Q&A for How to Make Paper at Home

Yes, you can write on the paper. Some markers may bleed on certain homemade papers, depending on how porous the paper is. As such, you just need to be mindful of which pens, pencils or markers you use to write on the paper with.

It's up to personal preferences. If you want a chunkier paper, or paper that visibly has more leaves, grass, bark etc., then feel free to add more. You may just have to take more time grinding and experiment with the amount of water added to your pulp. Paper making is very much a personal thing and it's easily modified -- add as little or as many different materials as you want! Additionally, the amount of pulp you may need will change, depending on how much paper you plan to make, so don't be afraid to experiment a bit with how much you use, how thick your paste is and how much water you add ,etc.

Yes, you can. Avoid adding too much, or your paper may end up too soggy or too dark. Start with about 1 teaspoon, then add more as necessary.

Add a small amount, like a teaspoon, at first, then keep adding more until you get the texture you want.

It's really all personal preference. If you like thinner paper, use less leaves because they will give paper a chunkier effect. You can also use printer paper, or rice paper if you want a cleaner whiter effect, with a thinner overall paper. In addition, the more water you add, the thinner the paper will be but don't add so little water that your paper runs through the mesh (the wooden method is the easiest for beginners).

Some people prioritize learning and creating. You find time for the things that interest you.

As long as you wash it thoroughly after use it should be fine. You may need to scrub a bit though if you don't have a dishwasher or your blender isn't dishwasher safe.

Yes. Your final product will just be a circular piece of paper instead of a rectangular piece.

Caustic soda is not needed, but it may be added to the paper pulp after blended.

You cannot make paper since a book bag is made of cloth or plastic rather than paper.

Acid-free paper is paper that if infused in water yields a neutral or basic pH (7 or slightly greater). It can be made from any cellulose fiber as long as the active acid pulp is eliminated during processing. It is also lignin- and sulfur-free.

Yes, but you'll have to make sure that the edges are trimmed and it's not too thick for the printer.

Yes, you can. The materials mentioned will only make a difference in the look of the paper.

You can use a window mesh as a substitute for the screen. If you don't want to use any material of that sort, it will be difficult to remove the paper after it has dried.

It can become mostly white by adding vinegar to the pulp.

You have to add it. If you don't, you will get a goo consistency.

It would be kind of a weak paper. If you are making borders on the paper for work, chances are it will tear.

Yes. Glue can be used to thicken the paper. You could also just add more paper scraps to the water.

Yes newspaper is one of the best materials. There will be a lot of ink so be aware the paper will be a light gray at the end.

No, but the starch helps prevent ink from soaking into the paper fibers.

You just follow the instructions here. Since newspapers are usually gray and have a lot of ink, they may not be perfectly white. You can use white food dye or try to include more pieces of old paper that are not so colored.

Try looking online or in your local library for resources about paper-making. You can also look up a tutorial on how to make seed paper by David Suzuki if you're interested in that.

Yes, if you smash them up and combine them with paste and other fibers.

You can use nylons or pantyhose. Bend a wire (coat hanger) to the desired shape and size and then stretch the nylons around the wire frame.

Look up how to make one. You will need space to start a mill. If you are going to make a business out of it, you may need money for supplies and advertising.

Soak the leaves and grass in caustic soda until the paper is damp and soggy. Doing this will make the paper "tree free."

You could try calligraphy rice paper if you don't want to use traditional cotton paper.

Yes, but you'll have to make sure that the edges are trimmed and it's not too thick overall for the printer.

It will work like seed paper, yes. The paper will fold well if it's thick; thin paper might just snap in half. Experiment with different types of paper and different thicknesses to make paper that folds without tearing.

No. These materials will change the consistency of the pulp in a way that prevents the mixture from dying into flat, cohesive sheets of paper.