Posted by Curry S. on Jan 23rd 2020

DIY Paper with Arnold Grummer's Papermaking Kit

Turn wastepaper into new handmade sheets in minutes! The Arnold Grummer's Papermill Complete Papermaking Kit has everything you need to easily make your own paper right at home! Kit contents include: a pour deckle (wood frame) with hook and loop straps, a papermaking screen, screen support grid, cover screen, 20 reusable Couch Sheets, a sponge, Press Bar, Illustrated Directions and a guidebook with techniques, projects and tips for success!

What You'll Need:

Arnold Grummer's Papermill Complete Papermaking Kit

You'll also need:

Blender or food processor

Shallow tub or dishpan

Tray or cookie sheet with sides

Iron (optional)

Waste paper

Place the hand mold upside down on a flat surface, lay the white papermaking screen on top of the mold and the drain rack on top of the screen. Pull the straps across the drain rack as tightly as you can then lower the mold at a slanted angle into the water tub. The water must be deep enough to come within a quarter inch of the mold’s top.

Take your paper scraps and lay them out over your measuring template. Once you have enough scraps, add them to your blender with roughly two cups of water and blend until they are broken off and have a “pulp” like appearance – about 30 seconds. Pour the pulp into the hand mold and spread the pulp evenly by wiggling you fingers in the water. Gently lift the mold up out of the water making sure you are keeping the mold even. Hold the mold above the water letting it drain completely.

Set the mold down on your tray or cookie sheet and pull the straps loose. Lift the mold up and away from the white papermaking screen and drain rack and set aside. Carefully put the gray cover screen over your new sheet of paper. With a sponge, press the top of the cray cover screen firmly, being sure to wring the sponge out periodically. Do this until the sponge is dry and is not pulling any water from the paper.

Slowly lift a corner of the gray cover screen and peel it off. Set the screen aside. Pick up the white paper making screen and turn it over, placing it new sheet down on a dry couch sheet. The new sheet should be between the screen and couch sheet. Take your sponge and press down all over the surface of the white papermaking screen. Wring out the sponge and continue pressing until all water is removed.

Place one hand at the middle and one hand at the corner of the white papermaking screen. Lift the corner of the screen from your new sheet of paper while sliding the other hand back. If the new sheet of paper comes up with the screen, stop and try again at a new corner. Place a dry couch sheet over your new sheet of paper and take the press bar, pressing down all over the top of the couch sheet. Lift one corner of the couch sheet and slowly peel it off of your new sheet of paper. Repeat and remove the new sheet of paper from the bottom couch sheet. Place somewhere safe to complete the drying process.