HOW TO MAKE RECYCLED PULP
The Chinese used recycled fishing nets, ropes, and mulberry trees to make the first paper. Centuries
later, Europeans used cotton and linen rags. In 1800, Mathias Koops received the first patent for
making paper out of wood pulp.
Today, about 80% of recovered paper can be recycled to make new paper. Recovered paper describes
the paper itself, and the stuff that comes along with it. Food, plastic, staples, and glue are just
a few things that might be found on paper that cannot be recycled with it. This makes sorting very
important!
You can make recycled pulp for hand papermaking out of old newspapers, homework, paper towels,
construction paper, and more! Gather your materials and follow the instructions listed below.
Materials:
- Paper to be recycled.
- A blender.
- A vat - any large plastic container will do!
- Water.
1. Gather paper for re-pulping. Tear these sheets into approximately one-inch pieces.
2. Place a small handful of the torn sheets into a blender half full with water.
3. Blend for about one minute, giving the blender a break every few seconds. Use the pulse setting
for best results. The blender breaks the paper down into fibers called pulp! Repeat these steps
until you have enough pulp for papermaking. Remember that when it comes to pulp, a little goes a long
way!
* TIP: Unused pulp can be stored for later use in plastic
Baggies, containers, glass jars - anything you can seal. Pulp will be good for 2-3 weeks in the
refrigerator. If you are making a lot of pulp, you may want to run the unused portions through a sieve
to drain the water. Just pour in the pulp, squeeze out the excess water, and form it into a ball.
Store your "pulp ball" in a cool dry place. The dried pulp will dissolve in water when you are ready
to use it again. You can also use this method for discarding old pulp.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PAPER MOULD
Paper moulds are basically made up of a frame and a screen. In the East, this screen is made of
bamboo sewn together with horsehair. Western moulds have a screen made of wire or brass. The screen
allows water to flow through, leaving behind a sheet of paper. Once the paper is formed, it is
removed, or couched (kooched!) from the mould.
Nathan Sellers of Pennsylvania was a famous paper mould maker. He joined the American Revolution in
1776, but was soon discharged by special order of the Continental Congress. They sent him home to make
paper moulds for paper gunpowder wrappers and written orders.
Follow the instructions listed below to make your own paper mould.
Materials:
- Two wooden picture frames of the same size.
- Net curtaining, a tightly woven window screen, or any material that will act as a sieve.
- A heavy duty staple gun.
1. Simply stretch the net curtaining over one of the wooden picture frames and staple it along the
sides, Save the second frame to use as a deckle!
* TIP: Use an indoor/outdoor sealer on the paper mould to protect the wood from warping. This
way, you can use it over and over again!
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN HANDMADE PAPER
Now that you have recycled pulp and a paper mould, just gather the materials listed below and get going!
Materials:
- Recycled pulp.
- A vat.
- A paper mould.
- Newspaper and sponges.
- A rolling pin.
- An iron and ironing board.
- Blotters - cut a few inches larger that your paper mould.
*TIP: You can buy blotter paper from any art supply store, or improvise with heavy paper
towels, or woolen blankets. Anything that will absorb a lot of water will work well!
1. Place a handful of pulp into the vat, which should be half full with water, and mix well.
Remember, the vat can be any large plastic container, or even the kitchen sink.
2. Hold the deckle over the paper mould and dip them into the vat. The deckle will keep pulp from
flowing over the sides of the paper mould. Swirl them around for a few seconds to get enough pulp on
the screen, then lift the mould and deckle straight out of the water. Let the water drain through the screen.
3. Remove the deckle and set it aside.
4. Place a blotter sheet on top of a stack of newspapers. The newspapers will absorb a lot of the
water, and can then be recycled. Couch your paper onto the blotter by flipping it over so the paper
faces the blotter.
5. Sponge off the excess water by pressing down into the back of the mould. Then lift the mould off
the blotter. Your paper should stick to the blotter!
6. Place another blotter sheet on top of the new paper and use the rolling pin to squeeze out the
excess water.
7. Place the blotters with the paper in-between on the ironing board and run the hot iron over the
paper. The heat will dry the paper in minutes!
* Iron alternative: Squeeze out as much water as you can with the
rolling pin, then peel the damp paper off the blotter paper. The damp paper will stick to a window
and the sun will do the rest! This method is recommended for younger papermakers.
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