Reuse the papers and create your own. You can make decorative or writing sheets by following these steps. Serves almost any paper, although the most suitable is the one used for printing because it is stronger. Butcher paper, paper bags, and envelopes are also great. Avoid glossy glossy sheets, and if the paper is printed, it had better not have too much ink on it. Newsprint is useful as a filler, in combination with other materials. If you are going to use it alone, keep in mind that it will not be very resistant. Newsprint will turn gray when pulped, while newsprint will turn pink and brown when dry.
Materials:
- paper to reuse
- Two same size picture frames
- A mesh (mosquito net type)
- Duct tape
- Nails
- a stapler
- A hammer
- A bucket in which the two frames fit
- A blender or mortar
- Water
- An old sheet that can be cotton or polyester
- an atomizer
- A sponge
- Something heavy to press down on the paper (could be a stack of books)
- A tablecloth or something similar to cover work surfaces
Process
1. Prepare your sieve
The sieve is composed of a mold and a frame. It will be the structure that will shape the paper. In this case, picture frames are used, but if you dare you can make your own, since they are simply rectangular frames of the same size. If you are going to make one, make sure to reinforce all the joints with nails or steel screws stainless steel or bronze and stick them with some adhesive. It is important that it is strong so that it does not break during work.the best materials to use are mahogany wood (without knots or warped or crooked areas) and copper or aluminum mesh, the latter being less expensive. It is ideal that it has between 5 and 10 holes per square centimeter. Woven nylon or silk screens and mosquito nets can also be used, but will need to have more holes per square inch. Different screens will give different characteristics to the paper. The thicker ones will create thicker fiber sheets, while the finer ones will create more delicate papers. ruin the paper.Place the frame on a flat surface, smooth side up. Then, place a piece of fiberglass or mesh of the same size on it. Use the nails and staples to attach it to the wood. Make sure there are no wrinkles. Cut off any mesh that sticks out and use duct tape to cover the edges. Do this with just one of the frames. Then, cut two pieces of the sheet to a size that covers it completely.
2. Make the paper pulp
Cut the paper that you are going to reuse into 3 or 4 cm pieces, eliminating the residue of glue, clasps or hooks. Keep in mind that 10 letter-size sheets will give you about 6-7 recycled sheets. You’ll want to soak the paper for about 12 hours, as it will shred more easily. You can leave it longer if you want, but do not exceed four days because it will start to smell bad. Place the pieces in a blender along with a little water. The other option is to use a mortar. It is ready when it has a smooth consistency and there are no lumps. The ideal ratio is 2/3 water to 1/3 paper.
3. I turned recycled pulp into paper
Place the mixture in a large bucket and add six parts of water for each part of pulp. I put the frames into it. The one with the mesh should go on the bottom, with this side facing up. Then put the other one on top. Check that the mixture is evenly distributed. You will achieve this by moving the frames from side to side. Next, lift both frames. Now the pulp should be inside the mold. Let the excess water drip off and remove the frame without mesh.
4. Pass the pulp to the cloth
Put the piece of sheet you cut in step 1 on a flat surface and spray it with water. This will make transferring the paper to the cloth easier. Lay the frame on the cloth, pulp side down. Press with a sponge so that the fabric absorbs the water. Then remove the rack. The pulp should stick to the cloth. Take another piece of cloth and place it on top of the one you just used. On top, place something heavy to remove as much water as possible. If you want to make more paper, you can stack all the sheets and then put the weight on top of it. Keep in mind that you will always need a piece of fabric more than the number of leaves you are going to make. After a few hours, you can remove the cloths and let the paper dry completely. It will take about a day. If you want them to be very smooth, you can pass them a rolling pin when they are completely dry. If you have leftover pulp, you can store it in the refrigerator.
SourcesHow to Make Paper at Home from Recycled MaterialsCrivelli, Ricardo, “Handmade Paper”, Imaginador, Buenos Aires, 1996