Paper Source

WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER!
(Custom printing)
I had a horrible experience using Paper Source to order my wedding invitations. Most issues were at a corporate level, not directly related to the store on Southport (although they were fine, at best). I received some of the worst customer service I’ve ever experienced and had to track down my own order every step of the way. Stick to popping in to Paper Source for the occasional greeting card and DIY project. I’ve heard great things about Wedding Paper Divas and desperately wish I had used them to order my invitations.

Great staff, was here under not so great circumstances (funeral, needed a guest book) and the person was extremely helpful in showing me what books there were as well as what I could use to substitute a traditional book. I don’t often shop for stationary and books of that sort, but if I need them I will return here.

I usually love Paper Source… I love their product, I think everything is super cute and well thought out (and a little expensive). However, I went to look at some custom orders and I got very discouraged.
Time-​wise, using Paper Source for custom orders can take longer than you may expect or be prepared to wait. Also, I felt that I was being talked into things that I didn’t like and though I was pretty clear about what I wanted, it just wasn’t translating. They were trying to be really nice, but I left frustrated and planning not to return for anything custom. I do think they tried to help and would have helped if they could have, but somehow there was a big disconnect and it has soured me a bit on them.
I’ll still return for items to purchase in the store but probably won’t be back for anything custom.

I’m giving this place 5 stars even though I think it’s super pricey. They have someone, a practical ANGEL named Spencer, who happens to be there every time I go in and helps me with projects both big and small. He’s amazing. Crazy creative AND has a fabulous personality to boot. Keeps me going back every time! Love the quality of their stuff too!

I absolutely love my Elum wedding invitations! There was a bit of a problem with Paper Sources «Custom Print Department.» Who failed to process my order, however, Nicole C., Assistant Manger, and my main contact at the store, was fantastic! She was very helpful in fixing the error and advocated for me to purchase an additional enclosure, at a much lower price.
Overall, a positive experience. Thanks to Nicole and Pearl, the Southport store Manager. They made what could have been a negative experience into a positive. Great attitudes and extremely professional.
Thank you for helping me with the very important task, and creating an invitation that sets the perfect mood for my wedding. Accolades. I would highly recommend the Southport Paper Source for custom print!

They read my previous review and emailed me the coupon. I used it and got a boat-​load of birthday and greeting cards. Yay!
Paper Source has a great variety of quirky and unique greeting cards at decent prices. I can’t help but buy a good handful each time I go!
Paper Source also has paper crafting items for making your own cards and scrap books. I’ve used them for that before too.
I like the assortment of little gifts such as mini books, decorative erasers, and other oddities.

So disappointing. I ran in to quickly buy some pretty paper for table numbers for a small party. They had the perfect origami type paper that was adhesive! I only needed 5 sheets and one of the packs was disassembled without a price tag. I was willing to pay more than $ 2 a sheet but they acted like it was cutting into their profits. They said they would put the pack back together? Adhesive on the top? I shop there a lot but no more out of principle. Staff (2 of the 3) was incredibly rude and embarrassing. Customer service was terrible. Too bad.

Paper source has everything your heart could ever desire. True it can be pricey here but I feel they have enough sales to make up for it. The customer service is always good and the location of this store is pretty convenient for me. If you want the perfect craft inspiration, you have to go to paper source!

I am a serious paper person. Paper whore if you must. Beautiful stationery, hand-​written notes, home-​made cards, unique wrapping paper, I love it all and more. Colors, textures, patterns, so much beauty and simplicity in paper and paper crafts.
Paper Source is one of my favorite higher-​end paper/​stationery store. If you’re in need of a unique card or cute gift, this is a one stop shop. I have lingered over the displays of mugs, pens, totes, calendars, books and more – but these aren’t cheapy souvenir type gifts. These are whimsical, thoughtful and quality products. I did mini splurge on a Kate Spade pencil case I use as a wallet – it’s covered in a pattern of black frame glasses and I knew it had to be mine.
But my main draw here is the craft supplies and paper. The have a nice selection of rubber stamps, inks, cardstock, envelopes… pretty much everything a DIY card-​maker needs. Again, this isn’t chain-​craft-​store products, these are amusing and high-​end trendy stamps and colors they showcase. My most recent purchases was of a black frame glasses stamp and a French macaron stamp. I made the most delicious cards from the products – ask my friends, they’ll back me up!
And you don’t have to be super duper creative to enjoy the items here, they have classes and workshops for the beginner and/​or advanced DIY’er. There are also paper craft kits for seasonal/​holiday home décor I have fallen for – garlands, place cards, paper wreaths. Swoon.
Like I mentioned, this isn’t chain store goods, so the price is going to be a little higher, but it’s unique, it’s quality… just one of my favorite places.
Oh and the folks here are terrific, it’s nice to talk shop with people that have a serious addiction to paper like me.

When my friend Aimee M. and I headed to nearby Jeni’s for some ice cream, she asked me in a cautious tone, «do you mind if we stop at…» and as soon as she said «Paper Source?» I forgot about ice cream… for a few minutes…
Sometimes it’s easier to splurge on some things rather than others. I adore paper goods, but I struggle with spending money recklessly on them. If my wallet were more padded, I would purchase things like this:
Paint Chip Calendar: $ 24
Macaron-​print Wrapping Paper: I didn’t even check the price.
Kate Spade Paper Clips: $ 12
Greeting cards: $ 5+
Paper Source, aside from carrying all of my dream splurge items, is a great spot for gifts. I had my eye on a few things for one of my co-​workers and my mom, both of which appreciate quirky stuff like a package of mini-​highlighters with monster faces ($ 6).
They have a clearance section! I found a set of 4 dessert plates (with a macaron design) marked down from $ 20 to $ 10! They are adorable, and I have yet to actually serve a dessert on them, but it’s only a matter of time.
I was disappointed with the lack of photo album inventory. I prefer the easy-​peasy slip ‘n slide in books, or the old fashioned magnetic sticky pages, but they stock more craft-​intensive scrapbook style albums.
Note to self: come back for Christmas gifts.
Note to others: They have other locations, and there is one in Naperville! Gift me stuff from here, and I will love you forever.

I was in the Southport store the other night trying to wrap my head around wedding invitations.
Nicole was the sales associate who helped me and she was great to work with. She was incredibly friendly and gave me just enough information and guidance to make the search process much easier but she never hovered, nor was she pushy or overbearing — which I sincerely appreciated.
She allowed me to leave my contact information to receive the quotes and promptly sent them out later that evening after the store closed.
I appreciated her service and I’ll definitely be back in the store soon.

I love this store so much. They have so much stuff I want to buy. I am a crafty person and that place is a crafter’s dream! I wish they weren’t so expensive but you also pay for what you get. I took my first class there last night — Calligraphy. The instructor, Christy Toney, was so great and the class size was so small (5) that there was plenty of one on one attention. I would definitely that another class or workshop there. The only bad thing in my opinion was that the stools we sat on for the 2.5 hour class were soooooo uncomfortable! But I am sure they won’t buy all new stools (but they should!). We received a 10% coupon for taking the course (winning!!!). See you soon for my shopping spree!

This is one of those places where if you do not know EXACTLY what you’re going to get, and stick with it, then you are going to get lost in crafty bliss and leave the store broke.
I guess this store is both a good and a bad thing in that way. Good because I love everything they have; bad because I can’t afford much of what they have. Either way, a little splurging is worth it once in a while. I came here looking for cool wrapping paper and a baby shower card (I went with an adorable handmade card w a sloth on it, and two woodland creature themed papers w burlap twine). But when I got there I fell in love with so many things! Especially since it was Halloween, my favorite holiday, and they had the trendiest decorations and crafts. They also had a lot of handmade suggestions on display. It seems that they have workshops — I have not attended but would have if I still lived in the area.
What keeps this place from being a 5-​star joint is the price. It wasn’t terribly expensive, but it added up really really quick. I think I spent about $ 50 for a card, a pack of thank you cards, 3 sheets of paper, twine, and a gift tag. I was also pressured at the register to buy a $ 50 label-​maker. I declined but she kept on selling it. She was polite, though.

As a rule, I love Paper Source – it’s my kind of store simply put.
This store in particular seemed to have a sparse selection of the things I look for when I visit a Paper Source – unique cards, cool stationary – and my experience wasn’t all that pleasant.
Before my current job, I worked as a nanny in this area. I lived farther away, so my commute time along with the long hours meant that if I needed to pick up a card or a quick gift, I had to do this when I was on a walk with the kids.
For those who live in this area, you know there are a LOT of babies and newlyweds. Most other stores I had shopped along Southport had easy ways to get in and out with a stroller to make a pain free experience. However at this location, I felt like the employees would have asked me to leave if they were allowed. I was struggling getting through the door with the stroller and the employees just openly stared at me (I was the only customer in there that day). As I was walking around trying to find a birthday card, I had an employee let me know I was taking up a lot of space and she needed to get around me.
I ended up feeling really bad – I found a generic card and left. Paper Source products are the best, but if I want one I’m more inclined to make the trek to the Chicago location even though its further from where I live.

No one that knows me would doubt that I love Paper Source. It is such a «Traci kind of store.» Here are some reasons why this one in particular is great!
1. The people working are friendly, funny, and interesting to talk to without being overbearing. –the reason I was inspired to write this review. If I had been doing anything other than browsing, I’m sure they would have been more than able to competently assist me.
2. So many cute papers and supplies! Obviously.
3. A crafting table for those who are into that sort of thing. You know, you can scrapbook right at the store.
4. The location! It’s near Southport Grocery, two train stops (one red, one brown), Anthro, and lots of other «girls tend to love them» sorts of stores.
5. Tons of stylish, retro, and unique wedding invitations. My group noticed that because one of my friends is engaged and just sent her invites out. I wouldn’t have thought to look at Paper Source for this sort of thing, but now I know!
6. IT IS JUST A HAPPY PLACE for people, like me, who go ga-​ga over colors, different kinds of paper, crafty things, and ideas. Lots of inspiration here. It puts a smile on my face every time and makes me want to spend 10 000 dollars there.

I visited Paper Source on a recommendation from a friend because I was utterly clueless on what to do about my wedding invitations.
I walked in on a day after work, and was immediately greeted and congratulated upon telling Spencer why I had come. He sat me down and showed me all of the options for invitations. (Paper Source is more than a stationary shop, I must admit I was surprised!) If I didn’t like those options and wanted to «be brave and really go DIY» he showed me all the options for that, too. I chose the DIY option, and thanks to his guidance, I am successfully making my own wedding invitations!
Color me impressed. This guy knew everything about everything in this store, and really prepared me to take on this ambitious task by myself. Everyone who works there has been a peach as well. I really believe that this store offers the best customer service experience I have ever had in my life.
I just might have to turn into one of those crafty girls just so I can have another great store experience…

I had a great experience at Paper Source. I stopped in right before closing on a week night to pick up a few things I needed for a little wedding DIY project I had been putting off for months. They had everything I needed (card stock in all kinds of colors and sizes) and then some… the girl helping me was so nice and suggested a couple things I hadn’t really thought about like a tiny hole punch and some double sided tape. My project turned out pretty awesome, if I do say so myself! They also have tons of cute cards and a variety of fun gifts. Will definitely stop in again!

I can’t stand the «customer service» at this Paper Source.
«Are you in the right section?» was the (weak) sales tactic tried by one employee on a recent Saturday afternoon. «The ‘right section’? I’m buying thank-​you notes,» I said.
A minute later: «WHAT ARE WE WORKING ON TODAY?» boomed another one, looming over me in her Santa hat. She stepped in so close I had to back away. «We?» I asked pointedly. «I’m looking at wrapping paper.»
«Check out at these Christmas stickers! Aren’t they awesome? You can use them to dress up your packages!» she pressed on, diverting my attention from a product I might actually buy in order to point out some cutesy, useless little things I would never plaster all over a gift.
On it went as I turned my back on more attempts to engage until I’d finally grabbed the things on my list, paid, and escaped with great relief onto the sidewalk.
I know what I like, Paper Source. And I’ll ask if I need help. Please leave me in peace or at least speak to me like we’re all grownups – otherwise I’ll find somewhere else to spend $ 60 on a few bits of ribbon.

Every once in a while, when everyday life starts to feel a bit like drudgery, I just wish I could go back to kindergarten, back to the days when I had nothing to do but play with glue and glitter and pretty paper. Then, I think to myself, why? Why would I want to go back to when I was uncoordinated little kid, making a absolute mess out of something so that grown-​ups can lie and say I did a good job? It’s just so much more fun to do the job right! And, these days, with a little help from my friends at Paper Source, I can do the job right.
They have everything you need to be creative with your paper crafts, your card makings, fancy gift decorating, wreath and garland making, embossing… you name it and they can help you with it.
They also have cool classes for those of us needing a little help getting past the messy kindergarten stage. I have taken several of them and have found them helpful inspiration. However, the classes are pricey. And you should bring a friend because, though, they are group classes, and Paper Source does provide wine to help loosen people up, the people who attend aren’t really friendly.

OWLS, OWLS, OWLS!!!
This is such a fantastic store.
First off, their front display is filled with owls. I love owls. They had:
Owl Mugs
Owl Nightlights
Owl Pillows
Owl Soap
Owl Lip Gloss
Owl Piggy Banks
Get the picture? Oh, so awesome. I’m amazed at my self control (being able to leave without buying all of the above).
Awesome selection of cards. I like Four Sided’s selection a little more, but this was still pretty awesome. It’s a great place for cool knick knacks, and obviously, printing supplies, paper, stamps, etc.
Very cool stuff.