Papermaking Info

Part i.

Things to know before you begin:

1. Good materials for your pulp:

• 100% Cotton cloth/material ((no seams or synthetic fabrics; they won't break down))
• Construction paper ((this will also add color to your paper!))
• Junk Mail ((lots and lots of it))
• Magazines ((although some text may be left visible))

2. When gathering scrap paper, keep in mind that the ink will affect the color of the paper pulp. Lots of ink=gray paper. If you use prints with a lot of black ink, there will be black specks in the paper.

3. Do not cut your paper. Instead, rip the paper into 1 inch strips. This will leave small fibers on the edges, which will make it easier for the paper bits to bind. Only use a playing card size of the abaca and cut it with scissors.

4. Dyes will need to be added after you make your pulp, otherwise the hollander will fill up with foam. Some dyes make for a bigger foam emergency.

The color of your paper will change dramatically the longer you let the dye sit in your pulp.
{I used dark blue dye in my last batch. Adding the dye to the pulp and letting it sit 5 min gave me a baby blue color with some white flecks from undyed paper. I let the rest sit for 5 days. This gave me a much darker shade of blue.}

5. Glitter and metal should never go into the hollander

Terms:

Mold and Deckle: two piece mold for making paper
Deckled Edge: feathery edge of handmade paper
Screen side: side of the paper that has screen impressions
Couching: pulling sheets of paper with the mold and placing it on a plastic board to dry; includes sponging the water out of the newly formed paper
Calendaring: pressing couched paper so that both sides are smooth
Abaca: kind of hemp obtained from the abaca plant in the Philippines; strengthens paper