Home About Handmade Paper

Technically speaking, Handmade Paper is paper made by hand using a mould (a frame covered with a flat, rigid screen or flexible screen). Handmade paper is a layer of entwined fibers and held together by the natural bonding properties of cellulose fibers. The mould is covered by a flat frame called a deckle, to contain the run-off of wet pulp, dipped into a vat of wet pulp, shaken to distribute the fibers evenly and drained of its excess water. The wet mat of fibers remaining in the newly formed sheet is then dried against blankets & may be hot pressed, cold pressed, or air-dried.

Handmade Paper is traditionally made using various vegetable fibers or cotton rags Another method is to use recycled paper. These fibers are obtained from variety of plant species. Each fiber has its own physical properties and lends a peculiar characteristic to the paper. Handmade paper can be classified primarily by the sheet making process.

Being one of the most ancient traditional industries, Handmade Paper manufacturing traces its roots from China through the Mid-East to Europe. Its invention in China dates back to fifth century AD. However, Indians are credited to have used paper made from cellulose fibers even during 3rd Century B.C. The leaves of palm trees were the medium of writing in India in the olden times. 'Papyrus' made from similar named reed that grew on the banks of Nile river in Egypt was stated to have been the medium of communication of Egypt.

With invasions of Muslims in the sub-continent, the art came to India in fifteen century A.D. and today it has the largest population of Hand Paper makers in the world.

Making paper by hand in India is a traditional art which has been passed down through the generations by craftsmen known as Kagzis; the name being derived from the word `Kagaz' meaning paper. Though these are now almost extinct, the traditional method of Handmade papermaking is still found in various parts of India where the traditional Kagzi; communities ultimately settled. One renowned `Kagzi; community is in SANGANER near the famous pink city of JAIPUR.

The equipment used to transform the raw materials into paper has been improved by modern technology but the process and principles remain virtually unchanged. The possibilities for what can be accomplished with Handmade Paper and Paper Pulp are limitless. Like many crafts, which have enjoyed a revival, modern papermaking does not necessarily end with the production of a utilitarian item. Handpaper making is an energetic creative outlet and paper pulp has become not only a vehicle, but also an artistic medium in itself. Just one of the beautiful aspects of handmade paper is that no tree needs to be harvested to make it.

Handmade paper is a stunning example of recycling at work. It was, in fact, concern about the disappearance of forests, coupled with renewed interest in the quality of papers, that generated new study of the paper maker's materials, especially the pulps and fibers. The raw materials used in handmade papers range from all manner of vegetable matter (including leaves, tree moss, potatoes, flowers), old ropes, canvas, linen, new & old cotton Rags. Hosiery & Tailor cuttings, jute waste, paper waste & Agro-waste fibers like Bagasse, Banana, Mulberry, Hemp & Remi etc.

Any raw material can be used as long as it has fibers capable of forming a continuous sheet. Also important is proper acidic/alkaline balance, which will assure that the paper is archival and will last virtually forever.

Papers are made based on specifications defined by the embellishment, ingredient(s), thickness, color and size over a minimum manufacturing order. Papers are converted into beautiful products, which can be used as unique gift options, home decorations, office accessories and other utility products.

Why use handmade papers?

Handmade paper has the advantage of being 100% wood free which makes it the most eco-friendly form of paper around. It is also 100% recycled. Handmade paper is excellent for writing as well as printing. It has greater tensile, bursting, tearing and double-fold strength compared to conventional paper. Apart from all this it looks great, handmade paper is fashionable, it's up market, its classy! Our papers can be decorated with flower petals, jute, wool, grass, straw etc. Handmade paper seems to be the perfect thing to have come around in terms of environment friendliness. There are no chemicals used in the manufacture of our handmade paper. The paper is solar dried, so no energy wastage. No trees are cut to make such paper, the pulp used to make the paper is derived from Cotton Fabric Rags, and this makes it 100% eco-friendly and 100% natural. So handmade paper cuts down on pollution, its saves trees (and wildlife) thus contributing to a much healthier environment.

Fact

One tone of mill made paper cost the earth 270 trees or 400 bamboo plants.

If it's so perfect, why isn't everyone using it?

Handmade paper does turn out to be a little more expensive compared to mill made paper because its not mass produced by machines like conventional paper. There is a greater cost involved in the long run when using mill made paper - somebody has to pay for all those trees being cut down and the damage being done to the environment. Our Forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate - trees are being felled by the millions to satisfy our need for wood and paper.

Global rates of destruction of forests

¤ 2.4 Acres every second - equivalent to 2 football fields.
¤ 149 Acres per minute
¤ 2,14,000 acres per day, an area larger than New York City
¤ 78 Million acres per year, an area larger than Poland.
¤ An estimated 137 species of life forms are driven to extinction each day or 50,000 a year.

Handmade paper is a solution to solve all our environment related problems - Its paper that doesn't utilize wood for its manufacture - is free from all chemicals, and is dried using the most eco-friendly means of energy - solar energy The pulp used to create handmade paper is made from cotton fabric rags - the creation of the paper involves recycling of cloth and apart from this the paper itself is recyclable.

Manufacturing Process