How To Make Handmade Papers

If the parties thrown by you boast of your signature in everything, right from the delicious cuisine to the striking decoration, then why leave the invitation to printed and uninspiring paper? You can make your own paper and use it for sending invites, making greeting cards, envelopes, bookmarks and a host of other stuff. Making homemade paper is not just fun, but one of the most creative and most important green activities. If “DIY” is your forte, then making homemade paper is just the task for you. Once you have learnt how to make your own homemade paper, you can experiment with it and even turn it into diaries, cards, scrapbooks, gift tags, place cards, etc. In addition, you will be doing a favor to the environment by recycling the waste materials. So what are you waiting for? Go on, read the following recipe and learn how to make handmade papers.

Handmade Paper Recipe

Materials Required

Used paper
Scissors
Wood Frame
Small Tub
Sponge
Blender
Large Screen, to cover frame
Liquid Starch
8 square-pieces Cloth
Embellishment Materials

Procedures

You can select any type of paper for this purpose. From tissue paper, typing paper, non-waxed paper, toilet paper, paper bags to egg carton and old cards, anything can be used for this purpose.
After you have selected the papers, rip them into bits. The size should be about one-fourth the size of your palm. For better results, rip them into very small pieces. Now place them in the blender.
Fill the blender with warm water and run it slowly at first. After a few seconds, speed up the blender and run it until the pulp becomes smooth to touch. At the same time, make sure that all the flakes have been completely merged.
Now take the wooden frame and staple it with the large screen. It can be a window or door screen, but it needs to be heavy. The covering should be as tight as possible.
Put water in the tub, until half filled, and add the pulp. The water should be in accordance to the mixture. Now, add starch to the mixture and stir it properly.
Place the mold into the tub, submerge it and wiggle it until the pulp on the top starts to look even. Now lift it slowly and take it out of the tub. Gently remove the excess water by tilting it a little at first and then sponging it.
Take a handkerchief or any square piece of cloth and lay it flat on a surface. Now tilt the mold with the pulp to the fabric side. Lift the mold, letting the pulp remain on the fabric itself. If the pulp comes with the mold, this means either there is more water in the pulp or you have lifted the mold a little early.
Now repeat the process until you have exhausted the pulp and stack it on the square fabric. Finally, dry the papers in the sun. Hurray! You have your homemade paper.

Tips

You can add cornstarch and gelatin to make the paper softer and add shine to it.
To add fragrance to the paper, use potpourri oils, lemon, almond, or any other fragrant ingredient.
You can make the papers colorful by adding food colors. Using glitter for extra beauty is another option.

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