Passion Paper Process: How It's Made

Step 3: Pulp in Mould and Deckle
 

Passion Paper Process: How It's Made

    The first question I usually get asked when I tell someone about my paper-making hobby is "how do you make paper?"—a fair question considering it's more recycled than "made." While this blog post is not a tutorial, it will walk you briefly through the process with photos! 
  1. Shred Paper: Shred a variety of paper or all the same; whatever you chose will adjust your pulp consistency and color! Cardboard, lined paper, drawing paper, cardstock, printer paper, or colorful construction paper, just as long as it's not glossy or has any glue residue on it! Currently, my pulp tends to be a mix of some cardboard, yet mainly brown paper. This makes my paper more sturdy. 
  2. Soak and Blend: Soak the shredded paper for around 24 hours (long enough for the cardboard to soften, but not too long that an ecosystem starts growing in the water)! I use a designated paper blender that I got from a thrift store. I dump the pulp into a tote.
    Step 4: Transfer to felt
  3. Pull Sheets with Mould and Deckle: With a Mould and Deckle, pull a sheet of paper! These are two frame-like items. The Mould is distinguished from the Deckle by its mesh lining on one side.
  4. Transfer to Felt: This is where paper making tends to get a little messy and, also, is the place I tend to mess up the most! Remove the Deckle, and place some felt on the back of your Mould. Flip the Mould and felt together. Slowly pull the Mould up, being carful not to rip the paper.
  5.  Place another piece of felt on top of the paper, and press a sponge over the felt to soak up any additional water. This also helps the paper stay in place as it dries. 
Step 5: Press between Felt
6.  Here, some paper makers would press the felt-sandwiched paper in between plywood boards to dry, but I'm a small-scale hobbyist with little room to craft in my apartment, so I hang dry my paper. Pressing the paper would result in a flatter paper, but I quite like the texture that hanging it immediately after sponge-pressing creates. 
7.  Lastly, let your paper dry for about two days, and apologize to your partner for taking up the shower for days! Peel the finished product from the felt. I sometimes press the dried paper in between some textbooks if I want a flatter effect (yet still textured). 



Step 6: Hang Dry
Step 7: Finished Result

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