Cave Paper, a Tucson-based paper company known for its artisanal, handcrafted sheets, is keeping traditions alive under the leadership of its new owner Zoë Goehring.
With a commitment to preserving the company’s history of quality and craftsmanship, Goehring is also introducing fresh, innovative ways to engage with the Tucson community — ensuring Cave Paper remains a beloved local business while expanding its reach.
Cave Paper, 846 N. Stone Ave., has garnered a loyal following among bookbinders, artists and designers for its uniquely strong, textured and beautifully decorated paper sheets.
"We pride ourselves on producing paper that’s not just functional, but also an artistic medium in itself," said Goehring. "Our customers aren’t just buying paper — they’re buying a product that enhances their creative work. Whether it’s a limited-edition book or a handcrafted art piece, our paper plays a pivotal role in making that project truly special."
Cave Paper was founded in Minneapolis in 1994 by Amanda Degener and Bridget O’Malley. They began production in a historic warehouse basement, appropriately nicknamed “The Cave” due to its stone walls, lack of windows and chilly temperatures. In 2020, Goehring moved the business to Tucson.
“I was trying to establish my own business that was connected to my creative practice and I found Cave Paper and talked with the owners who were also transitioning into retirement,” Goehring said. “I admired their mission and creative process and we spent a year in transition before I became owner in 2020.”
Since moving to Tucson, Goehring has continued the traditions of making sustainable paper while adapting the process to incorporate water sustainability in the desert climate.
Goehring currently hosts monthly showroom tours where people get an inside look at the paper-making process from start to finish. Tours can be booked through the Cave Paper website.
“My main focus in the production system in terms of adapting it to a desert environment has just been really focused on reimagining water use and the water system in the paper-making process,” Goehring said. “Paper-making is so water intensive so to be more sustainable I’ve incorporated solutions like collecting and recycling water in the process.”
Each sheet of paper is crafted using traditional techniques, including beating, pressing and decorating. Goehring starts with raw Belgian flax fiber that first gets beaten into a paper pulp and then gets placed into an antique hollander-style beater that processes 20 pounds of fiber at a time. It’s then formed into a sheet of paper by hand using molds before getting pressed and dried. Then, Goehring uses those base sheets to apply a variety of surface treatments to create the final design and add in natural dyes to color the product.
“[The antique hollander] is really the heart of what we do here because it can process so much fiber at a time. It really allows us to operate on a production scale,” Goehring said. “I also love using natural dyes like indigo, black walnut and pomegranate rinds for color.”
All the paper is made in-house at Cave Paper.
All the paper is made in-house and Cave Paper serves a regular clientele, Goehring added. But to expand its reach, she looks to increase community events like workshops and showroom tours.
Goehring currently hosts monthly showroom tours where people get an inside look at the paper-making process from start to finish. Tours can be booked through the Cave Paper website. She wants to do more events like this and potentially collaborate with other local artists, Goehring added.
“I would love to do more to bring people into this space,” Goehring said. “Something I really love about paper-making is that it’s such a tactile experience and there’s a lot of different levels to engage with while making paper and that is amazing.”
Goehring is also looking into starting a textile and paper recycling service for companies in Tucson to work together to create new sustainable products.
For more information on Cave Paper and to explore their selection of decorative and custom-made paper, visit their website at cavepaper.com.
As Cave Paper looks to the future and celebrates 30 years serving local communities, Goehring is excited to continue innovating while honoring the traditional art of paper-making.
"For us, paper is more than just a product — it’s a medium of expression," she said. "We’re thrilled that so many artists and craftspeople have embraced our work, and we look forward to supporting their creative journeys for many years to come."
For more information on Cave Paper and to explore their selection of decorative and custom-made paper, visit their website at cavepaper.com.
