diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py b/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
index c07ad692451e..54e974991854 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
@@ -2105,6 +2105,12 @@ def print_figure(
         if dpi == 'figure':
             dpi = getattr(self.figure, '_original_dpi', self.figure.dpi)
 
+        if kwargs.get("papertype") == 'auto':
+            # When deprecation elapses, remove backend_ps._get_papertype & its callers.
+            _api.warn_deprecated(
+                "3.8", name="papertype='auto'", addendum="Pass an explicit paper type, "
+                "'figure', or omit the *papertype* argument entirely.")
+
         # Remove the figure manager, if any, to avoid resizing the GUI widget.
         with cbook._setattr_cm(self, manager=None), \
              self._switch_canvas_and_return_print_method(format, backend) \
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_ps.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_ps.py
index b59c571809d1..8d09fc1fe733 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_ps.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_ps.py
@@ -867,9 +867,6 @@ def _print_figure(
         # find the appropriate papertype
         width, height = self.figure.get_size_inches()
         if papertype == 'auto':
-            _api.warn_deprecated("3.8", name="papertype='auto'",
-                                 addendum="Pass an explicit paper type, 'figure', or "
-                                 "omit the *papertype* argument entirely.")
             papertype = _get_papertype(*orientation.swap_if_landscape((width, height)))
 
         if is_eps or papertype == 'figure':
@@ -1053,9 +1050,6 @@ def _print_figure_tex(
                     self.figure.get_size_inches())
             else:
                 if papertype == 'auto':
-                    _api.warn_deprecated("3.8", name="papertype='auto'",
-                                         addendum="Pass an explicit paper type, or "
-                                         "omit the *papertype* argument entirely.")
                     papertype = _get_papertype(width, height)
                 paper_width, paper_height = papersize[papertype]