How to Make Mulberry Paper

Mulberry paper is a delicate and beautiful paper made from the bark of the mulberry tree. It is commonly used for writing, printing, and bookmaking in East Asia. Making mulberry paper is a traditional craft that requires patience and attention to detail. Here are the steps involved in making mulberry paper:

Materials Needed:

- Mulberry bark

- Water

- Lime (calcium hydroxide)

- Ash water (from burnt wood)

- Pulp beater or mortar and pestle

- Mold and deckle (for forming the paper)

- Pressing cloths

- Drying racks

Instructions:

1. Harvesting the Mulberry Bark:

- Harvest the bark from young mulberry branches during the spring or summer when the bark is easily peeled.

2. Soaking the Bark:

- Cut the bark into small pieces and soak them in water for several hours or overnight to soften them.

3. Removing the Outer Bark:

- Peel off the outer bark from the softened inner bark.

4. Boiling the Inner Bark:

- Boil the inner bark in a large pot of water for several hours until it becomes soft and fibrous.

5. Rinsing:

- Rinse the boiled bark thoroughly with water to remove any impurities.

6. Treating with Lime:

- Mix the lime powder with water to create a lime solution.

- Soak the rinsed bark in the lime solution for several days to soften the fibers further and remove any remaining impurities.

7. Washing:

- Wash the lime-treated bark thoroughly with water to remove all traces of lime.

8. Beating the Pulp:

- Use a pulp beater or a mortar and pestle to beat the washed bark into a pulp.

- Continue beating until the pulp becomes smooth and fibrous.

9. Preparing the Ash Water:

- Burn wood to make ash and soak it in water to create ash water. Ash water helps in bleaching the paper and improving its quality.

10. Mixing Ash Water:

- Add some ash water to the beaten pulp and mix it thoroughly.

11. Forming the Sheets:

- Place the mold and deckle on a tray filled with water.

- Pour a small amount of the pulp mixture onto the mold, ensuring it is evenly distributed.

- Carefully lift the mold and deckle out of the water, letting the water drain off.

- Set the mold on a pressing cloth to absorb excess water and compress the sheet.

12. Pressing:

- Place another pressing cloth on top of the mold and apply pressure to remove as much water as possible.

- Carefully remove the mold and deckle, leaving the wet sheet on the pressing cloth.

13. Drying:

- Place the sheet with the pressing cloth on a drying rack and allow it to dry naturally.

- Depending on the weather conditions, the paper may take several days to dry completely.

14. Finishing:

- Once the paper is dry, remove it from the pressing cloth and trim the edges.

- You can further smooth out the paper by pressing it between clean sheets of paper or fabric.

15. Storing:

- Store the finished mulberry paper in a dry and cool place.

Mulberry paper is a unique and versatile material that can be used for various crafts and artistic projects. With practice and attention to detail, you can create beautiful handmade mulberry paper at home.