How We Make Our Recycled Paper
Super simple and very beneficial for the environment!
Why do we make our own paper?
There are many reasons to start making your own paper at home!
The ultimate reason is because it is one way you can contribute to a healthier planet.
100% recycled and wood free.
Requires at least 50% less energy and 75% less water than machine-made paper.
Chemical and acid free production process
Made utilizing renewable solar energy which is great for the environment
90% less wastewater and cuts air pollution by 70 %
Supplies You Will Need:
Water
Scrap paper (newspaper, junk mail, receipts, etc.)
2 Plastic tubs/containers
Blender
Mold and deckle (Don’t have one? Keep reading to see how you can make one yourself or where you can purchase one)
Sponge
Cloths (100% cotton) or wood boards
STEP #1:
Shred, cute, or rip your paper into small pieces.
No larger than 1 inch squares.
Be creative and use any paper material if you want!
You can use old magazines, post it notes, junk mail, etc.
Be sure not to use plastic!
STEP #2:
Soak your shredded pieces of reused paper material in one container/bucket for 12-48 hours.
The longer you soak your scraps, the softer the paper will become.
Resulting STEP #3 to be easier and faster.
STEP #3:
IF YOU HAVE A BLENDER:
Put in 1-2 handfuls of your new substances into the blender and fill the rest up with water.
Blend until it is a pulp.
Make sure you do not use the same blender for food and drinks.
If you DO NOT HAVE A BLENDER, don’t worry!
you can use a potato masher, pestle and mortar, or even your hands to mush the paper shreds into a pulp
The goal is to get this paper substance into a pulp!
After you finish this step, you can add some essential oils to make your paper smell good!
STEP #4:
For this step you will be needing a MOULD AND DECKLE.
Here are some places where you can purchase one!
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/ca/search?q=mould%20and%20deckle
Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=mould+and+deckle&crid=1FPRVLS5FVIIB&sprefix=mould+and+deckle%2Caps%2C86&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
Or you can make one yourself for less than $10 (we will teach you how in our next blog)!
You will be needing two containers/buckets. The first will have your pulp in it, and the second needs to be filled 1/4 or 1/3 with water (depending on the size of the container/bucket).
Then you will be placing 2-4 handfuls of pulp into your container with water.
Now it is time to place the mould in deckle into that container.
Holding them together at a 45 degree angle, dip the mould and deckle into the container.
While in the container, make sure the mould and deckle is horizontal (parallel to the ground) old the mould screen side up, and place the deckle evenly on top, letting the pulp to make its own little layer on top.
This will make a paper sheet from the recycled fibers.
Pull the mould and deckle out of the container and let the water drip down.
If you are confused, scroll to the bottom and watch our TikToks which provide a better visual representation!
STEP #5:
Now it is time to transfer the paper onto cotton sheets or wood slabs. This action is called Couching!
Remove the deckle from the mould (open the frame).
Place a long edge of the mould on the felt.
In one smooth motion, place the mold face down and press down.
Now you will be needing you handy dandy sponge!
On top of the net area of your mould and deckle, you will be placing and pressing the sponge to collect the remaining water.
This will make the drying process much more efficient and help the paper fibers transfer to your cotton cloth or wood slab.
Now you can remove the mould and deckle, transferring the paper. Make sure to lift from that initial edge. Think of this like a close the door, open the door, motion.
STEP #6:
Now you leave your papers to air dry. The drying process usually takes from 7-15 hours.
When your papers are all dry, it is time for the most satisfying part and personally our favourite part!
Peeling the paper from the cotton cloths!
After you are done peeling your new paper pages, you are officially done!
Here you can see our TikToks which are helpful visual representations of each step!