Papirus: The Ultimate Icon Theme for Your Desktop

What is Papirus?

Papirus is a free and open-source SVG icon theme for Linux, based on the Paper Icon Set. It offers a modern and visually appealing design that enhances the overall look and feel of your desktop environment. Papirus is known for its pixel-perfect icons, which are meticulously crafted to provide a consistent and cohesive appearance across various applications and system components.

Features and Components

Papirus comes with a plethora of features and components that make it a popular choice among Linux users. Some of the key features include:

- Hardcode-Tray Support: Papirus includes support for hardcoded tray icons, ensuring that all tray icons match the overall theme.

- KDE Colorscheme Support: The theme integrates seamlessly with KDE's color schemes, allowing users to customize the appearance of their desktop to match their preferences.

- Folder Color Support: Papirus offers a variety of folder colors, enabling users to organize their files and directories visually.

- Multiple Variants: The theme is available in five variants: Papirus (base variant), Papirus Dark (for dark themes), Papirus Light (for light themes), ePapirus (for elementary OS and Pantheon Desktop, light theme), and ePapirus Dark (for elementary OS and Pantheon Desktop, dark theme).

Supported Platforms

Papirus is designed to work on a wide range of platforms, including:

- Linux: Papirus is compatible with various Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch Linux, and more.

- BSD: The theme can be installed on BSD-based systems, such as FreeBSD and OpenBSD.

- Unix: Papirus is also compatible with Unix-based systems, providing a consistent look and feel across different environments.

- Independent Distributions: The theme can be installed on independent distributions, ensuring that users can enjoy the benefits of Papirus regardless of their chosen operating system.

Changelog of the Latest Version (20250201)

The latest version of Papirus, 20250201, includes several new icons, updates, and fixes. Some of the highlights are:

- Added Icons: New icons for various applications and system components, including Konversation (tray icons), KTorrent (tray icon), RedShift (tray icons), and more.

- Updated Icons: Improved and updated icons for existing applications, such as freeCAD, MAME, and Notesnook.

- Changes and Fixes: Various bug fixes and improvements, including fixed JSOM icon and updated README.md file.

How to Install Papirus

Installing Papirus is straightforward and can be done using different methods depending on your operating system.

For BSD Systems:

1. FreeBSD:

sh
pkg install papirus-icon-theme

2. OpenBSD:

sh
doas pkg_add papirus-icon-theme

For Linux Distributions:

1. Ubuntu and Derivatives:

sh
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:papirus/papirus
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install papirus-icon-theme
sudo apt-get install epapirus-icon-theme (for elementary OS and Pantheon Desktop only)

2. Debian and Derivatives:

sh
sudo sh -c "echo 'deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/papirus/papirus/ubuntu jammy main' > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/papirus-ppa.list"
sudo wget -qO /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/papirus-ppa.asc 'https://keyserver.ubuntu.com/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0x9461999446FAF0DF770BFC9AE58A9D36647CAE7F'
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install papirus-icon-theme

3. Fedora:

sh
sudo dnf install papirus-icon-theme

4. Arch Linux:

sh
sudo pacman -S papirus-icon-theme

5. Unix/Independent Distributions:

sh
wget -qO- https://git.io/papirus-icon-theme-install | sh

6. Available in the official Snap Store.

Official Papirus Recommendations

For users of the Papirus icon theme, here are some recommendations to enhance your experience:

1. Install Breeze: If you use Plasma and/or any KDE applications, it's recommended to have the Breeze icon theme installed. Similarly, for ePapirus users on the Pantheon desktop, having the Elementary icon theme installed is beneficial.

2. GTK Themes: For a cohesive look, consider using GTK themes like Arc or Materia with Papirus icons.

3. KDE Plasma 5 Themes: For KDE Plasma 5 users, Arc KDE and Materia KDE are recommended themes to pair with Papirus icons.

4. Hardcoded Icons: Use the hardcode-fixer tool to deal with hardcoded application icons and ensure a consistent look across all applications.

5. Folder Colors: Utilize the folder color feature to organize your files visually. For KDE users, the dolphin-folder-color tool can be used to change individual folder colors.

6. Manual Fixes: Depending on your desktop environment, you might need to apply some manual fixes. For example, Pop!_OS, Cinnamon, GNOME Shell, Xfce, elementary/Pantheon, and LXQt users may need to follow specific instructions to ensure full compatibility.

7. Contribute: If you have design skills or ideas, consider contributing to the Papirus project by creating new icons, resolving issues, or improving documentation.

By following these recommendations, you can make the most out of the Papirus icon theme and enjoy a visually appealing and consistent desktop environment.

Comparison with Other Popular Icon Themes

Papirus stands out among other popular icon themes due to its unique features and design. Here are some comparisons with other well-known icon themes:

1. Papirus vs. Numix:

- Design: Papirus offers a more modern and flat design compared to Numix, which has a slightly more traditional look.

- Customization: Both themes offer customization options, but Papirus provides more variants and folder color options.

2. Papirus vs. Adwaita:

- Design: Adwaita is the default GNOME icon theme and has a more conservative design. Papirus, on the other hand, offers a more vibrant and visually appealing design.

- Compatibility: Papirus is compatible with a wider range of desktop environments and distributions compared to Adwaita.

3. Papirus vs. Moka:

- Design: Moka has a minimalist design, while Papirus offers a more detailed and comprehensive set of icons.

- Updates: Papirus receives more frequent updates and improvements compared to Moka.

Conclusion

Papirus is an excellent choice for users looking to enhance the visual appeal of their desktop environment. With its modern design, extensive customization options, and compatibility with various platforms, Papirus stands out as one of the best icon themes available. Whether you are using Linux, BSD, Unix, or an independent distribution, Papirus provides a consistent and cohesive look that will elevate your desktop experience.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. The Distrowrite Project is not paid to endorse or promote any specific software or product. Users are encouraged to conduct their own research and make informed decisions based on their individual needs and preferences.

References

1. GitHub - PapirusDevelopmentTeam/papirus-icon-theme: Pixel perfect icon theme for Linux

2. The Paper Icon Set (Archived)

3. Numix Icon Theme

4. Adwaita Icon Theme

5. Moka Icon Theme (Archived)

6. FreshPorts -- x11-themes/papirus-icon-theme

7. papirus-icon-theme package versions - Repology

8. Snapcraft - icon-theme-papirus