The art and craft of handmade papermaking dates back many centuries. Examples of ancient papers have been found in many different places around the world and dating back for 100s of years. The need for and uses of paper are so many as to be almost endless and will be left for another guide.

The purpose of this guide is to try to make the path easier for those of you who are investigating the art of papermaking and want to know what kind of tools are needed to produce the desired kind of paper.

Simply put, all that is needed to make paper is some sort of frame to define the size and shape of the paper; a screen upon which to form the paper; a container in which to hold your pulp, fiber or slurry out of which the paper is made and some way to dry the sheets once they are made.

While teaching 100s of papermaking workshops over the past 20 years I have tried to make it clear that paper doesn’t care what sort of combination is used to produce it. However, there are some important things to consider before venturing very far into this vast and wonderful art form. And it will become very quickly clear that although paper doesn’t care, the paper makers do care very much and at some point the decisions must be made about exactly what method will be chosen when producing your paper.

There are 2 basic kinds of papermaking systems and 2 different ways to use them. In this guide we will cover the 2 kinds of papermaking systems. People in the West rarely use the Asian method of papermaking where 2 frames are lashed together and when closed they will securely hold the screen in place between the 2 frames. This method is used as it has been for generations with great success and can be used to produce very large sheets of paper. But doing so by this method requires a very large work area, which is often devoted solely to the craft of papermaking.

For this guide we will concentrate on the 2 systems that are used in the West. The Traditional method and the best one to use whenever possible is the deckle/mould using 2 frames, usually made of wood with a special screen tightly secured to one of the 2 frames, leaving the other frame open. It is with this system that fine paper can be produced with the desirable deckle edge. This beautiful edge is created as the fibers seep slightly between the 2 frames creating beautiful, feathery edges found on the highest quality handmade paper. Deckle/mould sets are found in all sizes from tiny 2x2 inch sets up to large 12x14 inch sets and beyond. Any combination of length and width can be produced for all sorts of different jobs, and creating paper for such things as art work, wall paper, gift wrapping, book pages and covers, greeting cards, 2-D and 3-D fine artwork, even furniture, large urns, and more.

The screening that is attached to the frame can have a number of different textures and range from very fine to quite large openings, depending on the desired effect of the paper being made. But best choices for screening are of strong material that resists stretching, tearing and sagging under the weight of the pulp and that is attached to the frame securely on all sides. Also, it should not be made of a material that will rust, oxidize, or tarnish causing staining to the paper. Ridged, wire screens are not usually considered a good choice for this reason as well as the fact that wire can cut, snag and injure the user. Once wire screening tears it is difficult to repair and if is should stretch it cannot be returned to the original flat surface needed to make paper. For some of those same reasons, fine textured, ordinary window screening is not of sufficient durability or strength to do the job of papermaking on any large scare. Therefore of important consiration is that the papermaking system chosen should have a durable, heavy, non-metal, attached screen for the best long term use and results.

The final type of system is fairly new on the papermaking scene. It appears a few years ago and has been used with some success, though having some limitations. It is possible to make a papermaking kit using only one frame, screening that is not attached and a support system of some sort which is usually a plastic grid places under the frame with the screen placed on top of the grid and the single wooden frame being placed on the screen. The entire set is them held together by the use of hook and loop tape. Although such an arrangement will work they have limited ability to produce such things as thicker paper and the very most desirable and uniform deckle edge.

Hopefully this guide will be of help in choosing the kind of system to be used when venturing into the vast world of papermaking.

The next guide will cover the 2 papermaking methods: Dip and Pour. Thank you for your interest.

Remember that life is a journey. Take time to enjoy each day along the way.