Making your own paper is a great way to recycle any scrap paper that you have and is a fun project for the entire family. We love using our homemade paper for drawings, notes and homemade cards. You can use any paper that is recyclable, such as paper grocery bags, newspaper, paper from worksheets and junk mail. You can also add dried flower petals to your new paper if you’d like. My favorite dried flowers to add are calendula and red rose. To make the paper you will need some sort of fine mesh screen. I’m using this fine mesh splatter screen which makes it super easy! There are a couple options noted below on the materials list.

Materials:

– scrap paper (newspaper, paper from junk mail, kraft paper, etc)
– food processor or blender
– some sort of screen— I’m using this fine mesh splatter screen which makes it super easy! You can also use a window screen from a hardware store, or DIY your own frame using an old picture frame and a fine mesh screening material
– large bowl
– large shallow tub to hold water
– towels that have a fine weave or microfiber towels
– larger absorbent towels

Instructions to make handmade paper

Step 1: How to make paper pulp

Rip your scrap paper into small pieces. Add water to the bowl, making sure that they are submerged. Soak the paper for an hour or two. After soaking, place the paper into your blender or food processor. Add enough water to cover. Blend into a pulp. The mixture should be smooth and well blended.

Step 2: Create your paper

Fill your large shallow tub with a few inches of water. Add the paper pulp to the water and stir well. Submerge your screen into the water and slowly raise it, letting the paper pulp settle on the screen in a thin even layer. You want the layer of pulp to cover the entire screen. If the layer is too thin it’ll be difficult to remove from the screen or may rip.

(optional) If you are adding dried flowers to your paper you can either mix them into the tub with the paper pulp initially or press them into the pulp immediately after removing the screen from the water. Both options will provide a different look– I prefer adding them on top of the paper and pressing them in, but keep in mind that several of the petals may fall off after the paper dries if you choose this option.

IMPORTANT! Do NOT pour any leftover water down the drain when you are done. It can clog your pipes. As long as you didn’t use paper that had any toxic dyes or finishes the water is safe to water plants in your garden. Simply mix any paper bits into the soil.

Step 3: Remove excess water from your paper

Place the entire screen on top of one of your larger absorbent towels and use a fine weave towel (or microfiber towel) to gently press down to absorb any excess water. Repeat until you’ve removed as much water as possible. Use the towel to press straight down– avoid shifting the pulp around as this may cause holes to form.

Step 4: Finishing your paper

Place one of your fine weave towels down and flip the screen over. Starting in one corner, gently unroll and remove the paper from the screen while it is upside down. If the paper is a good thickness it should release easily. If you are having difficulty removing the paper, your paper may be too thin or still too wet. Let the paper dry at room temperature in a warm and well-ventilated area.