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 \u2014 many famous mills have closed, converted to packaging grades, or merged \u2014 but a focused group of producers continues to lead the market with strong domestic capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Headquarters: <\/strong>Boston, Massachusetts (corporate office in Portland, Maine)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Established: <\/strong>1854 (Westbrook Mill heritage); Sappi acquired 1994<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sappi North America is one of the largest coated paper producers in the United States. Their flagship Somerset Mill in central Maine \u2014 set on 2,500 acres \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key products: <\/strong>McCoy, Opus, Flo, LusterCote, premium coated freesheet, coated label paper, packaging papers<\/p>\n\n\n\n Industries served: <\/strong>Magazine and catalog publishing, premium printing, point-of-purchase displays, label converting<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headquarters: <\/strong>Atlanta, Georgia<\/p>\n\n\n\n Established: <\/strong>2015 (formed by merger of MeadWestvaco and RockTenn)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key products: <\/strong>Coated SBS paperboard, coated recycled paperboard, folding cartons, bleached paperboard<\/p>\n\n\n\n Industries served: <\/strong>Food and beverage, healthcare, beauty and personal care, e-commerce packaging<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headquarters: <\/strong>Memphis, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n Established: <\/strong>1898<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key products: <\/strong>Coated paperboard, coated bleached board for packaging, specialty coated grades<\/p>\n\n\n\n Industries served: <\/strong>Packaging, retail, consumer goods, industrial converters<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headquarters: <\/strong>Fort Mill, South Carolina<\/p>\n\n\n\n Established: <\/strong>1848<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key products: <\/strong>Specialty coated grades, business and printing papers, packaging papers<\/p>\n\n\n\n Industries served: <\/strong>Commercial printing, publishing, packaging converters<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headquarters: <\/strong>Madawaska, Maine<\/p>\n\n\n\n Established: <\/strong>Acquired and renamed 2010 (mill heritage older)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Twin Rivers Paper operates the Madawaska Mill, producing specialty coated and uncoated papers<\/a> including lightweight coated grades for catalogs and inserts, label and packaging papers, and specialty publishing papers. Their focus on specialty grades \u2014 rather than commodity coated paper \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key products: <\/strong>Lightweight coated paper (LWC), specialty coated grades, custom basis weights<\/p>\n\n\n\n Industries served: <\/strong>Catalog publishing, magazine inserts, specialty book printing, label converting<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headquarters: <\/strong>York, Pennsylvania<\/p>\n\n\n\n Established: <\/strong>1864<\/p>\n\n\n\n Glatfelter is a long-established specialty paper manufacturer<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key products: <\/strong>Coated specialty papers, engineered specialty grades, book publishing papers<\/p>\n\n\n\n Industries served: <\/strong>Premium book publishing, specialty printing, engineered material applications<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headquarters: <\/strong>Spokane, Washington<\/p>\n\n\n\n Established: <\/strong>Spun off from Potlatch Corp. in 2008<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key products: <\/strong>Coated paperboard, bleached paperboard, sustainable packaging grades<\/p>\n\n\n\n Industries served: <\/strong>Consumer goods packaging, food service, retail, e-commerce<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headquarters: <\/strong>Montreal, Quebec (extensive US operations)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Established: <\/strong>2007 (formed by AbitibiBowater merger)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key products: <\/strong>Coated freesheet, coated specialty grades, uncoated groundwood<\/p>\n\n\n\n Industries served: <\/strong>Commercial printing, publishing, packaging converters<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headquarters: <\/strong>Memphis, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n Established: <\/strong>Long-established US paperboard manufacturer<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key products: <\/strong>Coated groundwood, coated paperboard, liquid packaging board<\/p>\n\n\n\n Industries served: <\/strong>Food packaging, beverage packaging, dairy and liquid carton<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headquarters: <\/strong>Tyrone, Pennsylvania<\/p>\n\n\n\n Established: <\/strong>Long-operating US specialty paper mill<\/p>\n\n\n\n American Eagle Paper Mills produces 100 percent recycled<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key products: <\/strong>100% recycled coated paper, recycled printing paper (30% \/ 50% \/ 100%), specialty office papers<\/p>\n\n\n\n Industries served: <\/strong>Financial institutions, universities, government, healthcare, retail with sustainability mandates<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. WestRock Company<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. International Paper Company<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Domtar Corporation<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5. Twin Rivers Paper Company<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
6. Glatfelter Corporation<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
7. Clearwater Paper Corporation<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
8. Resolute Forest Products<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
9. Evergreen Packaging<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
10. American Eagle Paper Mills<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Comparison Table<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n