Brevpapper

Brevpapper is a Swedish term for paper intended specifically for writing personal or formal letters and correspondence. Traditionally produced in standard sizes, it may be plain, lined, or decorated with a watermark, emblem, or printed letterhead to indicate the sender’s identity or organizational affiliation.

Historically, letter paper has been a key medium for private communication, business transactions, and official notices. In earlier centuries, paper quality, watermarking, and the inclusion of coats of arms or business logos conveyed social status and authenticity. The design and weight of brevpapper were often chosen to reflect the importance of the message.

Contemporary brevpapper is available in a range of weights, textures, and colors, from inexpensive mass-produced sheets to high-end, archival-quality paper. Common variants include correspondence sets that match envelopes and preprinted stationery bearing personal monograms or corporate branding. Security features such as embossed seals, special fibers, or tamper-evident elements are sometimes used for formal documents.

While digital communication has reduced everyday use, physical letter paper remains valued for formal invitations, legal notices, ceremonial correspondence, and personal letters where tactile qualities are important. Environmental concerns have encouraged use of recycled fibers, sustainably sourced pulp, and certified manufacturing processes. Collectors and historians study historical brevpapper for insights into social customs, commerce, and graphic design.