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Homemade Paper

Homemade Paper
I've been rocking my handmade paper out newspaper and other types of "recyclable" papers, but I found that already recycled paper (post-consumer) is the best for achieving durable yet flexible handmade paper.

Where to find this awesome material? Grocery stores.

One use for the material is creating small pallets for produce, like apples. It keeps the individual fruits/vegetables from bouncing around ontop or into one another during transport. Kind of like how an egg carton secures the eggs but isn't completely stiff and rigid.

Check more paper at my Etsy store: http://thickneckarts.etsy.com

 
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Step 1Gather your tools.

Gather your tools.
To be as green as possible, I cut out a few things used in other paper making instructables.

You will only need the mold/deckle, a household sponge, one "apple pallet", a mixing spatula, and a blender.

The mold/deckle can be created using old picture frames or even just scrap wood you have lying around. To create my deckle, I used a screenprinting frame by removing the silkscreen and replacing it with a nylon-type mesh used for screen-windows. The mesh is relatively cheap and durable. For the mold, I used an old picture frame.

Any household sponge will work.

Any grocery store should have some of these "produce pallet/carton" things lying around somewhere. To save gas and time, you may want to call ahead.

If you cook/bake, you probably already have a mixing spatula in a drawer somewhere. But a word to the wise, once you use it for paper-making, buy a new one for cooking.

As for the blender, once you use it for paper-making it's not a good idea to use it for making anything else. So if you use your blender a lot for cooking, juicing, or whatever, maybe purchasing another one at a thrift store or a yard sale would be good.
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78 comments
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Mar 13, 2009. 1:12 PMnoahw says:
This is a great Instructable, but you need to add a main image of the final project to the intro step. Please do that and leave me a message when you have so that we can publish your work. Thanks!
Dec 8, 2011. 12:27 PMSuzanneE says:
Found these instructions very helpful and will be using them as i want to make my own cards and envelopes. The pics are great and i will be back to check out more instructions i'm sure. Please let us know the approx. dry time. Thanks!
Mar 27, 2009. 12:06 PMultraorient says:
If one wanted to use the paper for stationary what kind of sizing would you suggest and how much?
Oct 13, 2011. 10:58 AMAdamVanMeter says:
Gelatine - the unflavored sort sold at the grocery store - can supposedly be used for sizing, so it won't bleed as much. As can a bit of elmer's glue, I've heard. This is all secondhand, though - I haven't made any paper of my own to be sure.
Oct 13, 2011. 12:02 PMultraorient says:
Thanks so much, Mr. VanMeter. :)
Mar 27, 2009. 1:44 PMultraorient says:
I apologize that I did not make myself clear. Sizing is a liquid that is added to the pulp so that when writing on the paper the ink does not sink into the paper, thus distorting the letters to the pint of not being able to read it. I have heard that a tablespoon of liquid starch puts a semi-permiable film on the paper. I have not tried that yet. I did, however use a piece of lace instead of the extra screening material and let the pulp dry in it. It makes beautiful embossed paper.
Mar 29, 2009. 11:59 AMegbertfitzwilly says:
Yes, that is correct. The amount of starch to be used varies a great deal based on the stock you use and the desired effect. Cornstarch can also be used although it takes some preparation. Traditionally paper is measured in pounds per ream (500 sheets) so 20 lb paper uses 20 lbs of pulp to produce 500 sheets. So practice a bit and when you feel comfortable start tuning down the amount of pulp actually in the water when you dip your screen. This will reduce the thickness of your finished sheet. Also if you have a rolling pin and a marble cutting board (or something similar) wait until the sheets are almost completely dry and then press them with the rolling pin to get to finished surface.
Mar 29, 2009. 12:35 PMultraorient says:
Thanks for your info, egbertfitzwilly. It so happens I have a marble cutting board AND a marble rolling pin.
Dec 21, 2010. 8:18 PMTrigonography says:
How long does it generally take to make a sheet of paper? I'm looking to make a journal with handmade paper (I'm thinking of adding cotton to the mix for longevity and resistance to wear,) and I would like to know what kind of time I'm investing. If it's going to take very long to make 80 or so sheets, I may wait until summer break when I can work outside with more resources to attempt this project. But if I can do the ~80 pages in a couple of days, then I'll likely make it my New Year's project.
Mar 28, 2009. 12:40 AMStarrystar says:
With my weak apartment sink disposal, I'd be a little afraid to put paper pulp down there. It's a nice idea, though.
Mar 22, 2010. 12:00 AMlukeyj15 says:
 if it'll eat apple cores, it'll eat paper
Jul 2, 2009. 1:49 AMGeekTinker says:
You could always add the paper pulp to your compost. If you don't compost, then it shouldn't hurt to dump it directly into your landscaping, changing the location each time.
Sep 8, 2010. 6:15 PMpuppies2625 says:
you can drain it over a tubberware and throw it in the garbage thats wat i did
Feb 6, 2010. 4:35 AMsneakyparasol says:
I've seen hand made paper before with rose petals etc in it. At what point in this process would you add it ?
Great instructions by the way!
Jul 14, 2009. 12:42 PMman ray says:
my grand mother used to do somthing like this with the stuff left over from the dryer
Jul 12, 2009. 8:22 AMdobbylvr says:
how long does it take to dry? wonderful ible by the way
Jul 2, 2009. 7:59 AMjessica9232 says:
do you need to use a blender? i recall doing this as a kid, but i don't remember using a blender.
Jun 23, 2009. 12:24 PMAlexbretherton says:
awesome idea i'm gonna make loads of this
Apr 24, 2009. 4:24 AMnoxelt says:
2 Questions...1. Does your paper "stick" to the screening? Mine does and I am wondering what to do to prevent that. 2. Have you (or anyone) tried a dehydrator or other way to speed up the drying process? Answers/suggestions appeciated.
Apr 25, 2009. 4:53 AMnoxelt says:
Thank you! How soon after pressing the paper between the screens do you transfer to the other screen? I assume you still keep a another screen on top to keep the paper flat. Is that correct, or do you use felt? Again, thank you!
Apr 21, 2009. 8:42 AMdolldr says:
Although not a 'green' process, I like to vacuum the underside of the screen between steps 6 & 7. Impatient, yes.
Apr 3, 2009. 5:23 PMRoyalPayne says:
I use the paper from my shredder. The stuff I have left over after I use it for mulch around my garden plants. This way, all the paper I receive through the mail is used greenly, and does not end up in the land fill. Wonderful colors, your paper. Has any one a instructable for envelopes to match?
Mar 13, 2009. 5:47 PMdaniboi1977 says:
I agree, this is a great instructable! I've been making recycled paper off and on for a year or so, and it's a great way to reduce your waste. You can also make your pulp in bulk, then use different colors of it to have a lot of control over the design on your finished paper. You can also use garden clippings as well. Some plants work better than others. I've made some really cool paper out of tiger lily leaves, just as they were starting to die out for the year.
Apr 3, 2009. 10:25 AMthepelton says:
Any plant with long straight fibers can be used. You just have to cut the piece, and soak them in a solution of non corrosive builder's lime and water for about a week. I have seen paper made from iris leaves, corn leaves, grass and a couple of other plants. It just has to have long, straight fibers.
Mar 31, 2009. 7:47 PMspicymeatball says:
i wasnt able get any of the paper grocery apple holder things so i subsituted used notebook paper it gives it a nice light purple color and works pretty well
Mar 30, 2009. 4:40 PMdeedeedee9 says:
just curious... would it be possible to use this paper for folding? i know of some origami artists who make their own paper, but i was still wondering
Mar 29, 2009. 12:19 PMlil jon168 says:
will newspaper work
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Author:thickneckarts(reondadomino)
I dig making hemp jewelry and upcycling would-be tossed items. I also run a free website that maps businesses that offer "free tire air" to the public. http://freetireair.com is the URL. Check it out...
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