Craft Paper Making

Paper the versatile medium

Craft paper is a huge subject area that there are literally hundreds of different types of paper for every different type of craft. Paper is an incredibly versatile medium it can be used for all types of arts and craft, painting, drawing, printing, card craft and can be decorated in many different ways. It can also be used for making three dimensional objects like craft boxes, for covering things, wrapping presents and even for furniture and clothing.

Making Paper

Paper is made from natural fibres separated and beaten and soaked in water to make a fibrous pulp which is then lifted onto large flat sieves of fine mesh that allow the water to drain off and the paper to remain. Once dried and flattened it is ready to be used. Nowadays cellulose is used in the manufacture of craftpaper and bleaches are used to maintain the white colour.

Paper craft history

The word paper originates from the Greek word papyrus (a grass like plant) and was named after the writing material used by the Ancient Egyptians made from beaten papyrus plants. Paper is thought to have originated in China in about the second century and spread to Europe by the twelfth century. Before paper, communication was by the laborious method of carving into wood or stone or incising into large, heavy clay tablets. Bark was also used in some of the PacificIslands and in parts of Central America. The inner fibres of the bark was beaten until it was paper thin then used for writing (Animal skins were also used for writing , stretched on a frame they were scraped free of fat and hair then dried. We are familiar with parchment. As paper spread throughout the world, so did communication and knowledge. Papermaking made the written word easily accessible and prepared the way for the invention of printing.

Craft Paper Making and Equipment needed

Paper can be made from home as the equipment is fairly basic and some of it found in your home.

Liquidiser

Large basin

Bucket

Recycled paper or natural fibres

Water

Mould and deckle

Craft paper press or heavy implement

Large saucepan

Net curtains

How to prepare paper

For recycled paper tear the paper into pieces about 1 1/4 inch square and soak them in water overnight. Liquidise the soaked paper in small quantities so as not to overload the machine. The pulp should be of a smooth creamy consistency. Do not liquidise for too long or the fibres will become shorter, the shorter the fibres the weaker the paper. You may add boiled plant fibres to the other material or flowers and leaves, feathers coloured scraps etc.

Pulp paper mold

Fill your large basin with the pulp so that your mould and deckle can be immersed easily. Agitate the pulp, place the deckle over the mould and hold them firmly together and immerse them vertically into the basin. Smoothly tilt the mould until it is horizontal. Pull it towards the front of the frame until fully immersed then up out of the pulp. Keep the mould level and give it a quick shake from side to side. Tilt the mould until the water drains off. Put the mould onto a flat surface and take off the deckle. Do not let drips fall onto the sheets of paper or it will form holes affecting the craft paper textures.

Hand-made papers

To transfer the paper onto cloth, invert the mould onto the wet cloth and press a sponge onto the back of the mould soaking up some of the excess water. Lift the corners of the cloth away from the board and the mould will release the pulp which will adhere to the cloth. Peg onto a line to dry. When it is dry place it face down onto a clean flat surface and gently pull the cloth away from the paper. Stack the paper in layers and cover with newsprint and old blankets and pressing boards and place a heavy weight on top. Remove the boards after a couple of days. These wonderful hand-made papers can be used in all sorts of ways.

Impressed the paper

Patterns can be impressed in the paper while they are damp using beans, wire, netting, string or ordinary objects pressed between boards until the paper is dry. Your monogram can be impressed using fine wire. Papers can be cut into geometric patterns and the flaps cast shadows onto the paper. Other papers can be threaded through the cuts to create a woven effect. Piercings and perforations can create wonderful textures and patterns on your paper, using a darning needle, hole punch or knitting needle to create different sized holes. Papers can be torn and cut to create natural or severe edges. Decorating papers in other ways is also an option

Adding color to paper

Poster paints, inks and powder paints all work well for ‘paste and color’ this traditional method of decorating paper. Make a mixture of starch and pigment and spread it over a sheet of paper then work into it using different implements to create patterns and textures and variations of color. It is possible to use more than one color but start with one and experiment. You will find more information on craft paper in the large range of craft books available in your local library.