inpapieren

Inpapieren is a Dutch term used to describe documents or materials that exist on paper rather than in digital form. The noun is formed from in (in) and papieren (paper documents). Inpapieren is most often used to refer to the status or handling of documents in paper form, as opposed to their digital counterparts. The expression can be used in two related senses: describing a document as being in papieren vorm, or referring to the act of converting or filing materials into paper format within an administrative workflow.

In administration and legal contexts, inpapieren copies may be required for verification, authenticity, or archival purposes. Many government agencies, courts, and archives distinguish between originals and copies in papieren vorm, and may accept or reject digital equivalents depending on policy. In libraries and archival institutions, inpapieren records are typically preserved as physical artifacts, with metadata used to track provenance and access. In publishing and printing, the term can also appear to denote finished paper copies produced for distribution, as opposed to drafts or electronic proofs.

Because usage varies by institution and region, inpapieren is not a strictly defined term in standard dictionaries. It is best understood from context: it signals a preference or requirement for physical paper documentation rather than digital formats.

See also: Paper documents, Digital documents, Archival preservation, Document management.