Paper Outlook — Another Notch in the Market's Belt

"If you look on the margins, you see a minority reporting that the supply has changed. Many more are reporting that paper is tighter," the NAPL economist adds.

But it's not just Paparozzi who is noticing the change in availability. Both Hayes and Creel report a tighter paper market when compared to 1999. "In comparison with last year, the paper market has definitely tightened. Paper is available, but lead times tend to be longer, machine trim is more of an issue and the mills are less likely to accept orders that are not a strategic fit," Hayes reveals.