How to Reuse Paper Fiber by Making Paper
It is easy to recycle paper fiber through recycling programs available in your community, but it is also fun and helpful to recycle your paper fiber yourself by making paper. The art of making paper is one that can be useful in a variety of ways, such as making gifts, stationary sets or even business cards. Making handmade paper is an excellent science project, hobby or small business, and can be easily learned and mastered with minimal equipment to purchase.
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Things You'll Need
- 2 Frames
- Screen mesh
- Metal snips
- Carpenter's stapler
- Large tub
- Liquid starch
- Spoon
- Paper
- Sponge
- Felt
Instructions
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Make the two wooden frames by either using old picture frames with the glass removed or by assembling a similar-sized frame using thin pieces of wood. You will want the frame to be the size of the paper you will be making and be made of very thin wood.
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Cut out a piece of wire mesh that is one inch larger than the frames on each side. Stretch the wire mesh across the top of one of the frames, stapling down one side at a time, making sure that each side is very tight.
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Soak the paper in water overnight to allow the fibers to detach from each other, using equal parts water and paper. Add one or two squirts of liquid starch (one or two tablespoons). The next day, break the paper apart using the spoon. It should break into small clumps.
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Transfer the pulp mixture into a tub deep enough for your frames to be dipped into easily. Stir the mixture to evenly distribute the pulp throughout the mixture, then submerge the frames into the water with the screened frame on the bottom, screen side up, and the other frame on top of it. Slide the frames into the side of the tub and then along the bottom. Slowly raise them up from the bottom of the tub to the surface, trying to catch as much pulp as possible.
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Rock the frames back and forth while they are still in the water to evenly spread the pulp around the frame's surface. Bring them out of the water slowly and allow the excess water to drip off the frames for about ten seconds. Remove the top frame and slowly lower the wet paper surface of the bottom frame onto a wet piece of felt. After a few seconds you should be able to slowly remove the frame, leaving the paper behind. Dab the top of the paper with the sponge to soak up extra water.
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Layer another piece of felt over the wet paper, and place many heavy books on top of it to press out the water. As you make additional paper place it between additional layers of felt underneath the books. Allow the paper to dry under the books for a few hours, then let it sit out on the felt for at least a day. Remove it from the felt and place it between the pages of a book to straighten it out.
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Tips & Warnings
Dyes and other materials such as dried leaves or grasses can be added to your paper to give it a distinctive look.
Different types of paper can be used to produce different paper effects.
It is also possible to make paper using the denim fibers in jeans. Simply cut the jeans into small pieces, place them in boiling water and let them soak overnight. Pull the fibers apart and it will be easy to make paper with them. You may wish to add some paper pulp for a smoother paper texture.
References
- Photo Credit Handmade rice paper texture image by Dmitry Rukhlenko from Fotolia.com
