Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: The preparations
• Part 2 of 4: Making the paper pulp
• Tips
• Necessities

Are you a converted hoarder with mountains of old newspapers you want to get rid of? Did your girlfriend dump you and now you want to artistically destroy her love letters? Are you simply looking for a fulfilling activity for a rainy day? If you answered yes to any of these questions, try making your own paper. Below you can read how to proceed.

To step

Part 1 of 4: The preparations

1. Prepare. To make paper, mix pulp and water on a piece of gauze in a wooden frame. Here are some ways to get started:
   • The wooden framework method: stretch a piece of gauze on a wooden framework (an old photo frame is perfect for this or make your own) and staple or nail it to the edges. Almost any screen or sieve with 1 mm holes. can replace the wooden framework with the mesh. The mesh should be stretched as tightly as possible. Make sure the frame is the size of the paper you will be making. You also need a basin, bucket or pan that is larger than the frame.
   • The pan methodBuy a deep disposable pan from the household store or look for a deep frying pan. Cut out a piece of gauze that is the same shape as the bottom of the pan but slightly larger.
2. Find paper to recycle. While newsprint is the easiest to start with, you can also use old notes, phone books, and old printed sheets - basically any paper that isn't greaseproof like baking paper. Keep in mind that the color of the paper and the amount of ink on it play a role in the shade of gray of the paper you will be making. Avoid glossy or glossy paper - it doesn't work very well.
   • By the way, paper can also be made from just grass and leaves. This is how paper was made until the 19th century! You cut the plant material into small pieces, soak it in caustic soda (caustic or caustic soda) so that the plant material can absorb the soda, drain it and mix it into a pulp. Then pour it on the frame or mesh in the pan. When it is dry you can proudly say, "This paper has no trees!"

Part 2 of 4: Making the paper pulp

1. Fill the basin half full with water. The pelvis should be a bit wider and longer than your framework and roughly the same shape.
   • If using the wooden framework method, fill the basin and add the pulp before dipping the framework in.
   • If you are going to use the pan method, put the wooden frame on the bottom of the pan before adding the water and mixing the pulp in it.
2. Stiffen the paper (optional). If you are going to use the paper for writing, stir 2 tsp. liquid starch through the pulp mixture. The starch prevents the ink from penetrating into the paper fibers. This way the ink does not bleed on the paper.
   • If you don't add starch, the paper will have a high absorption rate and the ink will bleed easily. If that happens, soak the dried paper briefly in a mixture of water and gelatin and let it dry again.
3. Repeat the above steps to make more sheets. Continue to add pulp and water to the basin as needed.

Tips

• For an aesthetic effect you can add vegetable materials to the paper such as petals, leaves or green grass. The beautiful result will move you to make more sheets - no two sheets are the same.
• If you have trouble pulling the paper out of the frame, you can gently turn the frame upside down and try to pull the fabric or formica off.
• You can also add the lint from your dryer (the so-called "dryer lint") to your mixture, but don't make your paper completely out of this dust because it doesn't have enough substance on its own.
• Drying the paper on fabric can cause the paper to take on the color and texture of the material so be careful what you use. Smooth formica is the best option if you want to make smooth writing paper.
• Instead of formica you can also use greaseproof paper (baking paper).
• To squeeze out excess water you can place the fabric on top and press it with a sponge: do this carefully!

Necessities

• Any paper that is not greaseproof (such as parchment paper) and is not shiny or glossy.
• Wooden frame or an aluminum pan
• Framework
• Come or cup
• Food processor or mortar
• Basin (for the wooden frame method)
• Water
• 2 tsp. liquid starch (optional)
• Sponge (for the wooden framework method)
• Towel (for the aluminum method)
• Iron (optional for the wooden frame method)