Make Your Own Paper

ANCIENT EGYPTIANS wrote on paper made from papyrus plants and parchment, which was made from stretched and dried skins of calves, goats, and sheep. In China, early paper was made with silk, bark from mulberry trees, and other plant fibers. Today, paper is mostly made from wood fibers, though specialty paper is made from linen, cotton, and even synthetic materials like latex. But the most basic technique for making paper is essentially the same today as it was in ancient times, and you can try it out right in your own home.

To make your own paper, you’ll need:

Recycled paper (such as newspaper, magazines, toilet paper, paper bags, notebook paper, construction paper, tissue paper, napkins)

A sponge

Wire mesh screen (an old door or window screen)

A wood frame (you can use an old picture frame, or you can build a frame yourself using four pieces of wood and some nails)

Plastic basin or tub (should be large enough to fit your frame)

A blender

Felt, blotting paper, flannel, or other absorbent fabric (newsprint will work in a pinch)

Stapler

Liquid starch

Rolling pin

Iron

Tear your paper into small pieces and fill the blender halfway full with it. Add warm water until the blender is full. Blend the paper and water for about 30 seconds, starting at low speed and then gradually increasing. Blend until you get a smooth, well-blended pulp with no chunks or bits of paper.

Use your screen and wood frame to make what’s called a mold. Stretch the screen over the frame as tightly as possible and use a stapler to affix it. Trim off any excess. Now is also a good time to lay out the felt or blotting paper that you will use later. Place it next to your basin so that it will be ready when you need it.

Fill up the basin or tub about halfway full with water. Add your blender full of pulp. Make two more blenders of pulp and add these to the basin. Stir the water and pulp in the basin—feel free to use your hands—and then stir in two teaspoons of liquid starch. Mix well, then submerge your mold (the screen and wood frame) into the basin, with the screen side on the bottom. Move the mold from side to side until the pulp settles on top of it evenly.

Carefully raise the mold out of the water and hold it above the basin while the water drains. The pulp mixture should be in a uniform layer across the screen. (If there are holes, or if the pulp is not lying evenly, submerge the mold again and give it another try.) Press down on it gently to squeeze out the moisture, and use a sponge to soak up excess water from the bottom of the screen.

After the mold stops dripping, flip the screen paper-side down onto your felt, flannel, or other blotting material. Press out any moisture with the sponge and then carefully lift the mold, leaving the wet sheet of paper on the fabric. Use your hands to press out bubbles or other slight imperfections.

Place another piece of blotting material on top of the paper and use a rolling pin to squeeze out the moisture. Now your handmade sheet of paper needs to dry. Find a good spot and let it sit for a few hours. You can also use an iron (on a medium setting) to encourage the drying process; just make sure to iron the paper through the blotting material, not directly on the paper itself. When the paper is fully dry, carefully remove the top cloth and then peel off the paper. Now you are all set to begin using your handmade paper for whatever you desire.