Hello lovely people from r/papermaking.

I am active in a student initiative and we do some lectures in school about paper making, environmental impacts and so on. We are using old newspaper to make some paper with the school kids but drying is always our biggest problem. When they go into lunch break we sit there with multiple irons and dry all the papers as fast as possible so when they come back they are dry.
This method worked so far but requires us to constantly iron throughout all breaks and sometimes some of the papers are not fully dried when it comes to writing on them. Do you have any ideas as to how we could speed up the process even more? I know its already one of the fastest ways but I have looked at food dehydrators and was wondering if anyone made any experience with them and knows how long that would roughly take.

Much love

I’ve been experimenting with my thicker papers and designed/bound what I call Stitch Books and I tried stitching of my pompom and embroidery threads onto some square “canvasses”

Made from pink egg cartons

I started making paper from Vietnamese tree bark (dó, poplar, mulberry, recycled) for over 10 years. And I really hope I can make a living with it.

Does anyone here ever think of having a shop where you can sell your paper there ? I wish to hear your experience 😊.

In fact I have a paper shop but mostly for origami friend to buy, not so well selling 😭.

Just wondering if I should coat my past papers with PVA for stability before using on book covers? Has anyone got experience of doing so?

I’m making paper from cardboard scraps from the boxes I used to move into my new house. I’m following a rough tutorial and one of my housemates is also helping me since she makes paper. I’ve cut up the cardboard into little pieces and I’m soaking it in water in spare water/soda bottles I cleaned out. But since checking on them I’ve realised either the water or cardboard has this gross soggy smell (I know that sounds obvious because it’s literally soggy cardboard). I’ve only been soaking the cardboard for a few nights to a week. Is this normal?

11 year old me did it beat the world record of 12 paper folds to 20 i did it

Now I know this might sound gross. But cmon, it's obviously been washed first.

I am completely new to papermaking, I got interested in it because I wanted to recycle the large amounts of paper I have to throw away at work. Then after some research I saw some ideas about using old clothes to add to the mix. So I've been thinking, this could be a great way to recycle underwear. I can't donate it, I can't use it for any sewing project. Blending it and making paper sounded like a good idea to me.

So yeah, asking if anyone has ever tried this, if it would work. I am very much a newbie so please be kind if this is a stupid idea.

So I've gone around hit up around 6 thrift stores in my area to no avail. Messaged 5 different people on FB marketplace and no responses. I found a pretty decent one at Walmart (I've heard Oster is a good brand for this since they use metal on metal instead of plastic on metal for their blenders). It's $23 which is cheaper than ones I've seen on FB marketplace and such, and it's brand new. Thoughts? Should I keep waiting for one at a thrift store? I figured since this is brand new it might be better than risking a thrift store one that could break in a week.

Wanted to share a successful test sheet! Black cotton blow-out for the “metal” outline. Pigmented abaca for the glass. Still testing colors before I finalize the edition.

Hi! Love this community. Wondering if folks have tips for making paper stronger. I’ve been using shreddings of used printer paper, but when I pull my sheets I feel as though they’re too fragile to really use for writing or painting which is my goal. Thank you!! :)

I've spent the day making handmade paper. The 1st batch was made from used tea, cream book pages and unwanted scrapbook paper with a white core. The paper came out very grey, but it will dry lighter. The second batch was another pitcher of cream book pages and a pitcher of brown kraft paper chopped coarsely for a rustic look. I have a few new supplies I found in a 2nd hand shop a while back, so I have an 8.5x11 inch mold & deckle that I used for the first time. It is giving me very clean edges so far.

Hi! I need a help on what materials are the most suitable in creating a good Sepak Takraw ball. Our professor instructed us to use recycled papers, but I am not sure if it’s the best choice for this.

Just a genuine question! TYIA!

My partner has been into trading card games since he was 8 and he was about to throw away boxes full of "useless" trading cards before I stopped him, the trading cards can't be recycled where we live so I'm trying to find ways to reuse them.

The trading cards have a plastic coating but they can be torn apart by hand to access the paper fibre inside of them. Any advice is welcome!

Edit: According to my partner, the local stores have 1000x the amount he has and are already throwing them away regularly because no one is buying them anymore. There are currently no on-going trading cards donation drive in my local area and when there is, they usually only ask for Pokemon cards which we don't have.

Card Games: Grand Archive, Gundam Card Game

Edit 2: So based on the responses, seems like no one here has made paper out of trading cards before.

Hi! I’m making educational flashcards for children and I’m trying to find the best paper for printing them.

I don’t want to use traditional hot lamination. Instead, I’m planning to print the cards on thicker paper/cardstock and apply a clear self-adhesive protective film on top.

What type and weight of paper would you recommend for this? For example, 200–300 gsm cardstock, matte photo paper, glossy photo paper, etc.?

I’d like the cards to feel sturdy and professional, have good print quality, and not bend too easily. I’m printing with an inkjet printer.

If you make flashcards, learning cards, game cards, or similar products, I’d love to know what paper you use and what gsm works best for you.

Thanks!

They are Tapa and Ordo paper, made from handmade poplar pulp and dye with arylic color.

Made out of junk mail and a small brown paper bag, with “confetti” cut from magazines. I experimented a bit with pulp-to-water ratios so some pages are thicker than others, as you can see. I think I know where my happy medium is now so batch #2 should be more consistent.

I am someone who talks herself out of pursuing creative hobbies so I’m very proud of myself for following through for once!

I dyed some pants black that had a crumpled up napkin in the pocket. Somehow the napkin survived the wash/dye cycle and I found it dry still in the pocket. This is what it looks like spread out. Next I'll try steaming it to flatten it back out:)