Hello everyone,

I've done some experimenting with paper making and would've loved some input from more experienced folks before I commit to a larger batch this weekend.

My current process is:

-Remove Bark from a (relatively) freshly felled apple tree trunk.

-Boil the pieces to stop the cells reacting with the air.

-Cut off the outer bark from the fibrous interior layer.

-Put the fibers in a cotton bag and hang it into a hot (almost boiling) water bath along with fine woodash for around 4hours to create the alkaline solution to seperate the fibres, with the bag preventing ash from settling between the fibres. (I'm using a non-reactive pot, don't worry) ​

-Wash the fibres to remove any remaining solution.

-Press some okra plants for the viscous mucus that will keep the fibres suspended, add it to a water vat along with the fibres and pull some sheets with the frame and deckle. (this part I haven't experimented with as of now) ​

Has anyone here tried it like this and can share some insight on problems that may arise? ​

the paper is sadly already made, but I realised too late that it's a bit too absorbant for watercolor. is there anything i can add on top to make it less absorbant?

materials used is scrap paper and potato starch.

Hey everyone! I’m making handmade paper using cotton pulp and looking to make it suitable for offset printing.

What’s the best and most affordable external sizing agent I can use to improve the paper’s printability? I’ve come across rosin sizing, but I’m not sure if it’s the right option for handmade paper.

Would love to hear your experiences, especially if you’ve tried sizing handmade paper for offset printing. Any suggestions for affordable products or alternatives that are easily available in India would be really helpful!

How can I get the paper flat?

I have before starched paper (potato starch or corn starch mixed with a little cold water then putting on hot water, then dipping the paper) i have hangdried a few times as I dont manage to press as the starch acts like a glue.

Does anyone know how to do this better? What I want to achieve is when printing on it it will get better colors and a quite nice texture.

I have tried to wait for a bit until its almost dry and press it between books or something.

I did book marks before and then its not so obvious but Im thinking on doing bigger things or maybe a book. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Hi! I want to start paper making but have some confusion on what materials are "allowed" or can actually be used to make paper. I'm a scrapbooker, so I end up with scraps of paper that have stuff printed onto them. Can I use that in my mix or would that be an issue?

Also curious about paper with pen ink, graphite from pencil, markers, etc. What goes?

Hey folks - I make decorative paper for my book covers using hand-inked washi (mid-thickness like Shoji), and I've been laminating it with other paper for strength, but I want to start coating/sizing it for a bit more durability, with something as natural / ecologically sound as possible.

I haven't tried all these methods yet, but so far my options seem to be :

* Beeswax : Good protection, but adds a lot of shine and a slightly tacky surface. Also makes paper more translucent if used heavily.

* PVA : Too shiny, also I'm trying to phase out plastics

* Renaissance (microcrystalline) Wax : Good protection, but not sure if it helps with durability, and not ideal being petroleum-based.

* Gelatin size : I gather this is a good option used in conservation, but not ideal being animal-derived.

* Wheat starch paste : Seems widely used for this purpose. But - Affects finish/colour of paper decoration?

* Konnyaku : Seems like potentially a good option - but hard to get hold of technical grade in the UK. But I'm wondering if you can use the food-grade Konjac Glucomannan to do the same job?

**What experience/success have you folks had with any of these methods? Are there any other coating/sizing methods for paper durability that you'd recommend?**

My aim is to eventually produce books with entirely environmentally sound materials (no PVA, no petroleum based, all post-consumer waste recycled paper and board, etc)

Cheers!

I think it’s safe to say that I’m hooked. I love the experimental aspect of it -adding in natural dyes and such, and how easy it is to start over if things don’t turn out the way you want them to, the repetitive process is so soothing

The pack is ordered and color choosen by a customer in Thailand.

It is fun to make new color and add it into my collection 😙😙.

This is Tapa Poplar Dướng, handmade paper from poplar bark pulp.

Ive been searching for AGES to find something on this but nobody has done/documented it. I have a wooden base structure build and I want to paper mache around it to secure it. Will it collapse or hold up well?

I'm thinking of opening a printable store with a whimsical, theatrical, medieval, Alice in Wonderland kind of vibe. The idea is to build a surreal world with its own characters and lore, with the goal of making play and creativity more accessible.

I'm open to product suggestions! So far, I'm thinking of paper puppets, paper theatres, and things of that nature. Maybe introducing a detailed paper-folding project with each new release.

I'd also love to hear everyone's thoughts and feelings about the concept, especially who you think would be interested in a world like this. Would this be something you'd enjoy exploring?

Hello lovely people from r/papermaking.

I am active in a student initiative and we do some lectures in school about paper making, environmental impacts and so on. We are using old newspaper to make some paper with the school kids but drying is always our biggest problem. When they go into lunch break we sit there with multiple irons and dry all the papers as fast as possible so when they come back they are dry.
This method worked so far but requires us to constantly iron throughout all breaks and sometimes some of the papers are not fully dried when it comes to writing on them. Do you have any ideas as to how we could speed up the process even more? I know its already one of the fastest ways but I have looked at food dehydrators and was wondering if anyone made any experience with them and knows how long that would roughly take.

Much love

I’ve been experimenting with my thicker papers and designed/bound what I call Stitch Books and I tried stitching of my pompom and embroidery threads onto some square “canvasses”

Made from pink egg cartons

I started making paper from Vietnamese tree bark (dó, poplar, mulberry, recycled) for over 10 years. And I really hope I can make a living with it.

Does anyone here ever think of having a shop where you can sell your paper there ? I wish to hear your experience 😊.

In fact I have a paper shop but mostly for origami friend to buy, not so well selling 😭.

Just wondering if I should coat my past papers with PVA for stability before using on book covers? Has anyone got experience of doing so?

I’m making paper from cardboard scraps from the boxes I used to move into my new house. I’m following a rough tutorial and one of my housemates is also helping me since she makes paper. I’ve cut up the cardboard into little pieces and I’m soaking it in water in spare water/soda bottles I cleaned out. But since checking on them I’ve realised either the water or cardboard has this gross soggy smell (I know that sounds obvious because it’s literally soggy cardboard). I’ve only been soaking the cardboard for a few nights to a week. Is this normal?

11 year old me did it beat the world record of 12 paper folds to 20 i did it

Now I know this might sound gross. But cmon, it's obviously been washed first.

I am completely new to papermaking, I got interested in it because I wanted to recycle the large amounts of paper I have to throw away at work. Then after some research I saw some ideas about using old clothes to add to the mix. So I've been thinking, this could be a great way to recycle underwear. I can't donate it, I can't use it for any sewing project. Blending it and making paper sounded like a good idea to me.

So yeah, asking if anyone has ever tried this, if it would work. I am very much a newbie so please be kind if this is a stupid idea.

So I've gone around hit up around 6 thrift stores in my area to no avail. Messaged 5 different people on FB marketplace and no responses. I found a pretty decent one at Walmart (I've heard Oster is a good brand for this since they use metal on metal instead of plastic on metal for their blenders). It's $23 which is cheaper than ones I've seen on FB marketplace and such, and it's brand new. Thoughts? Should I keep waiting for one at a thrift store? I figured since this is brand new it might be better than risking a thrift store one that could break in a week.

Wanted to share a successful test sheet! Black cotton blow-out for the “metal” outline. Pigmented abaca for the glass. Still testing colors before I finalize the edition.

Hi! Love this community. Wondering if folks have tips for making paper stronger. I’ve been using shreddings of used printer paper, but when I pull my sheets I feel as though they’re too fragile to really use for writing or painting which is my goal. Thank you!! :)