Papirmæssig

Papirmæssig is a Danish and Norwegian adjective meaning "made of paper" or "paper-like." It derives from papir, meaning "paper," and the suffix -mæssig, which forms adjectives meaning "of or relating to" or "like." The term is used to describe materials or textures that resemble paper—thin, lightweight, fragile, or with a surface that is flat, smooth, or easily creased. In everyday language, objects described as papirmæssig have a paper-like quality, such as a papirmæssig folder, a papirmæssig finish on a product, or a papirmæssig texture in textiles or coatings.

In art and crafts, papirmæssig is common when discussing paper-based media, including papier-mâché, paper collage, or delicate cut-paper artworks. It can also be used metaphorically to describe documents or information that is insubstantial or lacking substance, though this sense is context-dependent and less common.

The term is primarily associated with Danish usage, with Norwegian spellings varying by orthography (for instance papirmessig or papirmæssig). Its usage aligns with general Scandinavian patterns of forming adjectives from nouns with the -mæssig/-messig suffix.

See also: Papier-mâché, Paper (material).