Create Craft
How to Make Paper (Easy Method of Making Recycled Paper)
You will discover how to produce papers at home in this step-by-step tutorial. Making handmade recycled papers using this technique is among the easiest and only a few instruments are required. Enjoy!
At a Glance
Did you know that we could save over 25,000,000 trees annually [source] if every American recycled just a tenth of their newspapers? Yes, one of the things that is used the most everywhere is paper. We’ll show you how to produce paper from used and old papers in a fun project that’s also environmentally responsible. With the use of our guide, you can recycle all those used magazine pages, old newspapers, and scrap papers. The entire procedure can take a little longer than other craft projects, but we guarantee it will be worthwhile. You probably already have all the materials needed to make our handmade papers at home; they don’t even need a frame. Therefore, let’s begin.
Handmade paper has a rustic appearance that exudes an artistic sense, and the idea of working on an environmentally beneficial project is undoubtedly highly fulfilling. Check out the list of materials, gather them all, and use our instructions to make some green papers for yourself!
Instructions to make Recycled Paper
1: Tear Old Papers, Magazines or Newspapers
Gather enough scrap paper, tear it into small pieces (it might be pages from an old notebook, old newspapers or magazines, etc.). To cut them into little pieces, use scissors as well. If you can chop them into even smaller pieces—less than 1 × 1 inches—that would be preferable. After you’ve finished shredding and chopping the papers into little pieces, immerse them in a dish of water.
2: Soak the Teared Papers
We allowed the papers to soak in water for a day while attempting to avoid using any special instruments. After soaking the papers for two or three hours, you can combine them if you want a speedier process. We blended the soaked water as much as we could with our hands. Continue to soak the papers for an additional hour.
3: Prepare the Net and Get Started
The papermaking frame is being replaced by a plastic netted sheet. Draw one of the net’s sides into the water slowly, working your way up from the bottom.
4: Allow Paper Mache to Cover the Net
The paper mache will start to accumulate on top of the net as you slowly flatten it beneath the water. As evenly as you can, let the paper mache accumulate on top of the net.
5: Shape the Borders of Paper Mache
Straighten the net out of the water without moving it from its flattened state. The four edges of the paper mache were evenly aligned using our fingertips. You don’t have to care about the border in the case of the papermaking frame, but since we’re using a basic net, we had to make the edge neat and straight.
6: Place the Paper Mache Side on a Non-Sticky Surface
Place a non-sticky material—we’re using a polythene sheet—on a level surface. Place the netted sheet directly on the non-stick surface with the paper mache side facing out. Visit the link provided below to view our video guide for detailed instructions on this step. To absorb as much water as you can from the netted sheet’s top surface, use a piece of cotton clothing.
7: Carefully Take Off the Net
Take out the net with caution once you’ve soaked it in enough water. In this phase, the paper mache should stay flat on the non-stick surface.
8: Allow the Flatten paper Mache to Dry
You can either set the flattened paper mache next to a warm, dry area to dry it quickly or leave it there overnight to dry.
9: Check if the Paper has dried completely
Our recycled papers came out so sharp and clean, and we had a great time making them.