Paper is a thin sheet usually manufactured from cellulose pulp derived from wood and other lignocellulosic materials such as cotton, rice, or wheat straw for writing, printing, and packaging purposes. The first step in a typical paper manufacturing process is to produce pulp from wood chips. Softwoods, such as spruce and pine with slender, strong, and elastic fibers, are the most commonly used species in North America. In general, pulp, which is the raw material of paper, can be manufactured using two methods: chemical pulping or mechanical pulping.

Source: Oklahoma State University