Abstract: Disclosed are a papermaking method comprising the steps of sheet-formation of an aqueous papermaking stock which contains a cellulose fiber or the said fiber and an inorganic filler, dewatering and drying, charaacterized by the addition of a starch ether derivative of a general formula (I): ##STR1## where St--O represents a starch molecule residue, R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 independently represent an alkyl group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms or a benzyl group, provided that two or more of these R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 must not be a benzyl group or an alkyl group having from 5 to 18 carbon atoms at the same time, and any two of these R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 may be bonded to form a cyclic structure, the said derivative containing the ether bond preferably in a degree of substitution of from 0.01 from 0.1, to the said papermaking stock in an amount of from 0.05 to 5.