Paper making at home is fun and easy. You will need water, fiber and a screen. Get water from your sink. Wastepaper will provide you with all the fiber you’ll ever need. A paper making screen is usually part of a handmold. The screen is sandwiched between a deckle on top (usually a wooden frame) and a support below.
There are two common ways to make paper:
- Pour Method
- Dip Method
Generally, a pour handmold offers the simplest way to make paper. It’s easy to set up, clean up and each sheet made can be different. However, if you want to make many sheets that are the same, the dip handmold may be the best choice.
Below are basic directions and videos for both methods.
Pour to make paper
A ‘pour’ handmold has a deckle (wood box) with high sides, usually 3 inches or so. To make paper, the handmold is set in a dishpan with 3-4 inches of water. A small amount of pulp is poured into the deckle to form a sheet.
Advantages of the pour method:
- Easy way to make paper
- Quick set up and clean up
- Every sheet is different
Arnold Grummer’s offers an easy-to-use ‘pour’ kit with every age, budget and purpose in mind.
For ages 4-7, click here. For ages 8 to adult, click here.
Dip to make paper
A ‘dip’ handmold has a deckle (wood frame) with shallow sides. It is dipped into a dishpan filled with 3-4 inches of pulp to form a sheet.
Advantages of the dip method:
- Uses a ‘traditional’ method to make paper
- Provides fastest way to make many similar sheets
- Makes studio style paper making possible at home and school
Arnold Grummer’s offers a full line line of dip handmolds for home and classroom use.
To see the full selection of dip paper making sets, click here.
For more details on the pour and dip method, instructions on how to build your own equipment, techniques, projects and more, pick up a copy of Arnold Grummer’s TRASH TO TREASURE PAPERMAKING.
