How To Prepare Bamboo For Papermaking

Bamboo has been used for papermaking for hundreds of years. Bamboo canes are used in commercial papermaking, but the fibers are very tough and need a lot of processing, which includes fermenting the canes for months. Bamboo sheaths are easier to use for making pulp for paper and they are the material used by crafters. Bamboo sheaths are the outer covering of the young bamboo, and they fall off as the bamboo grows. They are used often for paper making and require less time and effort than bamboo canes.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soda ash or fire ash (1/2 oz per quart of water) Enough water to cover bamboo sheaths Enamel or stainless steel pot to boil sheaths in Heat source 1 to 2 pounds of bamboo sheaths cut into 1" pieces Strainer Blender Spoon Clear drinking glass

1. Fill pot 1/2 full of water, add soda ash and bring to a boil. Carefully add bamboo sheaths and simmer two to three hours, stirring occasionally.

2. Remove a piece of sheath, allow it to cool and try to pull it apart. If it separates along the grain, the sheaths are ready.

3. Remove bamboo from heat, cool, strain, and then wash thoroughly.

4. Fill a blender 3/4 full with water and add the pulp a little at a time so that the liquid does not overflow. Starting at a low speed and working to medium, blend the fibers.

5. To check to see if the fibers are beaten enough, spoon pulp into a clear glass of water and shake. When the fibers are ready, they will be an even length and will not clump together.

6. At this point the fibers can be dried for use later or poured into a paper mold.

Tips & Warnings

• The amount of bamboo sheaths needed depends on the size, amount, and thickness of the sheets of paper you plan to make.

References

• DIY Network
• Papermaking: the History and Technique of an Ancient Craft, Dard Hunter, 1978