Paper pulp can be a useful material for making your own paper at home or for other crafts. This material is also quite easy to make. As long as you have paper, water, and a mixer or blender, you can make a lot of pulp at home. If you need the pulp for a special project, prepare at least a day or two in advance to give the paper time to soak and dry.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Soaking the Paper
Step 1. Tear the paper into small pieces
Cement paper or newspaper are great for pulping, but you can also use any other paper you have available. Tear the paper into small pieces so that the water can seep into it more easily.
- As a rule, the piece of paper should be about 2.5 cm in length or width.
- Tear off the paper by hand for best results. Cutting paper with scissors can also be done, but the results are not good. Water absorbs better on paper with rough edges.
Step 2. Put the paper in the bowl
Choose a bowl that can hold all the pieces of paper without overflowing them. You will also need to soak the paper strips in water. So make sure you put the strips of paper in a bowl big enough so they don't spill when you add water.
Step 3. Put hot water in a bowl
Fill the bowl with water until the paper is completely submerged. The water level should be just enough to cover the paper, but not too much. For the temperature, make sure you use hot, but not boiling, water to soften the paper faster.
Step 4. Soak the paper overnight
Place the bowl in a safe place for 8 to 12 hours or overnight. If you need to make the pulp for a specific time, plan the process ahead of time so you have time to soak the strips of paper.
If you want to use a blender, you don't need to soak the paper overnight. However, this method will produce a watery pulp
Method 2 of 3: Pounding the Paper until Soft
Step 1. Mash the pieces of paper with your hands or a dough mixer
Place your hands or a mixer in the bowl and stir the pieces of paper until they become a pulp. Keep stirring until the texture is like thick porridge. When the pieces of paper are no longer visible in the pulp, you can dry or grind them in a blender to make them softer.
If you don't knead the pulverized paper by hand, it will have a rougher texture making it difficult to write on
Step 2. Puree the pulp with a blender to get a smoother texture
Pour the contents of the bowl into the blender and turn it on for about 15 to 30 seconds. If you're using thick paper, such as cardboard or cardboard, you'll need to keep the blender on longer. After 15 seconds, turn off the blender and check the texture of the pulp. Continue this process until the blender manages to change the texture of the pulp to a watery consistency.
Depending on the amount of pulp you're making, you may need to grind it in a blender in several batches. If this option is selected, re-mix all of the slurry in one bowl after you finish mashing it until it has a uniform texture
Step 3. Add water if the pulp is too thick
Thick, dry pulp will not produce smooth paper. If the dough seems dry after mashing, add a few tablespoons of water. Slowly add the water and blend in the blender for 10 seconds before adding more. Too much water can make the paper too brittle.
If the pulp looks runny and has a soupy texture, it's most likely too runny
Step 4. Mix 4, 5 or 9 grams of instant starch (optional)
The starch can help the pulp to thicken as it dries and turns to paper. The amount of starch added depends on the amount of pulp made. For small and medium dough (about 220 to 450 grams), 4.5 grams is sufficient. However, if you use more dough, just double the amount.
Step 5. Store the pulp in a bucket or bottle with a lid, if necessary
Until you are ready to dry the pulp, store the dough in a closed container to prevent it from drying out. If you need a lot of pulp at once, make it ahead of time and save it for use when needed.
You can store pulp for up to one week at a time
Method 3 of 3: Drying the Pulp
Step 1. Pour the pulp into a flat pan
Spread the pulp as thinly and evenly as possible over the pan to make a uniform paper. Use both hands or a large spoon to flatten the pulp. If it is difficult to spread, the paper dough may be too thick.
If the dough is still too thick, add water to thin the texture
Step 2. Place a protective layer of stainless steel on the bottom of the pan
Use a protective layer the same size as the frying pan. Spread the product evenly throughout the pulp.
- If you have old, worn-out window glazing, cut it to the size of a frying pan and use it to make papier-mâché.
- You can purchase a stainless steel coating at a hardware store or home supply store if you don't have a window shield.
Step 3. Remove the protective film from the pan
Position the object on the pan to allow the liquid to drip for 30 to 60 seconds. This will prevent the liquid on the protective film from dripping onto the floor as you dry the pulp.
Step 4. Place a protective layer over the highly absorbent material
Place the layer face down on a towel or high-absorbent cloth to allow water to soak in as the pulp dries. Carefully remove the protective layer. You can use it to process the pulp again or rinse it so that the paper doesn't stick.
Step 5. Allow the pulp to dry for 24 hours
Most pulp takes a day to dry, but thicker doughs may take longer. After a day, check the paper to see how dry it is. If the texture feels dry and sticks tightly, the paper is ready to use.
Tips
- Decorate your homemade paper with colored pens or pencils, paint, knick-knacks, or dried flowers.
- Use paper to make greeting cards.
