Paper Making

June 4, 2008 4:26 pm Paper Crafts, Techniques and Mediums, Trends

Handmade paper adds a special touch to any paper project.
Especially when you add a flower or leaf from your own yard.

Supplies Needed

Paper: Almost any paper you can tear easily and recycle including: envelopes, copier paper, and mail order catalogs.
Blender: Filled 3/4 full of water
Paper Making Pour Mold: This is a 2-part mold made up of a wood frame and ultra fine screen.
Couch Sheets: Highly absorbent paper used to remove excess water from hand made paper. You can substitute plain newsprint, but you’ll need a lot of it.
Sponge: Again, to absorb excess water.
Fine Screening: An optional supply, but can help with removing excess water from newly made paper so not as many couch sheets are needed.
Large Tub or Kitchen Sink: The paper making pour mold is placed into this with water reaching about 1/3 of the mold.
Ironing Board and Iron

Step-by-Step

You’ll need the equivalent of 1 sheet of copier paper to make one 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 sheet of handmade paper. After making your first sheet of handmade paper, if you find your paper too thick then use less recycled paper and if you find it too thin to work with add a touch more recycled paper.
Tear up recycled paper and place in blender. Blend at medium speed for at least 20-30 seconds. You want all the paper to be pulp.
Pour pulp into pour mold that is in tub or sink. With hand mix the pulp for even distribution. Lift pour mold straight up out of the water allowing excess water to dip off.
Remove wood frame from pour mold. Place fine screening over handmade paper and use sponge to remove more excess water. Remove fine screen when done.
Place couch sheet over top of handmade paper. Lightly press down and remove more excess water. Flip over and gently remove ultra fine screen. Place second couch sheet on top . Flip over and remove the first couch sheet. An additional couch sheet may or may not be needed to remove more excess water.
Place handmade paper onto an ironing board and iron on medium heat until dry.
Place handmade paper between two couch sheets and place heavy object over it for a few hours. Your handmade sheet of paper is ready to use!