Part one. Handmade paper

Materials

  • Deckle

  • Plastic tub

  • Buckets for soaking and blending paper

  • Paper pulp

  • Calico Fabric

  • Sponge/s

  • Old towels/cloths

  • Any additional materials to add to your paper

  • Spare tables/surfaces to lay out made paper

Paper-making: preparation

Do the following the day before:

  1. Shred and soak your paper for minimum 12 hours

    Take two handfuls of soaked paper and blend – if using a jug blender be careful not to overfill and to use lots of water to paper ratio.  It should be approximately 3 to 1, three cups of water to one cup of soaked paper.*

If using a stick blender, it is advisable to have a new container to blend in.  Transfer a couple of handfuls of paper (or cups) and add more water before blending.

*If you feel that your paper pulp is too watery, you can use a sieve to strain the water out after you have blended it.

Notes:

You can add things to your paper to make it unique: leaves, petals, decorative paper, colour (food safe dye is advised rather than paint).
The best additions need to be flat, a thick flower or leaf will leave holes in the paper.  It is advisable to dry the flowers/leaves before you add them to the paper, alternatively you can use the flower/leaf as an outline and remove it once the paper is dry leaving the imprint.

It is not advised to use glitter or plastic decorations as part of the plastic will remain in the water and enter the environment through the waste system.  

These instructions are for handmade paper, you can also substitute for any paper and change the size if required.

A note on freezing: you can freeze your paper pulp if you are not using it within a week (the pulp will go off if left for too long).  Defrost at room temperature (don’t microwave), then blend again. Freezing and re-blending can create a smoother paper if desired.  Be aware that the pulp will expand a lot in the freezer, place in a plastic container without a lid and be prepared for the container to crack – yoghurt and ice-cream containers are great for freezing paper pulp.

Notes on using recycled paper: any paper with a plastic coating will not blend, likewise any plastic tape will not blend. This can be pulled out of the pulp or removed before soaking.

You can successfully create coloured paper by using recycled colour paper.  You can also add dye or water-soluble paint to the pulp to get coloured paper. Be aware that both methods are likely to stain your hands, gloves are suggested if you want to avoid this.

Notes on paper finishing/book presses:

The paper will take on the pattern of the mesh on the deckle; to create a smooth finish you can use plastic projector sheets. Simply place the sheet over the top of your paper once you have removed it from the deckle and laid it down to dry (still on the fabric). Smooth the plastic onto the wet paper and leave until completely dry (it will likely curl up, this is fine).
Book presses/squeezing out the water: if you have a book press or other device available, you can squeeze out the water from the paper. Once you have turned the paper pulp from the deckle onto the fabric, you can stack the fabric then insert into the book press between two boards and squeeze out the water.

This creates a slightly thinner paper and smoother. Note that it can also cause the paper to stick to the fabric and has an increased risk of tearing.

Paper-making:

  1. Collect together all the materials required for papermaking.

  2. Set up your workstation with old towels under the plastic tubs to minimise water overflow.  

  3. Fill up the tub at the sink, do not overfill as you need to be able to carry it back to your workstation without spilling the water. Use water jugs to fill up the tubs to a desired level.  A handspan is a good measure.

  4. Add the paper pulp to your water. You will need at least four big handfuls to start (depending on the quantity of water).  Swirl the pulp through the water and use your deckle to test the thickness of the pulp, add more if required. It should be thick enough to have no gaps, but not too thick.

  5. Put the deckle together, ensure that the ‘empty’ frame portion of the deckle is on the top.  Swirl the water to get the pulp lifted and off the bottom, then slide it down the wall of your tub and along the bottom of the tub. Shift if from side to side then slowly raise the deckle, keeping it level.

  6. Rest your deckle on the corner of your tub and allow the water to drain off.  When the majority of the water is drained, you can remove the ‘empty’ frame portion of the deckle and set this aside. 

  7. Place your rectangle of calico fabric carefully over the paper pulp on the deckle. You want the fabric to cover all of the paper.

  8. Using your sponge gently press the water out.  Use up and down motions rather than wiping. Squeeze out the sponge at intervals.

  9. Turn your deckle upside down and place on the table/towel. Use the sponge again to get the remaining water out of the paper, again using an up and own motion rather than a wipe.

  10. On a hard surface, carefully peel the paper from the deckle.  It needs to stay on the fabric. Hold the fabric with one hand and carefully lift the deckle is the best method.  If your paper starts to rip. Place the deckle back down and press on the paper then peal up again starting from a different side.

  11. Set the paper on the fabric aside to fully dry (approx. 12 hours, shorter in summer).

  12. When dry carefully peel the paper from the fabric.