Athens Paper Company — Est. 1952

Master the Art of Paper.

Industry-led courses for printers, designers, and print sales professionals — built on real-world expertise from the people who know paper best.

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A new tip every month.

Paper Tip of the Month

Every month, we share a paper tip drawn from over seven decades in the industry — the kind of practical knowledge that only comes from hands-on experience across thousands of print jobs. Some tips are brand new; others are tried-and-true favorites worth revisiting. Either way, each one is yours free, no sign-up required.

Expect everything from selecting the right substrate for a tricky finishing process to understanding how grain direction affects your fold. We cover coatings, calipers, sheet sizes, envelope specs, wide format materials, and more — the details that make or break a job. Whether you’re training a new hire or refreshing your own expertise, these tips are designed to save time, reduce waste, and help you sound like the expert your customers need you to be.

Back by popular demand

Athens Paper School

Learn the fundamentals of paper — basis weights, calipers, finishes, sheet sizes, and more, so you can find the right product every time.

Printing essentials

Wide-Format 101

Explore wide format substrates, equipment, laminates, and mounting options. This course is currently under construction — check back soon.

Coming Soon

Inspiration station

Kelley’s Corner

A hub for designers and spec professionals. Access specialized tools, request samples, and connect with the right people for your project.

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Built Around You

The Athens University Experience

Product Knowledge

Understand paper grades, coatings, weights, and wide format materials so you can confidently match the right substrate to any print job or application.

Industry Know-How

Get up to speed on the essentials of the printing business — substrates, finishing, estimating, and workflow — so you can speak the language from day one.

Real-World Demos

Request a hands-on demo at one of our live demo centers in Nashville, Charlotte, or Atlanta. See equipment in action and get expert guidance tailored to your needs.

Your Industry, Your Growth

Training for Every Stage of Your Career

Athens University is designed for anyone in the print and paper industry — whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up.

New hires learning substrates, workflows, and customer needs for the first time
Sales reps building deeper product knowledge to better serve their accounts
Experienced professionals sharpening their expertise or exploring new specialties
Print shop owners investing in stronger, more knowledgeable teams

No matter where you are in your career, there’s something here for you.

Ready to Get Started?

Apply to Athens University

Whether you’re new to paper or an industry specialist looking to brush up on the latest trends and standards, there’s a seat for you. Get in touch to learn more.

Backed by Decades of Experience

Learn from the Best in the Business

Athens University is powered by Athens Paper Company, a paper and wide format distributor headquartered in Nashville, TN. Since 1952, we’ve served the print industry all across the Southeast — and now we’re bringing our expertise to you.

Our curriculum is built on real industry knowledge — the same expertise that keeps our network delivering across 8,000 miles of routes every day.

70+

Years of Industry Experience

Locations

States of Reach

Daily Route Miles