phrasal
1. : in writing or print
the act of putting ideas on paper seems to distort our perspectives — E.S.McCartney
get the agreement down on paper
2. : in theory as distinguished from fact, practice, accomplishment, or probable outcome
the plan looks good on paper
3. : in the planning stage
a project that is still on paper
university, which had existed on paper for five years — American Guide Series: Washington
4. : figured at face value : nominally
on paper he was worth nearly $1,000,000 — Gladwin Hill
5. of a postage stamp : remaining on the cover or on a piece of the cover on which it was used