How to Make Tissue Paper
Tissue paper is a lightweight, lightly creped paper. It can be made from both virgin and recycled paper pulp. On an industrial level, tissue paper is made with a Fourdrinier machine that takes care of turning the wood pulp into a purified tissue paper that is ready to be used for napkins, paper towels, facial tissue, wrapping tissue and toilet paper. Paper tissue can also be produced at home with recycled paper.
Things You'll Need
- Blender
- Window screen
- Wood frame
- Staples
- Plastic basin
- White felt
- Sponge
Instructions
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1
Select paper to be recycled. Make sure the paper is free of staples and stickers. Pick paper that is all one color.
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2
Rip the paper into small bits, and place the bits into the blender. Don't exceed half of the blender's jar. Fill the blender jar with warm water. Run the blender slowly, increasing speeds every 40 seconds, until you get a smooth pulp.
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3
Stretch a window screen over a wooden frame and staple it to make a mold. Make it as tight as possible. Fill a plastic basin halfway with water. Add 2 blender loads of pulp. Stir in the mixture.
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4
Place the mold into the pulp, and then level it out while it is submerged. Gently wiggle it side-to-side until the pulp on top of the screen looks even. Slowly lift the mold until it is above water level. Wait until the water has drained from the new paper sheet.
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5
Place one edge on the side of white felt. Place the mold down flat, with the paper directly on the felt. Press out as much water as possible by using your sponge.
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6
Hold the fabric square flat and slowly lift up the edge of the mold. The wet sheet of paper should remain on the fabric. Press out any bubbles and loose edges.
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7
Dry the sheet of paper by hanging it on a clothesline or laying it out on sheets of newspaper. When dry, peel the sheets off the fabric.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If you want to produce more than one sheet of paper, then simply follow steps 1 through 6.
If paper sticks to the mold, then you may have pulled too fast or not pressed out enough water. This paper is no longer usable, and you'll have to return it to the pulp to recycle it one more time.
