If you’ve stumbled across old forum posts warning you away from Papertrey Ink, or heard that a manufacturer closed and assumed Papertrey Ink was done too, you’re not alone. The rumors have been circulating in crafting communities for years. But the actual picture is more nuanced than the chatter suggests.
This article covers the current operational status of Papertrey Ink, why the rumors started, what the supplier closure actually means, and how to shop safely if you still have concerns.
Papertrey Ink Is Still Open — Here Is the Current Evidence
Let’s answer the core question first: Papertrey Ink is still in business. Here’s how you can verify that yourself.
- Their website is live and fully stocked. The Papertrey Ink site is currently accepting orders. It lists active products including stamps, dies, embellishments, a Reflections Collection Subscription, and workshop bundles with current pricing.
- They released new products in April 2026. The Papertrey Ink blog published an April 2026 release featuring new stamp sets, dies, stencils, floral themes, scene-building collections, Father’s Day designs, and faith sentiments. That’s not what a brand on the verge of closing does.
- Their Instagram account is active. The @papertreyink account is running giveaways, daily winner campaigns, and full shop launch announcements — all signs of an ongoing marketing operation.
- A YouTube creator covered their October 2025 release. A cardmaking YouTuber showcased Papertrey Ink’s October 2025 collection, which included florals and Christmas-themed items. This shows the brand is still collaborating with content creators on seasonal cycles.
- Simon Says Stamp carries their products. Simon Says Stamp, one of the largest third-party craft retailers, stocks and sells Papertrey Ink items. That’s a strong signal the brand is still a recognized, functioning supplier.
None of these are signs of a company in shutdown mode. They are signs of a company still running its business.
Why People Started Asking This Question in the First Place
The rumors didn’t come out of nowhere. There are real reasons crafters started questioning Papertrey Ink’s stability, and it’s worth understanding where those concerns came from.
Nicole Heady’s Departure in 2019
Nicole Heady was a co-founder closely tied to Papertrey Ink’s early creative identity. Around 2019, she left the company. For many long-time fans, she was the face of the brand. Her departure sparked immediate speculation in crafting forums — had the company been sold? Was it struggling financially? Was it about to close?
A ProBoards thread on 2Peas Refugees discussed her exit extensively, with community members sharing theories about what it meant for the brand’s future. These were community opinions and speculation, not confirmed facts from Papertrey Ink. But they spread, and they stuck.
Customer Service and Website Complaints
Around the same time, forum threads on Scrapbook.com documented complaints about order problems, slow restocking, and difficult customer service experiences. One user described needing to file a PayPal dispute just to recover money from a small purchase. The thread included strong language — phrases like “it truly is a wonder that they are still in business.”
That kind of language reflects customer frustration, not verified financial data. But it reads dramatically, and it still surfaces in search results today. Someone finding that thread in 2025 could easily assume those problems are current and ongoing.
The result: old discussions framed as crisis-level warnings keep appearing in search results long after the situation has changed. That’s the main reason this question keeps coming up.
The Supplier Closure Does Not Mean Papertrey Ink Closed
This is the most important factual misconception to clear up. A major die-cutting manufacturer — one that supplied Papertrey Ink and several other craft companies — went out of business. Papertrey Ink acknowledged this directly in a Facebook post, stating that one of the major die-cutting manufacturers serving many companies in the industry, including them, had closed.
Here’s what that actually means:
- Some specific dies may become difficult or impossible to restock.
- Certain products in the Papertrey Ink lineup could be discontinued or delayed because of this gap in their supply chain.
- Papertrey Ink itself — as a company — continues to operate.
Think of it like a bakery losing its flour supplier. Some items might disappear from the menu. But the bakery doesn’t close. It finds alternatives, adjusts its offerings, and keeps serving customers. That’s the situation here.
Supply chain disruptions like this are common across the independent craft industry. They cause product gaps and headaches, but they don’t automatically signal a brand is shutting down. The two things are separate, and it matters that readers understand the difference.
How to Tell If a Craft Brand Is Actually at Risk of Closing
If you’re nervous about any craft brand — Papertrey Ink or otherwise — here is a practical checklist you can use to judge for yourself.
Real Warning Signs to Watch For
- No new product releases for many months with no explanation
- Social media accounts go silent or are deleted
- The website stops working or the online store is removed
- Widespread reports of orders placed but never shipped or refunded
- No response to customer emails or support requests over an extended period
What Papertrey Ink Actually Shows Right Now
- Active blog releases through April 2026
- A YouTube creator covering their October 2025 seasonal launch
- Running social promotions and giveaways on Instagram
- Products listed and available through Simon Says Stamp
- A functional website with current subscriptions and workshop bundles
Papertrey Ink does not match the warning signs of a brand in real trouble. Applying this same checklist to any stamp or paper crafting brand you follow will give you a much clearer picture than forum speculation will.
How to Shop Safely If You Still Have Concerns
Even if the evidence points toward Papertrey Ink continuing to operate, it’s reasonable to take a careful approach — especially if you’re spending a significant amount or ordering something you really need.
Step 1: Use PayPal or a Credit Card With Buyer Protection
Historical complaints on Scrapbook.com showed that PayPal disputes were an effective route when orders went wrong. If you’re placing a large order and want a safety net, using PayPal or a credit card with dispute protection is a smart move. This applies to any online retailer, not just Papertrey Ink.
Step 2: Buy Popular Dies Sooner Rather Than Later
Because the die-cutting manufacturer closure has already affected production, some Papertrey Ink dies may not be restocked once they sell out. If there are specific dies you’ve been considering, don’t assume they’ll be available indefinitely. Check current stock and act accordingly.
Step 3: Buy Through Simon Says Stamp If You Want Extra Confidence
Simon Says Stamp is a well-established retailer with its own customer service infrastructure. If ordering directly from Papertrey Ink feels risky given what you’ve read, buying through Simon Says Stamp is a practical alternative. You still get Papertrey Ink products, but with the added support of a major retailer behind the transaction.
Step 4: Check the Blog and Instagram Before Each Order
Before placing a significant order, take two minutes to check the Papertrey Ink blog and Instagram. If they’re posting new releases, running promotions, and responding to their audience, that’s a practical real-time signal that the company is still operating normally. If those channels suddenly go quiet, that’s your cue to hold off.
For ongoing coverage of how craft businesses and independent brands navigate industry changes, OpenBizMedia is a useful resource to bookmark.
The Bottom Line
Papertrey Ink is still in business. The evidence is straightforward: new product releases into 2026, an active website, live social channels, and availability through a major third-party retailer. The rumors have roots — a founder’s departure, some genuine customer service problems, and a supplier closure — but none of those things equal the brand shutting down.
The supplier closure is real and may affect which specific dies are available long-term. That’s worth knowing before you shop. But it is a supply chain problem, not a company closure.
If you were on the fence about ordering, the practical steps above give you ways to shop with reasonable protection. And if you’re evaluating any other craft brand in the future, the warning sign checklist in this article gives you a repeatable way to separate real concern from old forum noise.
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