What is Lokta Paper ?

Lokta paper is Nepali handmade paper  crafted in the traditional way from the bark of Daphne Cannabina, commonly known as LOKTA among Nepalese, an under-storey shrub which grows in the middle mountains of Nepal. Handmade Lokta paper crafting is an ancient art that has remained unchanged for over 2000 years.


Handmade Lokta paper is acid free and environmental friendly. It is extremely durable and that is one reason why government offices in Nepal are still using them for all the official documentations.

 The Lokta paper is used  for picture framing, lampshades, art supplies, book making, displays, wall paper and many other wonderful and greeting purposes. These handmade papers can be use for many different types of creative crafting which has no limitation.


These Lokta paper is gathered and processed in an ecologically sound way and is renowned for its exceptional durability, natural resistance to insect attacks and special textures.

About Lokta ?

The raw material Lokta is a bark of the Lokta plant - a sapling stick of about 5 to 7 feet in length.The word Lokta refers to one of the local species of Daphne Cannabina or Daphne Papyracea - a small woody plant of Laurel family. It is also familiar to Nepalese people by the name of Baruwa or Kaagte Paat. Best quality of Lokta stick usually grows and exists at an attitude of 6000 to 10000 ft. over the highlands of Nepal.

October signals the season beginning Lokta Collection. It is harvested alike the sugarcane stick by cutting it on the stem, about 30 cm above ground level. This plant has got a specific features of regeneration to maturity again within 4 to 5 years after cut despite of being destroyed.The Lokta stick if not removed from the forest in its' ideal maturity, it fades, dries up and decays within a couple of months in due course of rain, storm and sun. Thus, by plucking Lokta sticks out, neither the forest is destroyed, nor it harms to fragile forest ecology. Large number of people get employed and the local Government Authorities also get benefit by the royalty revenue derived from the tax and fee against issuance of the permission to collect.

Lokta Paper Characteristics

    *   Long lasting and durable
    *   Strong and easily foldable without any crinkle and corrugation
    *   Excellent for its' rough and attractive texture
    *   Free from germs and highly resistant to the insects
    *   Non-demolishing immediately even in water
    *   Easy to dye in water with fast color
    *   Ideal in production without using any machines in entire process
    *   Highly potential for easy recycling

How to make the lokta Paper?

The following Picture taken in Nepal Lokta Paper small factory show the process of making lokta paper.

1. peeling off the Lokta barks
2. Washing the Lokta
3. Boiling the Lokta for softening
4. Cutting and Grinding of Lokta
5. Mixing with Water for Lokta Solution
6. Boiling the Lokta for Softening
7. Filling the Frame to take Water out
8. Frame with lokta luquid is dried in sun
9. Dried the Lokta Paper sheets are taken off the frame
10. Dried Lokta Paper Sheet Papers are stalked
11. Filtering out the water
12. Ready to dry up in the sun
13. Drying up in the Sun
14. Drying up
15. Taking out the Lokta Sheets
16. Piled Lokta Paper

    
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5)                                                8)                                               9)
    
11)                                              15)                                               16)


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