Paper Making: Materials, Techniques & Processes

How do people make paper out of trees, and why not use something else?

How is paper made from trees?

Paper comes from trees—but what types of trees? Using the right tree is crucial to papermaking, because you want to choose the right paper for the job! Usually, paper is made from softwood or hardwood trees, but most of the wood pulp that makes paper in the U.S. comes from softwood coniferous trees—like spruce, pine, and fir. These types of trees have longer fibers, so when they’re processed at a mill, they produce paper that is strong and durable. So, in many instances, longer fibers=stronger p