--- title: Should you BYOP? (Buy Your Own Paper) description: With the cost of paper being such an important consideration for any print project, can working with a paper mill or distributor save you time and money? image: https://blog.johnroberts.com/hubfs/images/blog/power-of-paper.jpg --- ![Vector Smart Object](https://f.hubspotusercontent30.net/hubfs/9360882/Vector%20Smart%20Object.svg) ![Vector Smart Object](https://f.hubspotusercontent30.net/hubfs/9360882/Vector%20Smart%20Object.svg) ** Menu [ Home ](https://www.johnroberts.com) [Who We Are](https://www.johnroberts.com/about) [What We Do](https://www.johnroberts.com/services) [Contact](https://www.johnroberts.com/contact) [Packaging](https://www.johnroberts.com/packaging) [Envelope Conversion](https://www.johnroberts.com/envelope-conversion) [Request a Sample](https://www.johnroberts.com/sample-request) [Crossmedia](https://www.johnroberts.com/crossmedia) [Blog](https://blog.johnroberts.com) [White Papers](https://www.johnroberts.com/insider#download-whitepapers) [Webinars](https://www.johnroberts.com/insider) [Insider Club](https://www.johnroberts.com/contact-insider-club) [Accreditations](https://www.johnroberts.com/about/accreditations) [Sustainability](https://www.johnroberts.com/about/sustainability) [Customer Center](https://www.johnroberts.com/resources/customer-center) Take a Tour [Careers](https://www.johnroberts.com/jobs) {source_type=html, embed_html=, supported_oembed_types=[photo, video, link, rich]} {source_type=html, embed_html=, supported_oembed_types=[photo, video, link, rich]} {source_type=html, embed_html=, supported_oembed_types=[photo, video, link, rich]} {source_type=html, embed_html=, supported_oembed_types=[photo, video, link, rich]}     ###### September 22, 2016 at 8:15 AM ### Should you BYOP? (Buy Your Own Paper)   The cost of paper is one of the most important considerations for any print project. In fact, paper can account for 50% or more of the total project cost. If your marketing budget is slimmer than ever, you may be tempted to buy your own paper from a paper mill or distributor as an alternative to buying it through your printer. But does buying your own paper really save you time and money? ### Whose responsibility is it? ![power-of-paper.jpg](https://blog.johnroberts.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/blog/power-of-paper.jpg?width=320&name=power-of-paper.jpg)When you purchase your own paper, new concerns suddenly fall into your lap: - **You may run short.** The basis weight of your paper order can have a 5% variance and still be within industry standards. If the basis weight is heavier – e.g., your 60# is actually 62# – you risk running short. - **You may have an overage.** Most mills and distributors don’t accept returns, so any unused paper is yours to keep. That means you’ll need to pay for storage. - **Your cash-to-cash cycle is shorter.** Once you place a paper purchase order, payment typically will be due within 30 days of the paper’s manufacturing date rather than being included in the printer’s invoice. - **Your paper may be “bad.”** Whether the batch is substandard or was damaged in transit, it results in downtime, added expense and possible missed deadlines. To help you make the best decision for your needs, here are a few services your paper supplier should provide: - **Act as a resource **for defining paper grades beyond the basic grading structure. Your paper supplier should help you weigh the pros and cons of different types of paper in a way that’s relevant to your applications. - **Provide paper samples **of various grades, preferably with images or text from your files printed on them. - **Advise you **on how well certain types of paper will perform for your project’s requirements, such as withstanding the [USPS mailing](https://www.johnroberts.com/services/print-mailing-services) process or the extended shelf life of a [catalog](https://www.johnroberts.com/products/catalog-printing). Once you’ve weighed the alternatives, you may find that purchasing paper through your printer is the wisest choice. The printer has a vested interest in ensuring your paper functions well on press, in the bindery and for your end use. Any problems that arise with the paper are the printer’s responsibility and should be transparent to you. We encourage you to partner with your [John Roberts sales rep](https://www.johnroberts.com/contact/meet-our-team) in finding the best paper for your needs – and avoid the headaches!   ### Popular Posts [![Memorial Weekend](https://blog.johnroberts.com/hubfs/Freedom2.png) READ MORE ** ](https://blog.johnroberts.com/memorial-weekend) Print ### [ Memorial Weekend](https://blog.johnroberts.com/memorial-weekend) [![40 Years of Service!](https://blog.johnroberts.com/hubfs/Jerry1a.jpg) READ MORE ** ](https://blog.johnroberts.com/40-years-of-service) News ### [ 40 Years of Service!](https://blog.johnroberts.com/40-years-of-service) [![Nurturing Your Emotional Wellbeing](https://blog.johnroberts.com/hubfs/Green%20space.jpg) READ MORE ** ](https://blog.johnroberts.com/nurturing-your-emotional-wellbeing) News ### [ Nurturing Your Emotional Wellbeing](https://blog.johnroberts.com/nurturing-your-emotional-wellbeing) [![Learn Why Omnichannel Marketing is Trending](https://blog.johnroberts.com/hubfs/PURL.png) READ MORE ** ](https://blog.johnroberts.com/learn-why-omnichannel-marketing-is-trending) Landing Pages ### [ Learn Why Omnichannel Marketing is Trending](https://blog.johnroberts.com/learn-why-omnichannel-marketing-is-trending) [![Leverage These USPS Promo Discounts](https://blog.johnroberts.com/hubfs/Mailbox.jpg) READ MORE ** ](https://blog.johnroberts.com/leverage-these-usps-promo-discounts) Print ### [ Leverage These USPS Promo Discounts](https://blog.johnroberts.com/leverage-these-usps-promo-discounts) [![Direct Mail Is Back](https://blog.johnroberts.com/hubfs/mailing.jpg) READ MORE ** ](https://blog.johnroberts.com/direct-mail-is-back) Direct Mail ### [ Direct Mail Is Back](https://blog.johnroberts.com/direct-mail-is-back) [![Your Guide For Print Buyers On Binding Techniques.](https://blog.johnroberts.com/hubfs/books1.jpg) READ MORE ** ](https://blog.johnroberts.com/a-print-buyers-guide-to-binding-techniques) Print ### [ Your Guide For Print Buyers On Binding Techniques.](https://blog.johnroberts.com/a-print-buyers-guide-to-binding-techniques) [![Celebrating Marie Sidonie, the Heart of Business Administration Day](https://blog.johnroberts.com/hubfs/marie.jpg) READ MORE ** ](https://blog.johnroberts.com/celebrating-marie-sidonie-the-heart-of-business-administration-day) News ### [ Celebrating Marie Sidonie, the Heart of Business Administration Day](https://blog.johnroberts.com/celebrating-marie-sidonie-the-heart-of-business-administration-day)     ###### BLOG POSTS ### Get Future Articles in Your Inbox