About the Industry
The free paper industry includes a diverse mix of publications, from traditional shopping guides distributed by carrier or mail to alternative newsweeklies and community newspapers to niche publications directed to specific readership. The common link among all publications is that they are delivered to the reader without charge.
A $4 billion industry with circulation in excess of 100 million copies weekly and employing tens of thousands, the free paper industry is a highly professional, efficiently run publishing industry reaching nearly every household in the country.
Often grouped with the paid newspaper industry, circulation of free is papers is growing and increasingly readers are looking to their local free papers for information about their communities.
AFCP takes an Industry Leadership Role
As the largest free paper association, AFCP has taken a leadership role in this important, robust industry. Click on the icon to see the video.
Each link shows additional facts that demonstrate that free papers are a distinct industry within print media.
Facts and Figures
Check out facts about the free paper industry.
Readership
Readership of free papers is well documented by audits performed by independant audit firms.
Audited Circulation
The vast majority of free papers have been audited by independant audit firms.
PaperChain
PaperChain is a joint marketing effort by 15 free paper associations. Promoting free papers to national and regional media buyers is PaperChain's main objective.
Research Library
Look for additional information about the industry and sample documents to assist publishers in building their operations.