Is the lifespan in a paper a subjective parameter? We would say yes, because a paper will not just break or “die” of old age after a certain point. However, all paper will age over time, and this will become obvious from two main aspects, yellowing and decreased strength. The effect of this will be that at some point, you will think the printed matter is not as fresh as you would like it to be. In your planning of a production, you should normally consider the time the paper is required to stay fresh. For example, a direct mail just needs a few days, but an advertising brochure may need a year or two. Whereas a schoolbook, a cookbook or a novel should be able to be passed on to future generations.