Exhibit 99.1


                        WAUSAU PAPER PROMOTES CRAVEN TO
                   SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, PRINTING & WRITING


MOSINEE, Wis....SEPT. 30, 2004...Wausau Paper (NYSE:WPP) announced today that
its Board of Directors has elected Thomas W. Craven to the position of senior
vice president in charge of the company's Printing & Writing segment.

"Tom Craven brings strong leadership skills and a track record of impressive
results to his new assignment," said Thomas J. Howatt, president and chief
executive officer of Wausau Paper.  "His accomplishments in leading Printing &
Writing's cost-control efforts helped us to cushion the significant downturn in
the uncoated freesheet markets, and his knowledge and understanding of the
premium uncoated paper business will benefit Wausau Paper as we focus on
continued growth in this market segment."

Craven, 50, a 25-year veteran of the industry, joined Wausau Paper in 1991 and
most recently served as vice president-operations, Printing & Writing, where he
was responsible for manufacturing facilities in Brokaw and Appleton, Wis.,
Groveton, NH, and distribution operations in Dallas and Los Angeles.  Craven
led the recent acid-free papermaking conversion at the Brokaw mill and
drove highly successful cost-reduction efforts at all Printing & Writing
operations.  Craven previously served as vice president-operations at the
Groveton mill and was instrumental in developing the facility's potential as a
premium paper supplier.

Wausau Paper produces fine printing and writing papers, technical specialty
papers, and "away-from-home" towel and tissue products.