If you’ve ever wanted to create a map or an enchanting book, you’ll first need to master how to make paper in Minecraft. Paper may seem basic, but it’s actually essential for crafting, trading, and exploring.
Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned builder, understanding the role of paper and how to make paper in minecraft will greatly enhance your gameplay. For smoother Minecraft sessions, check out our guide to fixing lag in Minecraft and keep your adventures uninterrupted.
What is paper in Minecraft and what does it look like?
Paper is a craftable item in Minecraft used for creating key tools like books, maps, and even fireworks. Visually, it’s a pale beige sheet with fine details, typically shown in a stack when in your inventory.
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A quick history of paper in Minecraft
So, paper was added to Minecraft in Beta 1.2 (January 2011). Since then, it’s remained a crucial crafting component, especially for players interested in trading, enchantments, and exploration.
From its humble beginning as a simple map ingredient, paper has become an integral part of in-game economics and automation.
What do you need to craft paper in Minecraft?
The only material required to craft paper is sugar cane—an easily accessible plant found near bodies of water in nearly all biomes.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 3 units of sugar cane
- A crafting table
Where to find sugar cane in Minecraft?
Sugar cane grows naturally beside rivers, lakes, and oceans. You’ll recognize it by its tall, bamboo-like appearance. It must be planted on dirt, sand, or grass blocks directly next to water.
Pro tip: Always collect extra to start your own sugar cane farm later.
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How to plant sugar cane effectively
To keep a steady supply of paper, you’ll want to grow sugar cane at your base. Follow these steps:
- Place dirt or sand blocks adjacent to water.
- Plant sugar cane on those blocks.
- Wait for the cane to grow (up to 3 blocks high).
- Harvest only the top two segments for regrowth.
Table: Sugar Cane Growth Conditions
| Condition | Requirement |
| Planting surface | Dirt, sand, grass |
| Water proximity | Directly next to water |
| Light requirement | Any light level |
| Growth rate | Random tick updates |
Once you have at least 3 sugar cane, it’s time to get crafting.
How to make paper in Minecraft step by step?
Crafting paper in Minecraft is one of the simplest recipes, yet it unlocks powerful possibilities. If you’ve gathered sugar cane, you’re just moments away from learning how to make paper in Minecraft.
Now, let’s walk through each step to ensure your crafting success. This is ideal for players on any platform—including how to make paper in Minecraft PC, console, or mobile.
All you need is a crafting table and three sugar cane items.
Easy crafting guide for paper
To make paper:
- Open your crafting table (3×3 grid).
- Place 3 sugar cane horizontally across the middle row.
- Collect 3 sheets of paper from the output box.
That’s it! One of the easiest but most versatile recipes in the game.
Using commands in Creative Mode
If you’re playing in Creative Mode or want to test automation, you can also use commands. Just type:
/give @p minecraft:paper 64
This gives you a full stack of paper instantly.
Whether you’re crafting manually or testing advanced mechanics, knowing how to make a paper in Minecraft is a core survival skill.
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What is paper used for in Minecraft?
Now that you’ve crafted your first batch, let’s explore how paper powers your progression. Paper is not just a crafting material—it’s an enabler of knowledge, navigation, and enchantment.
Best uses for paper in Minecraft:
Here’s a quick list of items and features that depend on paper:
- Books – used to craft bookshelves and enchantment tables.
- Maps – lets you chart and save areas of your world.
- Fireworks – combine paper with gunpowder and firework stars.
- Banners – decorate your base or claim territory with customized visuals.
- Cartography Tables – expand and clone maps.
Paper also plays a role in trading and enchanting.
Can you trade paper in Minecraft?
Yes, and it’s a smart way to generate emeralds. Librarian villagers often offer emeralds in exchange for paper.
- Trade paper → earn emeralds
- Use emeralds → buy enchanted books or name tags
This system makes paper an essential part of Minecraft’s in-game economy, especially for those creating trading halls or automation.
Bonus: map wall crafting
Want to turn your explorations into art? Use maps crafted with paper to create an interactive map wall:
- Craft 9 maps
- Place them on item frames
- Arrange them based on your explored territory
This not only looks incredible but also helps with navigation and base planning.
Crafting paper might seem basic, but its applications make it a vital survival and trading resource. Whether you’re an explorer or an enchanter, how to make paper in Minecraft is a recipe every player should master.
How to grow sugar cane for crafting paper?
To craft paper consistently, you need a reliable sugar cane supply. Once you learn how to make paper in Minecraft, automating sugar cane becomes the next step for efficiency and scale.
Ideal growing conditions for sugar cane
Sugar cane only grows under specific conditions:
- Must be planted on dirt, sand, or grass blocks
- Must be directly next to water
- Grows up to 3 blocks high
- Doesn’t need sunlight—grows even in darkness
Tip: Sugar cane grows faster with more adjacent water. Build farms with multiple rows alongside water streams, and a composter can be really useful.
How to automate sugar cane farming
You can automate production with redstone components. Here’s a quick step-by-step:
- Lay out rows of sugar cane next to water.
- Place observers to detect when cane reaches 3 blocks.
- Add pistons beneath observers to break the top two segments.
- Use hoppers, water currents, or hopper minecarts to collect drops.
- Store output in chests for easy access.
This process ensures a passive, ongoing paper supply.
Suggested visual: Embed YouTube tutorial: “Fully Automatic Sugar Cane Farm for Java/Bedrock”
Where to find sugar cane in Minecraft?
Sugar cane generates naturally next to water in most biomes. Look for:
- Riverbanks
- Lake shores
- Coastal areas
It typically spawns in heights of 1–4 blocks and regenerates after harvesting if the bottom block is left in place.
Biome exceptions: Sugar cane rarely appears in deserts or snowy tundras.
Pro tip: Bring a boat when exploring—easier to scout shorelines for cane.
Can paper be crafted into maps?
Yes, and it’s one of the best uses for paper in the game. To craft an empty map:
- Combine 8 pieces of paper with 1 compass
- Place the compass in the center and surround it with paper in a crafting table
This will create an “Empty Locator Map.” Right-click to activate and begin mapping the area.
You can also use a Cartography Table to:
- Zoom out the map (up to 4x)
- Clone it for multiplayer coordination
- Lock it with a glass pane to freeze the view
Can you trade paper in Minecraft?
Yes. Trading with librarian villagers is one of the fastest early-game ways to get emeralds. Here’s how it works:
- Novice librarians offer: 24 paper → 1 emerald
- Higher-level trades include enchanted books and name tags
Create a trading hall to maximize returns. Pair with a sugar cane farm and rotate trades daily for efficient emerald farming.
Bonus tip: Use zombie curing tricks to lower trade costs permanently.
What is paper used for in Minecraft?
Beyond crafting, paper has broader gameplay implications. It supports both survival and creative strategies.
Uses for paper in survival mode:
- Books: essential for enchanting and crafting bookshelves
- Maps: exploration and map wall displays
- Fireworks: use with Elytra for flight boosts
- Banners: customize base flags
- Cartography Tables: enhance and edit maps
Advanced gameplay uses:
- Trade optimization: Emeralds via librarian trades
- Automation: sugar cane + trading hall = resource loop
- Navigation hubs: map walls, base layouts
These benefits highlight why learning how to make paper in Minecraft is more than just crafting—it’s strategic mastery.
Conclusion: Build smarter with optimized paper crafting
In conclusion, how to make paper in Minecraft is a core mechanic that unlocks creativity, progress, and survival upgrades. Whether you’re enchanting gear, building map rooms, or trading with villagers, paper is the link between ideas and implementation.
Don’t let lag interrupt your crafting. Use ExitLag to stabilize your connection and make every paper-fueled project smoother. From trading to exploring vast biomes, a fast connection keeps your game immersive and competitive.
Now that you already know how to make paper in minecraft, download ExitLag now to power up your Minecraft experience.
