Abstract: A method of forming a polymer-reinforced paper which includes preparing an aqueous suspension of fibers, at least about 50 percent, by dry weight, of which are cellulosic fibers; distributing the suspension on a forming wire; removing water from the distributed suspension to form a paper; and treating the paper thus formed with a polymer-reinforcing medium which contains a bulking agent to give the polymer-reinforced paper. The treatment of the paper is adapted to provide in the polymer-reinforced paper from about 15 to about 70 percent, by weight, of bulking agent, based on the dry weight of the cellulosic fibers in the paper. Alternatively, the bulking agent can be added to a polymer-reinforced paper after it has been formed. In certain embodiments, the bulking agent is a polyhydric alcohol. In other embodiments, the bulking agent is a polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight in the range of from about 100 to about 1,500.