A method and apparatus for the holding of paper rolls in printing devices, e.g., facsimile machines, which includes a housing for accommodating the paper roll, the housing comprising parallel and substantially flat first and second housing endplates along a longitudinal axis; first and second paper roll supports adapted to fit first and second ends of the paper roll, respectively, the first and second paper roll supports flexibly coupled to the first and second housing endplates; and first and second springs for pressing the first and second paper roll supports against the first and second ends of the paper roll, respectively, to compressively hold the paper roll when the paper roll is inserted in the holder, the first spring coupled between the first housing endplate and the first paper roll support, and the second spring coupled between the second housing endplate and the second paper roll support.