How to Paper Tune Your Arrows for Optimal Accuracy

Struggling to hit consistent groups? Frustrated by arrows that won’t fly straight? Paper tuning is the secret weapon of serious bow hunters—yet it’s simple enough for beginners. I’ve used this method for years to quickly diagnose issues with arrow flight and bow setup. As a lifelong bowhunter and gear tester, I trust paper tuning to deliver confidence and accuracy in the field.

In fact, paper tuning is a critical part of properly setting up any bow. If you skip this step, you’ll likely face confusing accuracy issues down the road. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that an incorrect arrow spine, whether from choosing the wrong spine or due to dynamic spine issues, can prevent you from getting perfect bullet holes in paper.

Here’s everything you need to know—step by step and easy to follow.

Why Paper Tune?

When you shoot an arrow through paper, it leaves behind a clear pattern showing exactly how it traveled. This helps you see if your arrow is flying straight or if it’s wobbling or tilting. Issues like arrows porpoising (moving up and down) or fishtailing (moving side to side) tell you something is off.

By paper tuning, you can catch and correct these problems early, making you a better and more confident shooter.

Pre-Paper Tuning Checklist

Make sure your bow and arrows are ready for tuning:

• Bowstring & Cables: Check they’re not worn or damaged.
• Arrow Rest: Ensure it’s securely mounted and not touching your arrow’s fletchings.
• Draw Length: Confirm you’re shooting with your correct draw length.
• Arrow Spine: Match the arrow spine to your bow’s poundage and draw length.
• Form & Grip: Shoot consistently with the same stance, anchor point, and relaxed grip.
• Fletchings: Check for damage or unusual wear, indicating contact issues.
• Cam Timing: Verify your cams rotate evenly (if applicable).
• Bow Specs: Confirm your bow matches manufacturer’s specs (brace height, axle-to-axle).

Required Tools

Here are some tools that can be helpful for paper tuning:

1. Paper tuning stand – this is a stand that holds the sheet of paper in place and allows you to shoot arrows through it at a consistent distance. Check out the system I use here.
2. Target paper – a large sheet of paper that can be hung from the tuning stand and used for shooting arrows through. You can use almost anything, including newspaper.
3. Bowstring level – a tool used to ensure that the bowstring is level and properly aligned with the arrow. I use this Hamskea level for this and for leveling my bow sight.
4. Level or straight edge – a tool used to check the alignment of the bowstring and arrow nock.
5. Measuring tape or ruler – to measure the distance between the tuning stand and the target paper.
6. Allen wrenches – to adjust the arrow rest, bow sight, and other equipment as needed. I recommend the Pine Ridge Allen Wrench combo for all bow maintenance. Check prices here.
7. Pencil or Marker – for marking the paper and the target to track your results.

While not all of these tools are strictly necessary, they can help to make the paper tuning process more accurate and efficient. Many archery shops have paper tuning setups available for use, so it may not be necessary to purchase all of these tools yourself. However, having your own tools can be useful for practicing at home or making adjustments on the fly while in the field.

The Paper Tuning Process

Follow the steps below to go through the paper tuning process. Then, in the section below, analyze your results, make corrections, and then work through the process again.

1. Set up your bow and target: First, set up your bow and target in a safe and secure location. Make sure you have enough space to shoot several arrows without hitting anything around you.
2. Prepare the paper: Take your target paper (butcher paper or newsprint work well) and attach it to whatever you are using as a paper tuning stand. Make sure the paper is large enough to catch the entire arrow as it passes through before hitting your target. Make sure your paper is taught so the arrow flies straight through and provides you with the details you need.
3. Mark the center of the paper: Using a pencil or marker, mark the center of the paper. This will help you determine if the arrow is hitting the target consistently.
4. Shoot an arrow through the paper: Stand about 6-8 feet away from the target and shoot an arrow through the center of the paper. Make sure you shoot the arrow straight and level. Don’t worry about hitting the bullseye of the target behind it at this point.
5. Analyze the hole: Examine the resulting hole in the paper. Look for tears, folds, or other anomalies in the hole. Ideally, the hole should be perfectly round and symmetrical.
6. Adjust your arrow rest: If the hole in the paper is not perfectly round or symmetrical, it may indicate that your arrow rest is not properly adjusted. Try adjusting the rest up or down, left or right, until you achieve a perfectly round hole.
7. Adjust your nocking point: If the hole in the paper is consistently angled in one direction (for example, always higher on the left side), it may indicate that your nocking point is not properly adjusted. Try adjusting the nocking point up or down until you achieve a perfectly symmetrical hole.
8. Repeat the process: Shoot several more arrows through the paper, making adjustments as needed to achieve a perfect, symmetrical hole. Continue to shoot and adjust until you are consistently getting a perfect hole.
9. Fine-tune your bow: Once you have achieved a perfect hole, you can fine-tune your bow by adjusting your sights or rest for greater accuracy. You can also experiment with different arrow types or weights to see if they affect your arrow’s flight.

Making Adjustments: Analyzing Tear Patterns

When paper tuning, an archer should look for specific tear patterns in the paper that indicate what adjustments need to be made to their bow and arrow setup. Use the picture above for a graphic representation of the tear patterns listed below.

Here’s how to quickly read and correct your arrow holes:

• High Tear (hole above fletching marks):
  • Move your arrow rest down or raise your nocking point slightly.
• Low Tear (hole below fletching marks):
  • Move your arrow rest up or lower your nocking point slightly.
• Left Tear (hole left of fletching marks, for right-handed shooters):
  • Move arrow rest slightly towards the riser (bow center).
  • If the problem persists, see “Cam Lean and Shims” below.
• Right Tear (hole right of fletching marks, for right-handed shooters):
  • Move arrow rest slightly away from the riser.
  • If this doesn’t fix it, consider cam lean adjustments or dynamic spine tuning.

It’s important to note that making adjustments to your bow and arrow setup should be done in small increments. Make a small adjustment, shoot another arrow through the paper, and observe the tear pattern again. Repeat this process until the tear pattern is symmetrical and you achieve optimal accuracy.

By looking for these specific tear patterns and making the necessary adjustments to your bow and arrow setup, you can ensure that your arrows are flying accurately and consistently, increasing your chances of success in the field.

READ: How to Fine-Tune Your Arrows Using Different Field Point Weights

When Arrow Rest Adjustments Don’t Help: Cam Lean and Shims

If you adjust your rest multiple times and still get consistent left or right tears, your bow’s cam might be leaning:

• Check Cam Lean: Hold an arrow shaft or ruler against your cam’s side. Any tilt or gap means cam lean.
• Fixing Cam Lean: Most modern bows let you correct this by adding small washers called shims. Shimming adjusts cam position slightly left or right.
  • Left tear: Shim your cam slightly right.
  • Right tear: Shim your cam slightly left.

Make small adjustments, shooting again after each step.

If Tears Persist: Dynamic Spine Issues

If you’ve tried rest adjustments and correcting cam lean but still see issues, your arrow’s spine might be incorrect. Spine refers to how stiff or flexible an arrow is when shot.

• Weak Spine (usually right tear):
  • Use a stiffer arrow, shorten arrow length slightly, or reduce the point weight.
• Stiff Spine (usually left tear):
  • Use a slightly weaker arrow, lengthen your arrow, or increase the point weight.

For detailed guidance on choosing the correct arrow spine and point weight, check out Part 5 of my Performance Arrow Build Series.

Common Paper Tuning Errors

There are a few common errors that can occur during paper tuning or mistakes that people make when trying to diagnose a problem with their arrow flight:

1. Not shooting consistently: One of the most common errors during paper tuning is not shooting consistently. In order to get an accurate read on the tear pattern, you need to shoot each arrow the same way every time. Inconsistent shooting can lead to inconsistent tear patterns, which can make it difficult to diagnose the root cause of the problem.
2. Torqued grip: A torqued grip can affect the accuracy and consistency of your shots, which can in turn affect the tear pattern when paper tuning. A torqued grip occurs when the bow hand twists or rotates during the shot, which can cause the bow to torque or twist as well. This can lead to inconsistent arrow flight and erratic tear patterns when paper tuning.
3. Fletching contact with the rest: Sometimes, the fletchings of an arrow may make contact with the rest during flight, which can cause erratic arrow flight and a misleading tear pattern. It’s important to make sure that your rest is properly set up and that there is no contact between the fletchings and the rest.
4. Not accounting for wind or other environmental factors: Wind and other environmental factors can have a big impact on arrow flight, and can cause the arrow to behave differently than it would in still conditions. When paper tuning, it’s important to take into account any environmental factors that may be affecting your shots.
5. Improper bow setup: Finally, if your bow is not set up properly, it can lead to inconsistent arrow flight and a misleading tear pattern. Before paper tuning, make sure that your bow is properly set up and that all components are functioning correctly.

To avoid these common errors and mistakes, it’s important to shoot consistently, ensure that your equipment is properly set up, and account for any environmental factors that may be affecting your shots. With a little practice and attention to detail, you can achieve accurate and consistent arrow flight.

Quick Troubleshooting Guide

Follow this easy progression:

1. Adjust Arrow Rest/Nocking Point →
2. Check Cam Lean & Shim if needed →
3. Adjust Arrow Spine if persistent problems remain

Final Tips

• Shoot multiple arrows after each adjustment to confirm the result.
• Use aerosol foot powder on your arrow’s fletchings to quickly see if there’s rest or cable contact.

For more detailed advice, don’t forget to explore the Performance Arrow Build Series and other guides available on my site.

Conclusion

To ensure accurate results when paper tuning, proper shooting form, and a consistent release are critical. Try shooting each arrow a number of times to make sure that you are getting a consistent reading. Additionally, spraying your vanes with aerosol foot powder can help you identify any vane contact with the arrow rest, which can cause erratic arrow flight and inaccurate paper tear readings.

While paper tuning can be time-consuming, it can pay big dividends in accuracy for bow hunters. By following these guidelines and making the necessary adjustments to your setup, you can ensure your arrows are flying true and increase your chances of success in the field.

Related Bowhunting FAQs

Why Are My Arrows Hitting Left?

If your arrows are hitting left, do not immediately move the sight and call it fixed. First check your form, grip torque, rest alignment, paper tune, broadhead tune, and whether the arrow spine matches the bow. For a right-handed shooter, consistent left impact can come from sight adjustment, grip pressure, rest position, cam lean, or tuning issues. Make one change at a time and prove it with groups.

Why Are My Arrows Hitting to the Right?

If your arrows are hitting right, work through the same process before making big sight changes. Confirm your grip, anchor point, rest position, paper tune, and arrow spine. A consistent right miss can be a simple sight adjustment, but it can also point to form, rest movement, cam lean, or dynamic spine problems. Diagnose the cause before moving everything around.

How Far Should the Arrow Rest Be From the Riser?

Start with the manufacturer’s recommended center-shot measurement for your bow, then tune from there. On many compound bows, the rest will end up close to the center of the riser shelf, but the exact distance is not something I would set by a generic number alone. Set the rest square, confirm arrow clearance, then use paper tuning and broadhead tuning to prove the arrow is leaving the bow cleanly.