Students' Guide to Papermaking | August 19th, 2026

Finally a way to use up old school work.

The end of the school year brings mountains of leftover notes and worksheets and nowhere to put them. If you don't have a knack for paper mache, another way to use them up can be found in this easy guide to papermaking.

Supplies:

Scrap Paper: Old school papers, egg cartons, anything not glossy
Mold and Deckle: Fancy way to say mold for paper, tutorial found later in article
Blender: Any kind works, just has to make pulp
Plastic Tub: Just has to hold water and be big enough to fit your screen
Sponge: To wick water away from paper
Fabric: Could be any scrap piece of fabric or even a clean rag Optional: Paint, food colouring, any additions



Making a Mold and Deckle

Staple any sort of mesh (even the produce packaging kind!) to one out of two identical picture frames OR
Cut two identical frames out of wood and attach the mesh then
Even using the frames of old canvases can work, it's not rocket science!

Step 1: Shred and Soak

Start by ripping your homework into small pieces, you could also use a shredder or papercutter. Throw the shreds into your blender and fill with warm water, we're looking for around a 1:2 ratio. Let it sit for around 20 minutes, this allows the fibers to soften and blend easier.


Step 2: Blitz into a Pulp

Blend for around 30-45 seconds. We want a uniform texture, if theres any large chunks or dicernable text, pulse until gone. It should look like watery oatmeal.


Step 3: Prepare the Bath and Dip

Fill the tub with water partway, and mix a few cups of pulp in. Now, put the mold on top of the deckle (the part with the screen) and sift through the water til there's around 2 mm (~1/2 inch) of pulp.


Step 4: Couching (Transfering)

Let the excess water drain and remove the mold. Flip the deckle pulp side down onto a sheet of fabric and sponge the mesh to soak up any extra water. Lifting the deckle should reveal our brand new sheet of paper left on the fabric.


Step 5: Pressing and Drying

Place another towel or sheet of fabric over the wet sheet of paper. Using a rolling pin or a heavy book, press as much water out as possible. Carefully peel the paper away and hang to dry or just lay it on a flat surface. Once dry we'll be left with a crisp and heavily textured piece of handmade paper.

Use these new pages to scrapbook, draw, or even write a letter.