing markets and deliver consistent results year after year. 

That is where the difference between a vendor and a true printing partner becomes clear.��

Beyond Printing: Becoming Part of the Team��

The Printing Impressions article highlights the importance of becoming an extension of a customer’s business rather than simply fulfilling orders. That philosophy aligns closely with how 91����.com approaches every customer relationship.  

We believe great printing partnerships begin with understanding a customer’s goals, challenges and long-term strategy. Whether we’re working with magazine publishers, book publishers, educational organizations or commercial print buyers, our role is not limited to producing printed products. We help customers determine the best production path, identify opportunities for efficiency and solve challenges before they become problems. 

This consultative approach allows us to support customers through changing circulation demands, shifting paper markets, evolving distribution needs and new technology requirements. Rather than reacting to issues, we anticipate them. 

Scale and Flexibility Are Crucial��

One of the strongest ways a printer becomes difficult to replace is by providing capabilities that customers cannot easily find elsewhere. 

91����.com’s production platform is built around scale, flexibility and redundancy. As an expert printer with more than 90 years of experience, 91����.com supports projects ranging from short-run digital applications to large-scale offset print runs. Multiple production facilities, standardized workflows and shared best practices help provide consistency, efficiency and reliability across customer programs.  

For customers, that means greater confidence. If production schedules shift or program requirements grow, they have a partner capable of adapting alongside them. The ability to align projects with the right equipment, technology and team gives customers flexibility without sacrificing consistency. That’s a significant advantage in an industry where deadlines are often non-negotiable. 

Solving More Than One Problem��

Another key point from the Printing Impressions article is that valuable printers simplify workflows rather than creating additional complexity. We believe this is essential to becoming an irreplaceable partner. 

Many print providers focus primarily on manufacturing. 91����.com takes a broader view by supporting customers across the full lifecycle of their programs. In addition to commercial printing, our capabilities include finishing and binding, mailing and distribution and interactive digital editions, to name a few. These services can be coordinated within a single workflow, reducing handoffs and improving visibility throughout the process. 

For customers managing complex print programs, fewer touchpoints often translate into greater efficiency, reduced risk and improved results.  

Expertise Creates Confidence��

Technology matters. Equipment matters. But expertise may be the most important differentiator of all. The article emphasizes the value of knowledgeable teams that understand customer challenges and provide meaningful guidance.  

91����.com’s printing experts, customer service teams and sales professionals bring decades of experience to customer programs. Their role extends well beyond order entry and job tracking. They help customers navigate specifications, production options, timelines and logistics strategies that support their business goals. 

When customers know they can rely on experienced professionals to guide important decisions, relationships deepen. Trust becomes harder to replace than any piece of equipment. 

Consistency Builds Loyalty��

Perhaps the biggest lesson from the article is that customers stay where they consistently find value. A single successful project may win a job, but sustained performance earns long-term loyalty. At 91����.com, we view every project as an opportunity to strengthen that trust. 

Consistent quality, proactive communication, flexible production solutions and long-term partnership support all contribute to a better customer experience. Those qualities help transform a transactional relationship into a strategic one. That’s why when our customers partner with us, they tend to stick around. 

The Bottom Line��

The question posed by Printing Impressions is an important one: What makes a printing company impossible to replace? The answer isn’t lower pricing. It isn’t a single piece of equipment. It isn’t even one successful job. 

An irreplaceable printing partner becomes intertwined with the success of its customers. They provide expertise when challenges arise, flexibility when needs change and reliability when deadlines matter most. That is the standard 91����.com strives to meet every day. 

By bringing together decades of��experience, a connected production platform, integrated services and a commitment to long-term relationships, we aim to be more than a printer. We aim to be the trusted partner customers can count on for years to come.��If you’re ready to learn more, let’s get in touch today.

* This article was developed with assistance from OpenAI’s GPT 5.5 large language AI model.

The post Why a True Printing Partner Is Impossible to Replace: 91����.com’s Perspective first appeared on 91����.com.

Start With the Real Goal: Lower Total Delivered Cost 

It’s easy to focus on postage alone, but the smarter metric is total delivered cost. That includes: 

• Postage or carrier fees��

• Prep and handling��

• Freight and entry��costs��

• Waste from undeliverable records��

• The��cost of delays or inconsistent��timing��

The most effective mailing strategies reduce cost across��all��these areas. In many cases, the biggest savings do not come from��promotions;��they’re��impacted��more significantly by how��the mail is prepared and where it enters the postal network.��In simple terms, better��logistics��equals��better pricing.��

The Foundation: Presort, Clean Data and Postal Readiness 

Before moving into specialty programs, it is critical to get the basics right. Creating mail files that are clean and properly structured sets your entire mailing operation up for success. At a minimum, strong mailing programs include: 

• Address validation and standardization��

• National Change of Address updates��

• Duplicate removal��

• Proper segmentation for presort��

��
Presort is��a key cost driver, but it is important to understand what is and is not within your control. USPS sets strict requirements for how many pieces must go to a specific location to qualify for deeper presort levels, so most mailers cannot improve��their��presort simply by cleaning up or adjusting their lists.

In practice, the primary way to achieve better presort rates is by��participating��in a commingling program, where your mail is combined with other jobs to meet those thresholds and unlock��additional��savings.��

Program 1: Commingle for Letter-Size Mailings 

Commingling is when multiple mailers combine their pieces into a single, larger mailing. That combined volume allows access to better presort tiers and workshare discounts. Commingling is often used for: 

• Smaller individual mailings that would not qualify for deeper discounts on their own��

• Programs that can tolerate shared scheduling windows��

• Mailers looking for incremental savings without changing format��

Program 2: Comail to Unlock Bigger Presort Discounts 

Comail follows the same concept, but it is designed for flat-size publications. 

Instead of mailing one publication by itself, multiple pieces are combined into a shared pool. This increases total mail volume, which allows the group to qualify for deeper presort discounts. From an operational standpoint: 

• Mail files are��combined into a shared pool��

• Pieces are presorted together��

• Final pallets are built for optimized distribution��

This approach works best when mailing flat-size publications such as magazines or��catalogs.��

When Comail is a strong fit 

• Flat-size pieces that��benefit��from volume-based discounts��

• Programs with predictable schedules��

• Mailers��comfortable aligning production to shared mailing pools��

In many cases, the added scale results in lower postage and more efficient entry into the��mailstream.��

Program 3: Drop Shipping With USPS 

In mailing terms, drop shipping refers to entering mail deeper into the postal network rather than introducing it locally. 

Instead of sending all mail through a single origin point, mail is transported closer to where it will be delivered. This reduces the amount of work USPS needs to perform, which leads to discounts. This is often called destination entry or Plant Verified Drop Shipping. 

Key advantages include: 

• Lower postage through workshare discounts��

• Faster in-home delivery in many cases��

• More predictable delivery timing��

This approach becomes more valuable as postal pricing increasingly rewards operational efficiency. The closer mail is entered to its destination, the greater the potential savings.

It is important to evaluate each job carefully by coordinating with your presort provider to confirm whether it��qualifies for��savings, especially as recent rising freight costs have reduced the overall value of drop shipping in some cases.��

How to Choose the Best-Fit Program for Your Project 

Each program has strengths. The right choice depends on your specific mailing profile. Use these questions as a starting point: 

1. What format are you mailing?��

• Letter-size: evaluate��commingling��

• Flat-size: evaluate��comail��

• Products or kits: evaluate fulfillment and carrier options��

2. What is your volume?��

Higher volume increases eligibility for deeper presort levels, while lower volume may benefit from pooled programs. 

3. How flexible is your schedule?��

Pooling programs require alignment with shared timelines. Independent entry offers more control, but may limit savings. 

4. How clean is your data?��

Strong data unlocks discounts, while weak data increases costs and risk. 

In many cases, the best results come from combining multiple strategies rather than relying on a single solution. 

How 91����.com Helps You Save While Protecting Quality and Timelines 

Once the right strategy is identified, execution becomes the next critical step. That is where a print and mailing partner adds value. 91����.com approaches mailing as a fully integrated part of the production process, not a separate service at the end. 

Some of our capabilities include: 

• Presort optimization and address hygiene��assistance��

• Comail��and��commingle��program participation��

• Plant Verified Drop Shipping and destination entry planning��

• Accurate postage estimating and test file analysis��

• Tracking and visibility throughout the��mailstream��

• Assistance��applying for discounts and��promotions��

• Scheduling support to align production with mailing windows��

The goal is to match each project to the most effective mix of programs while��maintaining��quality, accuracy, and on-time delivery.��

Explore Postal Savings With 91����.com’s Mailing Options 

Navigating mailing best practices and postal regulations can be difficult, but we’re here to help. Our team can help you find savings and put together a personalized mailing program that fits your timeline and budget.  

Ready to learn more? Get in touch with us today. 

* This article was developed with assistance from OpenAI’s GPT 5.5 large language AI model.

The post Specialty Mailing Programs: How��to Save on Shipping first appeared on 91����.com.

In a and , researchers found that commercial printers across the U.S., Germany and Japan are adopting hybrid production models to serve a broader range of customer needs more efficiently and creatively.

You can read Printing Impression’s article on the “AND Era” here:

91����.com’s Approach to the “AND Era”

At 91����.com, we understand the value of combining offset and digital printing; not as competing technologies, but as complementary tools. Our customers span a wide spectrum of industries and project types, from long-run catalogs and books to short-run, personalized publications. Meeting that range of needs requires smart application of both offset and digital capabilities.

Offset Printing for Quality and Scale

For high-volume jobs that demand consistency, color accuracy, and the lowest cost per piece, 91����.com’s offset production remains the gold standard. Whether you’re producing thousands of magazines or a complex book project, our offset presses deliver the speed, reliability and quality you expect.

Digital Printing for Personalization and Speed

For lower-quantity, quick-turn or variable-data projects, our digital presses shine. We use digital print technology to help customers produce on-demand versions of their publications, test marketing content or target niche audiences with personalized messaging, all while reducing waste and optimizing inventory.

Unified Workflows and Smart Integration

We’ve invested in workflow automation and developed intelligent scheduling systems that allow us to fully leverage our offset and digital capabilities. That means better turnaround times, fewer production headaches and a more responsive service experience for our customers.

Explore 91����.com’s Offset and Digital Capabilities

The “AND Era” isn’t about choosing between digital or offset – it’s about using both more strategically. At 91����.com, we’re proud to offer the capabilities, expertise and technology infrastructure to help our customers thrive in this new phase of printing.If you’re looking for a print partner that understands how to blend craftsmanship with innovation, let’s talk.

* This article was developed with assistance from OpenAI’s GPT-4o large language AI model.

The post The “AND Era:” Combining the Power of Offset and Digital Printing first appeared on 91����.com.