Whether to reuse what you no longer need or to find something fun and crafty to do, homemade paper is easier than you may think. There are some things you’ll need a professional ream of paper for. However, in an increasingly digital world, our need for plain paper is dwindling. You can use your paper to create sheets for personalized stationery for letters or cards. Follow these tips for making your own paper to give you a creative and rewarding activity to try at home.
Gathering Supplies
To embark on a journey into making your own paper, here are some items that you’ll need, as well as some that aren’t required but would be worth having on hand:
- Picture frame – The size of the frame will determine the size of your paper. You can acquire a document frame to make it a standard sized piece of paper, or veer away from normal and choose another size.
- Needlepoint canvas – This plastic meshing needs to be cut down to fit snugly within your frame. If you’d like your paper to be less textured, you may place a cut piece of plastic or finer screen on top of the needlepoint canvas.
- Casserole dish – You will need a shallow dish that is large enough to hold your frame. A casserole dish is usually a useful sized and shaped pan.
- Paper shredding – Utilize old documents that you’ve shredded. This way you’re recycling paper that you might have otherwise thrown away. There are three types of paper cuts from shredder machines that provide different levels of destruction and refinement.
- Bowl of water – Water is used to soak your paper shredding.
- Blender – You will use the blender to create your paper pulp.
- Spoon – The spoon will be used for both scooping and smoothing your pulp.
- Towel/sponge – These two items will be used simultaneously during the drying process.
- Colored (optional)- If you’d like to add color to your paper, you can do so by adding a little food coloring, berries, or colorful flower petals.
- Scented (optional) – If you’d like your paper to have a scent, consider adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil. You may also add fragrant flower petals for this.
Your Steps
Once you’ve gathered your materials, follow these tips for making your own paper:
- Cut your screening to fit inside your picture frame and place inside your casserole dish.
- Soak your paper shredding in water and then place in the blender and chop. Be sure to remove any metal, such as staples, beforehand. Soak different colored paper in different bowls.
- Add color and scent if desired during the blending process.
- Once your pulp has a paste-like texture, pour pulp over your needlepoint canvas and spread evenly with a spoon.
- Let the excess water drain off your mold and set over a towel to dry.
- Once your paper starts to harden, flip over the frame and let the piece lay on the towel. Sop up excess moisture using your dry sponge.
- Let paper fully dry and if it begins to warp, place under books to flatten out.