Paperlike
Paperlike is a Germany-based direct-to-consumer e-commerce company that designs and sells premium iPad screen protectors and Apple Pencil accessories, anchored by its proprietary Nanodots paper-feel technology and serving a global base of digital artists, notetakers, students, and creative professionals through paperlike.com.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersHamburg, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Paperlike does
Paperlike is a Germany-based direct-to-consumer e-commerce company that designs, sells, and ships iPad accessories, anchored by a proprietary paper-feel screen protector originally launched on Kickstarter in 2017. The founder-led business, headed by Jan Sapper, is registered in Germany with operations in Hamburg and Berlin, and reports 11–50 employees. Its core product, the Paperlike 3 screen protector, uses trademarked Nanodots surface technology — engineered microbeads that add friction and haptic feedback to Apple Pencil strokes — together with a patent-pending Butterfly Application system for bubble-free installation. Hardware is engineered in Germany and manufactured in Switzerland; the product stack is ultra-thin (under 0.095mm) and compatible with all current iPad models and Apple Pencil generations.
The company monetizes exclusively through paperlike.com in 17+ currencies and 35+ countries, selling premium-priced hardware (e.g., $49.99 for a 2-pack of screen protectors, $19.99 for a 4-pack of Pencil Tips marketed as 10x more durable than standard Apple tips, $54.99–$64.99 for cases, $24.99 for a refillable Cleaning Kit) and digital goods (Pro Planner $12.99, Pro Journal $6.99, plus free lead-magnet downloads). GTM is content-led: a 300,000+ subscriber newsletter, an extensive blog and Procreate/notetaking app guides, creator partnerships with artists such as Harrison Howe and Jimbo Bernaus, and free digital planners and brush sets drive top-of-funnel acquisition and retention.
Customers are segmented horizontally across digital artists and illustrators, notetakers and students, creative professionals (including tattoo artists), and general iPad users, with a stated 2.4M+ cumulative customer base and a 1.7% return rate against a 100-day satisfaction guarantee. There are no disclosed external funding rounds, no B2B/enterprise channel, and no marketplace presence — all revenue flows through the owned online storefront and a deliberately premium, content-anchored brand experience.
Paperlike firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Paperlike
- Legal name
- Unknown - legal entity name not explicitly stated in available sources. The Shopify store is registered under 'sapper-products.myshopify.com' suggesting possible entity name 'Sapper Products' or similar, but no formal legal name was found in the footer, terms of service, or other legal pages.
- Website
- https://paperlike.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Paperlike is a Germany-based direct-to-consumer e-commerce company that designs and sells premium iPad screen protectors and Apple Pencil accessories, anchored by its proprietary Nanodots paper-feel technology and serving a global base of digital artists, notetakers, students, and creative professionals through paperlike.com.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Paperlike industry classification
Industry- Product category
- iPad Accessories
- NAICS
- Converted Paper Product Manufacturing (3222), Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing (322220)
- SIC
- Unsupported Plastics Film & Sheet (3081)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Tablet Accessories (Keyboards, Styluses, Cases, Screen Protectors, Docks) (CRACAMAJ)
Keywords
Where Paperlike is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hamburg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Paperlike business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Hardware Product Sales: One-time purchase of physical accessories including screen protectors, pencil grips, pencil tips, cleaning kits, and iPad cases sold directly through e-commerce. Products are premium-priced with perceived quality justifying higher price point. Bundle discounts (15% off) drive larger orders.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Paperlike™ 3 Screen Protector 2-Pack |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Paperlike Pencil Tips 4-Pack |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Paperlike Cleaning Kit (Refillable) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Paperlike Bumper Case |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Paperlike Folio Case |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Paperlike Pencil Grips |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Paperlike Pro Journal |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Paperlike Pro Planner |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Paperlike Drawing Glove |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Paperlike product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Paperlike manufactures and sells premium iPad screen protectors featuring proprietary Nanodots surface technology that uses tiny microbeads to emulate the tactile sensation of writing or drawing on paper when using an Apple Pencil. The company sells exclusively through its own direct-to-consumer e-commerce store (paperlike.com) and complements its flagship screen protector with related accessories including replacement pencil tips, pencil grips, iPad cases, cleaning kits, drawing gloves, and digital planning templates.
Product overview
Paperlike is a manufacturer of iPad accessories centered around its flagship paper-feel screen protector technology. The product portfolio comprises three tiers: (1) core products — Paperlike™ 3 iPad Screen Protector with proprietary Nanodots surface technology; (2) complementary accessories — Pencil Grips, Pencil Tips (10x durable), Cleaning Kit, Drawing Glove, Folio Case, and Bumper Case; and (3) free digital goods — Pro Planner, Pro Journal, Digital Planner Lite, 15-Day Mindfulness Method journal, 10 Ways to Study ebook, Procreate brush sets, and wallpapers. All products are engineered in Germany and manufactured in Switzerland. The company was founded in 2017 via Kickstarter and serves approximately 2.4 million customers worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Paperlike 3 iPad Screen Protector A paper-feel screen protector for iPad that uses proprietary Nanodots surface technology to replicate the sensation of writing on high-quality Japanese paper. Features the Butterfly Application system for bubble-free installation and is compatible with all Apple Pencil generations. Sold as a 2-pack priced at $49.99.
- Paperlike Pencil Tips Replacement tips for Apple Pencil that are 10x more durable than standard Apple tips, designed to increase friction and paper-feel when used with Paperlike screen protectors or nano-texture displays. Sold as a 4-pack for $19.99.
- Paperlike Pencil Grips Silicone grips that slide onto Apple Pencil to enhance comfort and control during extended writing or drawing sessions. Compatible with all Apple Pencil generations including magnetic charging and Double Tap gesture. Sold as a set of two for $19.99.
- Paperlike Cleaning Kit Refillable cleaning solution kit for iPad screens featuring an all-in-one compact design with microfiber-wrapped spray bottle. Provides up to 500 cleaning sessions with included refill pellets and helps maintain Nanodots texture and haptic feedback. Priced at $24.99.
- Paperlike Drawing Glove Fingerless polyester glove designed to prevent palm rejection issues and eliminate skin oil buildup on iPad screens during drawing sessions. Available in small, medium, and large sizes, fits either hand, and is machine washable.
- Paperlike Folio Case Polyurethane and microfiber iPad case with magnetic closure that converts to two viewing angles (watching mode and writing/drawing mode). Features automatic wake/sleep function and secure Apple Pencil storage. Priced from $64.99 depending on iPad model.
- Paperlike Bumper Case Rubber bumper case with fabric exterior that mimics cotton bookbinding. Provides protection against bumps and drops while featuring an oversized magnetic flap to secure Apple Pencil. Priced from $54.99 depending on iPad model.
- Paperlike Pro Planner Annual digital planner for iPad that helps manage time with monthly and weekly pages plus daily task tracking. Works with Goodnotes, Notability, and other popular notetaking apps. Priced at $12.99.
- Paperlike Pro Journal Digital journaling template designed for iPad use with popular notetaking applications. Priced at $6.99.
- Paperlike x Good Wilhelm iPad Sleeve Co-branded iPad sleeve made from 100% sustainably sourced materials including MIRUM vegetable-based leather and merino wool lining. Features Apple Pencil holder and water-resistant exterior. Available in 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes fitting iPad Pro.
Quantifiable outcome
- Only 1.7% of customers request refunds despite 100-day guarantee
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Paperlike
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Paperlike technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Paperlike partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Good WilhelmminorCo-branded iPad sleeve collaboration with Good Wilhelm. Product made from 100% sustainably sourced materials including MIRUM plant-based leather and merino wool lining. Available in 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes fitting iPad Pro and compatible with Paperlike cases and Pencil with grip attached.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Paperlike competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Speck Products: Established consumer tablet and phone case maker with broad retail distribution; competes in iPad protection but without the paper-feel specialty that anchors Paperlike's differentiation.
- Zagg (InvisibleShield): Long-established screen protector brand with broad retail presence; InvisibleShield makes film and glass screen protectors across phones and tablets, competing with Paperlike in the iPad screen protection category but without Paperlike's focused paper-feel specialization.
- Logitech: Major producer of Made for iPad accessories including keyboards (Logitech Combo Touch), styluses, and cases; an established incumbent in the iPad productivity category that overlaps with Paperlike's creators and note-takers segments.
- OtterBox: Large protective accessories brand with broad iPad case coverage and presence in carrier and retail channels; while not focused on paper-feel protectors, it competes in the iPad protection ecosystem that Paperlike participates in.
- Belkin: Major Apple-aligned accessories manufacturer producing iPad keyboards, cases, stylus accessories, and screen protectors; competes with Paperlike across its broader accessory portfolio through retail and online channels.
Direct peers
- ESR: DTC-leaning accessories brand with strong iPad focus, offering cases, screen protectors, and chargers; competes directly for the same Apple ecosystem creator and student customers as Paperlike.
- Baseus: Also cited in the QY Research report as a paper-like film market player; Baseus is a broad consumer electronics accessories brand offering iPad cases, screen protectors, and stylus accessories globally.
- Ugreen: Named in the same QY Research market report as a key player in the paper-like film category; Ugreen is a much larger Chinese accessories brand offering screen protectors, chargers, and tablet peripherals at competitive prices with broad retail distribution.
- Mocoll: Direct paper-feel screen protector competitor identified alongside Paperlike, also serving iPad and tablet users looking for paper-like texture for stylus input.
- Benks: Identified alongside Paperlike as a key player in the paper-like film market; Benks makes iPhone and iPad screen protectors, cases, and accessories with a strong focus on premium materials at lower price points than Paperlike.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Paperlike social profiles
Digital presencePaperlike financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Paperlike leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Paperlike funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Paperlike M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Paperlike
What does Paperlike do?
Paperlike manufactures and sells premium iPad screen protectors featuring proprietary Nanodots surface technology that uses tiny microbeads to emulate the tactile sensation of writing or drawing on paper when using an Apple Pencil. The company sells exclusively through its own direct-to-consumer e-commerce store (paperlike.com) and complements its flagship screen protector with related accessories including replacement pencil tips, pencil grips, iPad cases, cleaning kits, drawing gloves, and digital planning templates.
Is Paperlike a public or private company?
Paperlike is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Paperlike founded?
Paperlike was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Paperlike based?
Paperlike is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Paperlike make money?
One revenue line is on record: hardware Product Sales.
Who are Paperlike's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Speck Products, Zagg (InvisibleShield), Logitech, OtterBox and Belkin. Direct peers are ESR, Baseus, Ugreen, Mocoll and Benks.
Does Paperlike have an API?
No public API is recorded for Paperlike.
What industry is Paperlike in?
Paperlike's product category is iPad Accessories. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAMAJ, Tablet Accessories (Keyboards, Styluses, Cases, Screen Protectors, Docks). Its NAICS code is 3222 and its SIC code is 3081.