Paper Source

The store is extremely geared towards invitations, whether they be for weddings or otherwise. I expected a larger selection of paper based on the reviews others had posted. About 30 different kinds of paper in various forms, including envelopes, card stocks and lighter weight papers from index card size to 8.5×11. Paper outlets can be larger and have more supply.
The staff was very helpful in answering my questions, however. I asked mostly about inkjet vs laser and other printing options. Make sure you know what you’re going to be printing with before you go to the store. Not a super impressive store, but definitely helpful staff.
I felt like the paper was a little pricy. Overall, I had a positive experience despite the fact that I was underwhelmed by the selection.

Paper Source is where those of us with the inevitable need to craft used to turn. A: Urban spots tend to frown on the little womenz (or, really, anyone) busting out with the chain saws, arc welders, glass-​blowing, or pneumatics, just for home-​crafting giggles. B: back before Pinterest gave us the opportunity to go thermonuclear on creating, without needing a local supplier to simultaneously turn the key, it was actually hard to find «how-​to» and materials. Paper Source was an awesome place where you’d find exactly what you needed and about a dozen other «had to have» supplies.
I remember spending a benji or two here to learn to fabricate a few hundred 3D cardstock flowers to make a long, weird sort of wrapped /​folded painted paper flower garland & arrangement to (coincidentally, not per class marketing) give as engagement gift to a great friend. Anyway, Paper Source (at that time) was all fairly comfy, out of the ordinary, and ‘Yes, many of these products are expensive, but that’s because they’re quality, and we’ve tested them and believe they’re awesome. We have no doubt you’ll love them too. They’ll stand the test of time.‘
Not ‘This is just one more Rom-​Com fra-​fra pseudo-​universe in rotation around to-​be-​marrieds, since we carry the same standard invitation crap carried everywhere else, focusing on matching what everybody’s got, just for 150% more, price-​wise because our shop has molding and lovely windows.’
That was definitely the tone I got when I went by recently to restock on a few hard to find items and to ask about some newly available supplies. It used to be about making awesome stuff, with awesome stuff, not about exclusively matching engagement /​wedding twaddle already purchased /​printed elsewhere. That’s definitely a niche — fair enough — just pointing out that it wasn’t what drew me here and they used to be better than that.
If you’re crap-​booking out of this place, you are… well, you’re burning cash, as there’s not much that even register on the ‘oooooh, must have!’ meter, these days.
The shop is well-​styled, well-​turned out. But… just…meh. Doubt I’ll be back.

I’ve been to this location a few times, browsing for ink, stamps, gifts, et cetera. Everything is a bit pricey, but I expected that since stationery and scrapbooking aren’t cheap hobbies.
It would be great if you could buy one, JUST ONE, envelope or piece of stationery paper — but you can’t. In a way this store doesn’t seem to be encouraging me to create personal, unique correspondences. I don’t need ten envelopes of the one color that would match my handmade thank you card to one person, and I don’t do this often enough to have a bunch of envelopes taking up space in my apartment. So, stars deducted for that.
Customer service is a toss up. Sometimes I’ve had courteous, knowledgeable salespeople, and other times I’ve felt like I’ve inconvenienced them by trying to buy something.

I chose Paper Source to do my wedding invitations after being a customer for years. I was so very disappointed with their service. Namely, the order came in with no return envelopes. They hadn’t even checked the order first before handing it over to my mother, and we discovered it after the calligrapher started addressing. They also included no address guide, which in my experience (as someone who has done calligraphy for many weddings) is always included with the invitations. Having the wrong order was bad enough as we needed to get the invitations out that same week. Add to that, we waited five days for the new shipment to come in. No rushed service, no courier (which I asked about.) The store blames Crane, Crane blames the store and was shocked that nobody checked the order when it came in. All I know is there was not a sense of urgency to fix their mistake, and there was no explanation as to what happened to the missing envelopes. I don’t even recall hearing a sincere apology.
I was looking forward to using Paper Source all of my table cards, place cards, and even some tokens and wrapping paper for my gifts to the wedding party. Sadly I don’t think I should give them my business after such a negative experience. Perhaps Boylston Street needs the boost after last week’s events.
I would stick to a small, local boutique for invitations with a more personal, and careful approach. At the end of the day, Paper Source felt like a chain and made very amateur mistakes. For an event as important as a wedding, I did not feel that the store cared much about the most basic details.

Tatsu I may have risked his masculinity by reviewing the Paper Source, and I’ll agree, but said sacrifice was worth its weight in Valentine’s gold.
The tiny cards were a smash, and the hearfelt gifts (and gifted felt hearts) had her swooning.
Even better, the prior indifference by the staff has metamorphosed into a question-​answering, change-​making, «Can-​we-​wrap-​that-​for-​you?» powerhouse. Well played, Paper Source; well played.

This is regarding the customer service at this location.
I called ahead of time to see if they had a specific date book in a specific color so I wouldn’t have to drive over for no reason in a zipcar. The woman over the phone said they didn’t have the one in the larger size but they had a smaller version in that color. I asked her to set it aside for me and I would be over in 15 minutes to purchase it.
Arrived 15 miutes later, asked about the book I reserved. it was not reserved. What the hell.
The woman showed me the «smaller option» but it was a completely different book style and the size of my palm.
I bought the «curry» colored book (not pretty) for $ 18.04. Turns out the color I was looking for is online and costs $ 14.98 and with shipping it’s only 22.95. Couldn’t they have said it’s available online and only for 4 dollars more with shipping?!
I’m frustrated that they were so short with me and very entitled. I wish I had just gone online and not dealt with the very unhelpful staff there. Yes, it’s only 20 bucks but I’m pretty sure I’m going to throw this curry thing away and buy the other one online.
I love the products at Paper Source and I’ve never had a problem before. The Boylston Street employees seem a lot more friendly and helpful. I sure won’t be going to this location again.

Loved the variety this store offered — The staff were super-​friendly. This store just made me happy! Great gifts and paper products. I had to get a watercolor calendar, some cute notepads, and tin pencil holders. Really loved the special papers — would make a great backdrop for pics, etc. Wish I lived in town so I could take advantage of the special workshops they offer. It will be the first place I go back to when I return!

Let me start my review by saying I love the Paper Source chain. They have such a cute collection of cards, wrapping paper, pens and card making materials.
The Mass Ave location is not the biggest Paper Source store I’ve been to. I actually really think their Boylston Street location has a much better card selection. I find shopping at this location kind of crowded. I am always saying ‘excuse me’ to see something that interests me.
The service at this Paper Source is okay. I feel like the cashiers are a little slow (I’m not sure if it’s their fault or it’s that the patrons are also slow and indecisive).
Overall it’s nice to have a Paper Source to go to on this side of the Charles, however if I happen to be in Boston proper I will hands down choose the Boylston street store over this location.

I adore the Paper Source and and have been a frequent at the one in Bellevue, Washington. There is something so magical and quaint about this particular store. Sure, it is much smaller than the one in WA, yet precisely because of its location, I feel like a lot of its commercialism is washed away. You no longer have rich people ordering wedding invitations from catalogs, rather, you have family, children, and simply people with a love for exquisitely made paper.
Despite its small size, there doesn’t seem to be anything missing. There is a dazzling selection of Japanese, Thai, and Indian paper, cards, gift wraps, stamps, and gifts.
Place is super organized, and I love the interior design. Staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Oh, and during one visit I left my water bottle there. They kept it for me. I was super impressed with their professionalism!
GO VISIT!

This is the cutest paper store! Great for traditional paper (cards, crafts, calendars, etc) but also the perfect spot for a small birthday present. I loved wandering around and looking at the great array here — the buyer obviously knows what he/​she is doing!
One down side: employees didn’t give me even one glance until I was ready to check out. Would have at least appreciated a greeting…

How do I love thee Paper Source? Let me count the ways.
I love thee for thy friendly and knowledgeable staff who are always willing to help with an idea or a demonstration.
I love thee for thy large and varied selection of paper, envelopes, stamps, inks, cards and gifts.
I love thee for always having what I need when I can find it nowhere else.
But most of all I love thee for the inspiration that starts to flow as soon as I walk in the door.

I have a love/​hate relationship with this place. I LOVE everything in the store and HATE that I always spend so much!
Last month I went to buy one rubber stamp and an ink pad and left with two stamps, the ink pad, some magic dust, and this glorified hair dryer that heats the magic dust and leaves the stamp looking incredibly beautiful and perfect!
I have no self-​control when it comes to paper and crafts.

I avoided going in Papersource for a long time because of my self-​hating yuppie-​phobia, but planning my wedding changed all that. I love stationary. Although prices are high at Papersource, they really aren’t high at all compared to other local vendors like Bob Slate or the Coop, even some online ones. And in my case, the proliferation of colors and options and great stamps inspired me to do a lot more of the crafting of my invitations and such myself, rather than ordering them.
I don’t know if I saved money, but I had a good time and everything I got there was beautiful.
I bought some Christmas wrapping paper there they other day though, and that I regret. At $ 8 a roll. nobody really needs wrapping paper that nice.

Absolutely, love this store! I always find what I’m looking for: printable invitations, birthday cards, fun/​funky gifts, wrapping papers, stamps, fancy pens. You can customize as little or as much as you want.
Yes, it’s a little pricey but it’s high quality. I love how the service is helpful and not obnoxious; they allow you to leisurely browse.

My repository for all things awesome, crafty, cute, and creative.
I’ve been a regular here lately for all things wedding but also love their vast selection of perfect handmade cards and small gifts. I can’t say enough about how much I love PaperSource!
Pricey, yes but sometimes I’m willing to splurge. Plus they always have an abundance of items on sale/​clearance. The staff is insanely nice at this location too.

I have looked for bookbinding waxed thread high and low — Pearl, AC Moore, Michael’s, Utrecht, etc. The only place I’ve found it is Paper Source. At the other places I looked, they had exactly one brand, a very thin, flimsy white thread. The Paper source has an entire basket of waxed threads in different colors and weights (from what I could tell). This alone was enough to make me a fan, but I was also very impressed with their cardstock and envelope selection as well as their fine paper selection. I picked up some stationery from the half-​off table and was very happy with my purchase — not only were the cards good quality, but the envelopes were, too (if you buy a lot of these boxed sets, you may notice, like myself, that the envelopes are sometimes really crappy).
I’m a paper connoisseur — this is what I care about — but I can see how the niche cachet wouldn’t satisfy everyone. They do sell a tad too many knick-​knacks for my taste, and everything is expensive, but that’s par for the course for most higher-​end craft stores I’ve been to. I wouldn’t recommend shopping exclusively here for a big paper project, unless you have a lot more loose cash than I do. But for the extra details you’ll need to pull something together, this is the place.

If you’re looking for stationery-​making supplies (like card making stuff around the holidays or any other time), then Paper Source is where you need to go. First thing when you walk in the door you’re overwhelmed with all of the color and beauty. If you have the time, spend a couple minutes browsing before you start on your project, because the variety of materials and prints can be inspiring.
They have a beautiful selection of papers of all kinds. Everything from handmade papers to plain colored papers in packages. They also have gorgeous patterned papers and scrapbook-​style papers. They have paper-​craft accessories, like intricately cut stamps, inks, and shaped scissors. They also have beautiful ready-​made cards. Ooh, and envelopes of nearly every color! Good for so many uses.
Just beware, a craft project here can easily approach $ 100 if you’re not careful. But the experience and the product are definitely worth it. Just make your decisions with intention.

I’m going to risk my masculinity here by reviewing Paper Source for the sake of holiday cheer.
I can’t think of a more chick place in all of Cambridge. I scanned the reviews, I am the second or third male reviewer. Fine. At least I’m not Male F.T.R.
Perhaps Kate’s Paperie sets the standard, but they are in New York. Well, maybe they should merge and make a lezzo special edition paper in solidarity of gay marriage, proceeds to benefit the fight against Prop 8.
Seriously, if you are delight in the package (and google Japanese packaging, because it is seriously the best and has a lot to do with paper), you should wrap all your Christmas gifts with your feminine touch and the material from Paper Source.
My X Chromosome told me to tell you.

I love pretty paper things.
I don’t like looking at the price tags here.
Some of the people who work at these kinds of stores are a little… snooty?
Most of the people who shop here are better than at the B’line store.
I think you can find better prices elsewhere.
I think you can find nicer people elsewhere.
I think you can find lots of pretty useless things here.
I think you will want all of them if you spend too long milling around.
Beware… Papersource…

This isn’t my favorite Paper Source (It’s a little cramped & the one in Brookline is a bit more stocked) BUT it did it’s job for my wedding-​related purposes. I had purchased some invitations from Wedding Paper Divas but I wanted to get some thing to dress up the outer envelop & something to hold all my interior cards (Directions, Reception Info, Rules & Information)
I turned to Paper Source because it’s right by the Porter T and I thought it would certainly have all the fixings to tie my invitations together. I needed an interesting stamp, colored ink pad, and Chocolate A6 envelope for my wedding invitations and POOF — Paper Source had them all. They also had some other items of interest like wax letter sealer kits, stamps, and wedding place cards.
In my search for wedding invitation flair, I also managed to make away with some Chocolate Brown place cards that caught my eye and some corresponding gold pens.
I imagine if you’re really creative, this would be a great place to go to purchase all the things you need to make your wedding invitations incredibly personalized. However, it’s also great when you’re like me and have purchased printed invitation and just want to add some flair.
The customer service here was awesome and with very little effort, my invitations turned out lovely, Paper Source really helped pull the invitations together. I was surprised that they had envelopes & stamp ink that matched the colors in my invitation!
My only grip is that the stickers (to seal your invitation) are ridiculously expensive. $ 0.40 for a sticker? They’re stickers. Not crack rock.