Exhibit 99.1

 WAUSAU PAPER ANNOUNCES REVISED EARNINGS ESTIMATE,
           PRINTING & WRITING DOWNTIME


MOSINEE, WIS..DECEMBER 21, 2005..Wausau Paper (NYSE:WPP) today announced
revised fourth-quarter earnings guidance, primarily reflecting weaker-than-
expected Printing & Writing results.

For the fourth quarter ending December 31, the Company is projecting losses of
$0.13 - $0.15 per share, excluding timberland sales gains and charges related
to the closure of its sulfite pulp mill in Brokaw, Wisconsin.  The Company had
earlier anticipated near-breakeven results on the same basis.

The majority of the earnings shortfall is attributable to further weakness in
uncoated freesheet markets, reducing Printing & Writing segment sales and
resulting in downtime at two of its three paper mills.  Beginning December 24,
the Company plans to take nine days of downtime at each of its Printing &
Writing mills in Brokaw and Groveton, New Hampshire.  Also contributing to the
revised guidance are operating difficulties associated with the sulfite pulp
mill closure at Brokaw and a $0.02 per share charge related to the disposal of
two idle laminators at Specialty Products.

On a GAAP basis, fourth-quarter net losses of $0.20 - $0.23 per share are
expected compared with third-quarter net losses of $0.18 per share.

"While disappointed with the performance of our Printing & Writing business, we
remain optimistic about our long-term prospects," said Thomas J. Howatt,
president and CEO.  "We continue to take a disciplined approach to managing our
Printing & Writing business, taking approximately 18,000 tons of production
downtime during the quarter.  Printing & Writing results are expected to
improve as the benefits of recently announced price increases and restructuring
initiatives are fully realized."

Wausau Paper produces fine printing and writing papers, technical specialty
papers, and "away-from-home" towel and tissue products.  To learn more about
Wausau products go to www.wausaupaper.com.

SAFE HARBOR UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995: The
matters discussed in this news release concerning the Company's future
performance or anticipated financial results are forward-looking statements and
are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Reform Act of
1995.  Such statements involve risks and uncertainties which may cause results
to differ materially from those set forth in these statements.  Among other
things, these risks and uncertainties include the strength of the economy and
demand for paper products, increases in raw material and energy prices,
manufacturing problems at Company facilities, and other risks and assumptions
described in Item 1 of the company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2004.  The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-
looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events.
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