The National Union of Printing, Bookbinding, Machine Ruling and Paper Workers was formed in 1921 by the amalgamation of the National Union of Printing and Paper Workers and the National Union of Bookbinders and Machine Rulers. In 1928, it shortened its name to the National Union of Printing, Bookbinding and Paper Workers. It absorbed the Amalgamated Society of Paper Makers in 1937.

In 1966 it entered into a merger with the National Society of Operative Printers and Assistants to form Division A of the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades (SOGAT). The aim was to achieve a complete merger over time, but differences led to in-fighting and in 1972 the two divisions split. Division A became simply the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades (SOGAT).

The union had branches throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Unlike most other unions of the times, it admitted women as members.

Superannuated members

From 1926 to 1938, superannuated (pensioned) members are listed every year in the annual reports (MSS.39/SO/4/1/2-5). Until 1932, however, this only includes members in the Bookbinding Section (i.e. former members of the National Union of Bookbinders and Machine Rulers) and not the Printing and Papermill Section (i.e. former members of the National Union of Printing and Paper Workers).

Superannuated members are listed by branch and no information is given other than their name and whether they have died during the year.

Convalescent home admissions

The union took over the National Union of Printing and Paper Workers' convalescent home at Carshalton. It moved to Hastings in 1926 and Bexhill in 1958.

The Modern Records Centre holds admissions registers for men (MSS.39/SO/6/CH/9-10) and women (MSS.39/SO/6/CH/11-12), covering the entire existence of the union to 1972. Members are listed by date of admission and the information includes name, branch, address, date of leaving, age (1957-1958 only), weight on admission and leaving, and brief notes on the nature of the patient's condition. From 1930 these registers are indexed by name.

Note that there are no details of admissions to the union's other two convalescent homes at Filey and Ayr.