Paper Mate
Last verified: April 2026
Read our full verification: Is Paper Mate Made in USA?Est. 1949
Paper Mate has been manufacturing products in Shelbyville, TN since 1949. We carry 5 verified American-made Paper Mate products.
Heritage & History
Paper Mate was founded in 1949 in Los Angeles, California by Patrick Frawley and Fran Seech, who developed a non-smear ballpoint ink formula at a time when ballpoint pens were notorious for skipping, smearing, and leaking. The Frawley Pen Company's Paper Mate became the first successful American ballpoint pen, eventually overtaking fountain pens in American offices and classrooms.
Over 75 years, Paper Mate has been a constant in American writing culture: the Flair felt-tip became a classroom staple in the 1960s, the Write Bros gave offices a reliable disposable pen, and the InkJoy introduced a low-friction ink that reduced writing fatigue. The Shelbyville, Tennessee facility continues the tradition of American-made pens.
Made in Shelbyville, Tennessee
Paper Mate manufactures pens and writing instruments at the Shelbyville, Tennessee facility, part of Newell Brands' domestic manufacturing operations. Ballpoint pen production involves the precise extrusion of ink into cartridge tubes, assembly of the tip and ball mechanism, and housing injection molding — manufacturing processes that require tight dimensional tolerances to ensure consistent ink delivery across millions of pens.
Shelbyville is in Bedford County in central Tennessee, part of the state's growing manufacturing sector. Paper Mate's Tennessee production maintains the quality standards that have made it the best-selling pen brand in the United States. For schools, offices, and homes that want American-made writing instruments with 75 years of reliable performance, Paper Mate's domestic manufacturing delivers consistent quality.
Quick Picks
Paper Mate InkJoy 100ST Ballpoint Pens 20-Pack Black Medium
Paper Mate
Office & School
Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens 12-Count Medium Point Assorted
Paper Mate
Office & School
Paper Mate Write Bros Ballpoint Pens 60-Count Black
Paper Mate
Office & School
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paper Mate made in the USA?
Yes. Paper Mate manufactures 5 verified products in Shelbyville, TN. Paper Mate has manufactured pens and writing instruments in the USA since 1949, producing the InkJoy, Flair, and Sharpwriter lines that have equipped American classrooms, offices, and homes for over 75 years.
Where is Paper Mate manufactured?
Paper Mate is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Manufacturing takes place in Shelbyville, TN.
What Paper Mate products can I buy?
We carry 5 verified Paper Mate products across Office & School. Every listing links directly to Amazon with verified American manufacturing.
When was Paper Mate founded?
Paper Mate was founded in 1949. Paper Mate has manufactured pens and writing instruments in the USA since 1949, producing the InkJoy, Flair, and Sharpwriter lines that have equipped American classrooms, offices, and homes for over 75 years.
Does Paper Mate ship from Amazon?
Yes, all Paper Mate products listed here are available on Amazon with free shipping for Prime members.