How to Make Paper (Paper Making Recipe)

Step 1

Start with 6 to 8 pieces of paper, and tear or cut the paper into small pieces (around 1 inch by 1 inch or so.) Place the paper pieces in your blender, then pour in just enough hot water to cover them.

Step 2

Let the pieces of paper soak in the water for 10 to 15 minutes to soften them up, then pulse the mixture in your blender until it forms a slurry.

Step 3

Grab a large, shallow container (big enough to accommodate one of the splatter guards,) then fill it with a couple of inches of water. Pour the slurry into to the water and give it a good stir.Submerge one of your mesh splatter guards into the pulp mixture and slowly raise it out of the pan while holding it level. Make sure to get a thin, even layer of paper pulp on your screen—if there’s too much, your paper may take a long time to dry and be difficult to cut or fold. (If you’re finding it difficult to get the paper pulp on your screen in a thin and even layer, add more water to the container and try again.)

Step 4

Once you’ve achieved a nice even layer, place the screen down on a dry dish towel and cover it with the second splatter guard. Press down on the top screen with a dry sponge to absorb the excess water, wring the sponge out into the container of paper pulp, and repeat until you’ve removed as much water as you can.

Step 5

Carefully remove the top screen and lay a clean towel over the wet sheet of paper. Flip the towel and bottom screen over together, then carefully remove the remaining splatter guard so the sheet is resting on the towel on a flat surface.Let the paper dry either as-is at room temperature, or with the aid of a hair dryer to speed things along. It may dry wavy, but you can always iron the paper later on to flatten it. Then cut and use as you like!