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Coated paper is one of the largest specialty paper categories in the United States, supplying magazines, catalogs, premium book publishing, retail packaging, labels, and corporate printing. The US coated paper industry has consolidated significantly over the past two decades — many famous mills have closed, converted to packaging grades, or merged — but a focused group of producers continues to lead the market with strong domestic capacity.
This guide profiles the leading coated paper manufacturers operating in the United States in 2026, including coated freesheet, coated groundwood, and specialty coated grade producers. Buyers evaluating coated paper supply will find the strongest options consolidated here.
How This List Was Compiled
Selection criteria emphasized active US coated paper production capacity, brand recognition in the printing and publishing markets, and a documented track record of supplying coated grades to commercial printers, publishers, and packaging converters. The list mixes domestic producers with the US operations of major international groups that maintain meaningful US manufacturing presence.
The Top 10 Coated Paper Manufacturers
1. Sappi North America
Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts (corporate office in Portland, Maine)
Established: 1854 (Westbrook Mill heritage); Sappi acquired 1994
Sappi North America is one of the largest coated paper producers in the United States. Their flagship Somerset Mill in central Maine — set on 2,500 acres — is an integrated pulping and papermaking operation producing graphic papers, packaging and label papers, and bleached chemical pulp. Their Westbrook Mill in Maine traces its heritage to 1854 as the manufacturing hub of the S.D. Warren Company, an early pioneer in coated printing papers. Sappi’s Cloquet Mill in Minnesota produces premium graphic papers including McCoy, Opus, and Flo, plus the LusterCote label paper. Sappi is widely recognized as the leading premium coated paper brand in North America.
Key products: McCoy, Opus, Flo, LusterCote, premium coated freesheet, coated label paper, packaging papers
Industries served: Magazine and catalog publishing, premium printing, point-of-purchase displays, label converting
2. WestRock Company
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia
Established: 2015 (formed by merger of MeadWestvaco and RockTenn)
WestRock is one of the largest paper and packaging companies in the world, employing over 50,000 people globally with major US production. Their coated paperboard operations supply folding cartons, bleached paperboard, and coated recycled paperboard for consumer packaging applications. WestRock’s coated paperboard plays a dominant role in US food, beverage, healthcare, and consumer packaged goods markets. While their core focus has shifted toward coated paperboard rather than coated printing paper, they remain one of the largest US coated paper producers when measured by total tonnage.
Key products: Coated SBS paperboard, coated recycled paperboard, folding cartons, bleached paperboard
Industries served: Food and beverage, healthcare, beauty and personal care, e-commerce packaging
3. International Paper Company
Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee
Established: 1898
International Paper is one of the largest pulp and paper companies in the world and operates extensive US production capacity. While their primary focus has shifted toward containerboard and packaging, IP retains coated paper and coated paperboard production through their packaging division. Their scale provides supply consistency for high-volume commercial buyers.
Key products: Coated paperboard, coated bleached board for packaging, specialty coated grades
Industries served: Packaging, retail, consumer goods, industrial converters
4. Domtar Corporation
Headquarters: Fort Mill, South Carolina
Established: 1848
Domtar produces uncoated freesheet, specialty papers, and packaging papers from its US mill network. While their core production is uncoated freesheet, they offer coated grades through specialty product lines and supply commercial printing converters across North America. Domtar’s scale and supply reliability are among the strongest in the US paper industry.
Key products: Specialty coated grades, business and printing papers, packaging papers
Industries served: Commercial printing, publishing, packaging converters
5. Twin Rivers Paper Company
Headquarters: Madawaska, Maine
Established: Acquired and renamed 2010 (mill heritage older)
Twin Rivers Paper operates the Madawaska Mill, producing specialty coated and uncoated papers including lightweight coated grades for catalogs and inserts, label and packaging papers, and specialty publishing papers. Their focus on specialty grades — rather than commodity coated paper — makes them a relevant choice for buyers who need non-standard basis weights, custom finishes, or specialty publishing grades. Twin Rivers is one of the few remaining specialty coated paper mills in the northeastern US.
Key products: Lightweight coated paper (LWC), specialty coated grades, custom basis weights
Industries served: Catalog publishing, magazine inserts, specialty book printing, label converting
6. Glatfelter Corporation
Headquarters: York, Pennsylvania
Established: 1864
Glatfelter is a long-established specialty paper manufacturer producing engineered materials and specialty papers including coated grades for premium book publishing, specialty printing, and engineered material applications. Their long history in engineered specialty papers makes them a relevant supplier for buyers needing non-standard coated stock with specific functional properties.
Key products: Coated specialty papers, engineered specialty grades, book publishing papers
Industries served: Premium book publishing, specialty printing, engineered material applications
7. Clearwater Paper Corporation
Headquarters: Spokane, Washington
Established: Spun off from Potlatch Corp. in 2008
Clearwater Paper is a premier independent supplier of paperboard packaging products to North American converters, with significant US production capacity. Their paperboard products include coated grades supplying sustainable packaging solutions for consumer goods and food service applications. All their products are made using fiber from responsibly-managed forests. Clearwater is a strong choice for buyers who need US-domestic coated paperboard with sustainability documentation.
Key products: Coated paperboard, bleached paperboard, sustainable packaging grades
Industries served: Consumer goods packaging, food service, retail, e-commerce
8. Resolute Forest Products
Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec (extensive US operations)
Established: 2007 (formed by AbitibiBowater merger)
Resolute operates significant US paper production capacity in addition to their Canadian mills. Their portfolio includes coated and uncoated paper grades, and they supply commercial printers and publishers across North America. While much of their newsprint capacity has been converted or reduced, their coated grade production remains active.
Key products: Coated freesheet, coated specialty grades, uncoated groundwood
Industries served: Commercial printing, publishing, packaging converters
9. Evergreen Packaging
Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee
Established: Long-established US paperboard manufacturer
Evergreen Packaging operates the Pine Bluff Arkansas Mill and other US production sites making coated groundwood paper and coated paperboard for packaging and printing applications. Their focus on coated paperboard and specialty coated grades supports the food packaging and printing markets, particularly for liquid packaging and food carton applications.
Key products: Coated groundwood, coated paperboard, liquid packaging board
Industries served: Food packaging, beverage packaging, dairy and liquid carton
10. American Eagle Paper Mills
Headquarters: Tyrone, Pennsylvania
Established: Long-operating US specialty paper mill
American Eagle Paper Mills produces 100 percent recycled paper grades including coated and specialty options. They offer 30 percent, 50 percent, and 100 percent recycled printing paper options, including coated grades. Their FSC-certified production and AF&PA Sustainability Award recognition make them a relevant choice for buyers prioritizing sustainability and recycled content in coated paper. Capacity reaches up to 220 tons per day from waste paper conversion.
Key products: 100% recycled coated paper, recycled printing paper (30% / 50% / 100%), specialty office papers
Industries served: Financial institutions, universities, government, healthcare, retail with sustainability mandates
Comparison Table
| Manufacturer | Headquarters | Key Coated Products |
| Sappi North America | Boston, MA / Portland, ME | McCoy, Opus, Flo, LusterCote |
| WestRock Company | Atlanta, GA | Coated SBS, coated recycled paperboard |
| International Paper | Memphis, TN | Coated paperboard, specialty coated |
| Domtar Corporation | Fort Mill, SC | Specialty coated grades |
| Twin Rivers Paper | Madawaska, ME | Lightweight coated, specialty grades |
| Glatfelter Corporation | York, PA | Coated specialty for book publishing |
| Clearwater Paper | Spokane, WA | Coated paperboard, sustainable grades |
| Resolute Forest Products | Montreal (US ops) | Coated freesheet, specialty |
| Evergreen Packaging | Memphis, TN | Coated groundwood, liquid packaging board |
| American Eagle Paper Mills | Tyrone, PA | 100% recycled coated grades |
How to Choose the Right Coated Paper Supplier
Coated paper specifications vary widely. Match the supplier to the grade you need, not the brand:
- Premium magazine and catalog: Sappi (Somerset, Cloquet) leads on premium coated freesheet
- Lightweight coated for catalogs: Twin Rivers, Resolute, and Evergreen are relevant
- Coated paperboard for packaging: WestRock, Clearwater, International Paper dominate
- Sustainable / recycled coated: American Eagle for high recycled content
- Specialty engineered coated: Glatfelter, Twin Rivers
Specifications to Demand
- Basis weight (gsm) with stated tolerance
- Coat weight per side
- Brightness (ISO/TAPPI)
- Gloss level (75° gloss reading)
- Smoothness (Bekk, Parker Print-Surf, or Sheffield)
- Opacity for double-sided printing
- FSC, SFI, or PEFC chain-of-custody
- Recycled content percentage if relevant
US Coated Paper Industry Context
The US coated paper industry has gone through major capacity changes since 2018. Verso Corporation (a major US coated paper producer) was acquired and integrated into Billerud Americas in 2022 — Verso’s Duluth and Wisconsin Rapids mills had produced 810,000 tons of coated and supercalendered paper annually. Sappi’s Stockstadt and Westbrook mill operations have been adjusted. Several mills have converted from coated paper to packaging grades or shut down. Buyers should verify current production capability with any supplier before locking in long-term volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has US coated paper capacity declined?
Demand for coated freesheet and coated groundwood has fallen as magazine and catalog volumes have shifted to digital. Many traditional coated paper mills have converted to coated paperboard for packaging (where demand has grown), shifted to specialty grades, or closed entirely. The remaining producers tend to be either large diversified groups or focused specialty mills.
Is most US coated paper imported?
A meaningful portion is, particularly lightweight coated grades and specialty premium coated paper from European and Asian producers. However, US-based production through Sappi, Twin Rivers, and others remains significant. For buyers with US-content requirements, several domestic options remain available.
Can I get FSC-certified coated paper from US mills?
Yes. Sappi, Domtar, Clearwater, American Eagle, and most major US producers offer FSC-certified coated grades. The certification adds modest cost but is standard for many corporate procurement programs.
What is the lead time on US coated paper orders?
Standard grades from large producers typically ship within 2–4 weeks. Specialty conversions, custom basis weights, or non-standard finishes can run 6–12 weeks. Plan accordingly for premium or custom requirements.
The Bottom Line
The US coated paper market has consolidated but retains strong production through Sappi, WestRock, International Paper, Twin Rivers, Glatfelter, Clearwater, and several specialty producers. For premium printing, Sappi leads. For coated paperboard, WestRock and Clearwater dominate. For sustainability, American Eagle wins on recycled content. Match the supplier to your grade specification, verify current capacity, and confirm certifications before committing to volume.
