Handmade Paper

a step-by-step guide to handmade paper

Posted by Bridget G.

About

Here’s a step-by-step guide that I put together. It shows exactly how to make your own paper! This is one of the cards that I recently made for the holidays. Once you can make your own paper, it can really be turned into anything- sketchbooks, journals, cards, stationery, gift tags, etc. Perhaps you’d like to make a homemade Valentine!

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You Will Need (10 things)

  • Used Paper , torn into chunks [roughly palm-sized]
  • An old picture Frame
  • Screen large enough to cover frame [nylon, charcoal, fiberglass, or mixed]
  • Scissors
  • Stapler
  • Small Tub or sink, with a few inches of water in it
  • Blender
  • [optional] Liquid Starch for clothing
  • [optional] Spices , like cinnamon, for scent
  • [optional] Grass , leaves, flowers, glitter, etc. for embellishment

Steps (10 steps, 45 minutes)

  1. 1

    Prepare the homemade deckle.

    First, cut the screen to fit the frame.

  2. 2

    Staple the screen to the frame.

  3. 3

    Admire your work.

  4. 4

    Prepare the paper pulp.

    Blend 2 parts water + 1 part paper for 30 seconds.

  5. 5

    Add colored paper of your choice. You can also mix colors!

  6. 6

    Pour pulp mixture into tub/sink.

    Add starch, leaves, etc.

  7. 7

    Form your sheet of paper.

    Pull the screen up through the pulp & let the water drip through the bottom.

  8. 8

    "Couch" the water out of the paper by soaking it up with a sponge.

  9. 9

    Iron the wet pulp to make it dry faster.

  10. 10

    Once it is dry, enjoy using your handmade paper!