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Paper Source Review

Tuesday, October 8th

2024 Birthday Party Supply Store Reviews

Paper Source Review 2.5 Star Rating

Paper Source

2.5 Star Rating
  • Prices from $3.50 for birthday themed items
  • Around 100 total birthday products
  • 30- to 60-day return policy
  • Free shipping on orders over $60

Paper Source was founded in 1983 in Chicago, with a vision to spark delight and encourage thoughtful connections through creativity. Today, the company has over 120 locations across 25 states in the US as well as a full online store.

Great place for craft enthusiasts

Paper Source is a one-stop shop for craft enthusiasts, offering a variety of products including custom invitations, greeting cards, gifts, paper craft kits, party supplies, and personalized stationery. In terms of party supplies, the company offers just over 100 options for birthday-themed products. Paper Source ships to North America, the UK, and Australia.

Not a wide variety

To compare the range of items at different retailers in our review, we looked at offerings appropriate for adult birthday parties as well as those best suited for kids. The company doesn't separate the themes for adults. On the other hand, there is a section for kids that offers 55 total products. The generalized birthday inventory offers 79 products. There is some overlap, so the total for birthday supplies is just over 100 items available at Paper Source.

Few "birthday” themed options

To evaluate the pricing at Paper Source, we checked out three items to compare them to other retailers.

  • First, we looked at room decoration prices (like streamers). At Paper Source the prices for banners range from $10.50 to $24.50.
  • For party favor bags you'll have to shop in the general party supplies section as only one bag set shows up under birthday supplies. The bags suitable for birthdays range in price from $3.50 to $16.50 with options for cellophane and paper bags.
  • The birthday plates at Paper Source range from $8.50 to $10.50 with 7 total options in the "birthday” section. However, there are a total of 39 total plate options across the website.

Artsy styling for all products

In terms of styling, the kids' and adult party supplies feel very sophisticated. Instead of cartoonish animals, everything has a hand-drawn or crafty style. Paper Source is catering to the fans of Pinterest birthday parties, who want everything to fit into a particular vibe. If you're looking for something more cutesy or name-brand themes like Marvel or Star Wars, you'll need to shop somewhere else. But if you want that picture-perfect party for you or your kiddos, this might be a fun place to replicate your Pinterest dreams.

Best Birthday Party Supply Stores

30-60 day return policy

Paper Source's return policy states that customers can receive a full refund, including applicable taxes, for any new and unopened merchandise returned within 30 days of purchase with a receipt or packing slip. This policy applies to all Paper Source retail locations and their online store. If you return an item to Paper Source using a gift receipt, you will receive a store credit in the form of an electronic gift card. The credit will be issued for the original purchase price and must be claimed within 60 days of purchase.

Free shipping on orders $60+

One bonus of shopping with Paper Source is that the company offers free standard shipping for all orders of $60 or more within the contiguous United States. The shipping offer is only valid for online purchases and is calculated after all other discounts have been applied. However, this offer excludes certain brands and products sold only in stores, as well as shipping to non-contiguous US states. But for most customers, this offer will be easily attainable.

Customers complain about shipping

In terms of the company's reputation with customers, Paper Source has under 100 total reviews on third party websites. The company has received a "D-” rating from the BBB, which is less than ideal. Unfortunately, for the reviews that are out there most of them focus on the stationery and not specifically the birthday supplies. In particular, happy customers liked the "cute” styling of the products at Paper Source and praised the high quality of the stationery used. On the flip side, customers had trouble with shipping across the board with slow delivery or items arriving after the needed timeframe of the item (like Christmas cards arriving well after Christmas). With these concerns, Paper Source may not be worth the Pinterest-perfect styling.

Cute designs but shipping isn't reliable

Overall, Paper Source offers cute options for birthdays, but as it is neither cost-effective nor a customer favorite, it doesn't stand up to our top options. Customers have complained about slow shipping, with items arriving after the intended use. While shoppers may still like the Pinterest-style designs for a put-together birthday party, it may be safer to check somewhere else if you need your items to arrive on time. For this reason, this retailer is fairly low in our review; however, if the artsy decor is your jam, you might enjoy this store just to browse.

Where is the Best Place to Get Birthday Party Supplies?

Are you planning something special for your kiddos? Or maybe there's a 21st birthday coming up and you want to go all out. Whatever your reason for celebrating, it's always more fun with party supplies. Whether you want a full Pinterest-perfect color-coded Gatsby-themed night or just a few fun streamers to spice up your birthday party space, party supplies can make a special occasion into an unforgettable experience.

The popularity of buying party supplies has grown significantly in recent years. With the rise of social media platforms such as Pinterest and Instagram, people are more inspired than ever to create picture-perfect birthday parties that are both beautiful and memorable. Party supplies are readily available - especially online - making it easy for people to find the decorations and accessories they need to create their dream birthday bash.

The Best Birthday Party Supply Stores Compare Birthday Party Supply Stores Compare Birthday Party Supply Store Reviews What are the best Birthday Party Supply Stores Best Birthday Party Supply Store Reviews

Birthday Party Supply Store FAQ

The list of birthday party supplies available online is far more extensive than you could ever dream. It's likely you'll start shopping and find hundreds of accessories and items to spruce up your party that you never even knew you needed! You'll find the basics like plates, cups, cutlery, napkins, balloons, and games, party streamers, photo backdrops, costumes, treats, prizes, banners, and much more. You won't be lacking anything when the birthday party rolls around!
When you're choosing a birthday party theme for you or someone else, think of favorite TV shows, books, sports teams, vacation spots, hobbies, or movies and decide if there is something you want to base your celebration off of. It's likely that you will have a hard time narrowing down your options because there are so many fun party ideas to choose from! It might help to browse an online party supply store and go through the themes they have listed to see what has a good selection of inventory.
We all have birthdays, so no matter the age, you'll find fantastic party supplies to throw a memorable birthday bash! Whether you're planning your baby's first birthday or your grandma is turning 100, you'll be covered. There are themes to fit all ages and plenty of decor to choose from.
All party supply stores have slightly different shipping policies and delivery times. Most of the time, you can order all your decor and expect to receive it in about a week. When you check out online, you'll get an estimated shipping delivery window depending on where you live. As long as you're planning ahead for your birthday party, you'll have plenty of time to receive your order and decorate for the event!
Not necessarily! It's a good idea to set a budget for your birthday party, otherwise you could end up spending a lot. If you really want to go all out and buy everything you can find to fit your birthday theme, it could be hundreds of dollars. However, birthday party supplies on their own aren't very expensive. The problem is really just that there is so much to choose from and it's hard to narrow down what you really need! It's a good problem to have.
If you do a quick online search for a birthday party checklist, you'll find tons of helpful articles! First think about what food you're having and what you need for eating and serving, then think of games you want to do, if you need to decorate an indoor or outdoor venue, if you want to send guests home with gift bags, etc. If you make a list beforehand, it's a lot easier to get all your online shopping done!
Yes, most companies have a 30 day return policy (or longer) that allows you to return any new, unused items to them for a full refund. This is helpful since sometimes you don't use all the plates, tablecloths, balloons, or any other decor that you have to estimate for. Make sure to read the company's return policy and send the items back within the specified timeframe to get your refund.
Yes! Getting an invitation to a birthday party is half the fun! Nowadays a lot of people choose to do evites through text or email to save time and money on mailing things out. But if you're interested in doing mailed invitations, most party supply stores will have everything you need. You can choose the invitation design and envelopes to go along with them as part of your online shopping.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

Party supplies are a great way to add a touch of fun and excitement to any celebration. They can help set the tone for the party, whether it be a casual backyard BBQ or an extravagant quince. There is a wide range of party supplies available on the market, from balloons and streamers to tablecloths and centerpieces.

Whether you are looking to create a festive atmosphere or simply add some color and decoration to your event, party supplies are an essential part of any successful party (and your guests will love the matching party favors). They can help you create an event that your guests will never forget.

One of the reasons that party supplies are so fun to get is that they allow you to get creative and express yourself. You can choose from a variety of colors, themes, and designs to match your personal style and taste. From whimsical decorations to elegant table settings, the possibilities are endless. For example, if you are throwing a princess-themed birthday party. you might choose pastel colors, sparkly decorations, and themed balloons. But if you're throwing a sci-fi-themed party, you might choose silvers and blacks and star-shaped confetti.

There are so many options out there, and so many places to buy them. Don't worry, party planners, we've got you. So, how do you find the best place to buy birthday party supplies? There are so many choices out there, it can seem overwhelming when you start planning your party. If you're not sure where to start, we've created this list to help you narrow down your choices:

  • Price: If you're looking for premium-looking party ware, you don't always have to pay premium prices. Keep an eye on how much you're going to pay and how many items you get for that price.
  • Age: It's important to know whether you're throwing a party for kids or adults. Some stores serve adult styling better than others, while some only offer options for kid-themed birthdays.
  • Packages: Are you a "buy in bulk” kind of party shopper, or do you want to pick and choose different items? Keep an eye on whether the retailer offers single-item purchases or if you have to buy things in pre-themed packs.
  • User interface: Shopping online is popular everywhere nowadays. For that reason, there's almost no excuse for a poor user interface. Shop the sites that are easy for you to use and find what you need.
  • Return policy: If you're spending a lot of money on party supplies, you want some confidence that a company stands behind its products. Find a retailer that offers a return policy in a time frame that is comfortable for your needs.

To help you make your next birthday party the talk of the town, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the most popular places to buy party supplies out there today. We hope this will make choosing where to shop a breeze so you can get to work planning and decorating to your heart's content!

Compare Birthday Party Supply Stores

Select any 2 Birthday Party Supply Stores to compare them head to head

best-birthday-party-supplies
  • Oriental Trading
  • Party City
  • Target
  • Party Expert
  • Dollar Tree
  • Factory Direct Party
  • Big Dot of Happiness
  • Walmart
  • Paper Source
  • Blue Orchards
  • Party Cheap
Oriental Trading vs Party City Oriental Trading vs Target Oriental Trading vs Party Expert Oriental Trading vs Dollar Tree Oriental Trading vs Factory Direct Party Oriental Trading vs Big Dot of Happiness Oriental Trading vs Walmart Oriental Trading vs Paper Source Oriental Trading vs Blue Orchards Oriental Trading vs Party Cheap Party City vs Target Party City vs Party Expert Party City vs Dollar Tree Party City vs Factory Direct Party Party City vs Big Dot of Happiness Party City vs Walmart Party City vs Paper Source Party City vs Blue Orchards Party City vs Party Cheap Target vs Party Expert Target vs Dollar Tree Target vs Factory Direct Party Target vs Big Dot of Happiness Target vs Walmart Target vs Paper Source Target vs Blue Orchards Target vs Party Cheap Party Expert vs Dollar Tree Party Expert vs Factory Direct Party Party Expert vs Big Dot of Happiness Party Expert vs Walmart Party Expert vs Paper Source Party Expert vs Blue Orchards Party Expert vs Party Cheap Dollar Tree vs Factory Direct Party Dollar Tree vs Big Dot of Happiness Dollar Tree vs Walmart Dollar Tree vs Paper Source Dollar Tree vs Blue Orchards Dollar Tree vs Party Cheap Factory Direct Party vs Big Dot of Happiness Factory Direct Party vs Walmart Factory Direct Party vs Paper Source Factory Direct Party vs Blue Orchards Factory Direct Party vs Party Cheap Big Dot of Happiness vs Walmart Big Dot of Happiness vs Paper Source Big Dot of Happiness vs Blue Orchards Big Dot of Happiness vs Party Cheap Walmart vs Paper Source Walmart vs Blue Orchards Walmart vs Party Cheap Paper Source vs Blue Orchards Paper Source vs Party Cheap Blue Orchards vs Party Cheap
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