Papierschöpfen - DIY instruction for beginners

• The production of the paper scoop frame
  • The basic principle of the scoop frame
• The paper-making - the manual
• This is how you work in the decoration material article
  • Decorating the paper
  • Dyeing the paper

In this guide, you will learn how to make a paper sheet yourself in a few steps. Paper making is an easy way to reuse newsprint while creating creative gifts. Homemade cards are very popular among the recipients and are designed according to the occasion. Read how you first build the scoop, which materials you need and which work steps are necessary.

The paper-making has long been known and is used to make new paper sheets from waste paper. Basically, the process is similar to the industrial production of recycled paper. However, in the commercial processes often chemical substances are still used or it is going through a cleaning process. These steps are to lighten the paper and remove unwanted debris. In domestic production, however, this step is omitted because it is selected newsprint and the darker-looking hue is desired. Of course, you can color the recycled paper in any color you want. Whether beginner or professional - you have many different design options.

Environmental friendliness of paper-making and the suitability for beginners

The scooping is environmentally friendly as you do not put any chemicals and waste paper to use. You will receive a creative gift card in a few steps and you can also carry it out together with children. The level of difficulty is mediocre, so even beginners can quickly achieve success.

The production of the paper scoop frame

You have the choice whether you want to make the paper scoop yourself or buy it in stores. Below is a detailed guide on how to build the frame in a few easy steps:

You need this material for building:

• Wooden strips in the appropriate size (depending on the desired frame size)
• glue
• Angle or pieces of wood
• possibly screws
• wire mesh
• stapler
• possibly foam rubber strips or felt strips

The basic principle of the scoop frame

The frame consists of a mold frame and a screen frame. The task of the mold frame is to represent a limit to the paper mass. This ensures that a relatively straight edge of the paper comes about. The screen frame has the same size as the frame and is equipped with a wire mesh. Also possible is a construction as a frame, but there is a risk that the edges will not be so straight later.

Determine the dimensions of the strips

The length of the wooden strips depends on the desired format of the paper. For a greeting card or a small letter, an area of ​​around 25 x 15 centimeters is well suited to the frame. For the width you should choose a size of 2 centimeters, for the height are 3 centimeters perfect. If necessary, it also works with narrower wooden strips.

We decided on a frame size of 22 cm x 30 cm and only for a screen frame - the paper size, which can be scooped up at the end, then becomes slightly smaller than DIN A4. The frayed edges are desirable and look antique.

The assembly

• Put the strips together bluntly.

Make sure that no splinters come off the wood. You can smooth the cut edges and the surface if necessary. Use emery paper with a fine grain. You can either use wood in a natural color or paint it in the desired color beforehand. Be sure to use waterproof paint as the frame will later come into contact with moisture. Then allow the painted strips to dry sufficiently.

• Glue the strips together.

It is helpful if a second person helps you with the assembly. Make sure that the strips are just touching each other and fix them with adhesive strips if necessary.

Attention: If you use adhesive tape to fix, make sure that they can easily be peeled off without damaging the wood or paint.

• Screw angles together at the corners to give the frame more stability. Or you take leftover wood pieces of the wooden strips as connecting pieces.

You can now screw the brackets on, even if the glue has not dried yet. The angles stabilize the frame, so that the glue can dry in peace and give the frame even later stability.

Tip: You have the choice of metal angles and painted angles. Since the frame comes in contact with moisture in use, you must always pay attention to the water resistance. By painting after completion of the construction, you can provide additional protection.

• Cover one of the two frames with the wire mesh.

For example, you can fix the grid with screws. To do this, place the grille in the desired position and position the screws so that the head extends over a piece of the grid squares. The metal is thereby held on the wood and can not move. Use several screws in different places and thus ensure a firm hold. For attachment you can also use a stapler.

Tip 1: Lattices are either offered in the appropriate size or can be purchased by the meter. When you have snapped off the grid, make sure that the bars are pointed. If you have the grid fastened to the wood, cover the corners with fabric or glue them off so that no points remain.

Tip 2: Be sure to use a small mesh size to keep the fibers hanging.

Tip 3: Make sure the grille is tautly attached to the frame. If the grid sags, the paper will become unevenly thick, as more paper fibers accumulate in the middle than on the side.

• If necessary, attach a seal to the frame. This prevents frayed paper edges. Stick foam rubber strips with a thickness of around 5 millimeters to the frame.

The paper-making - the manual

Below is a guide to scooping. When you have completed the frame, you can use the instructions step by step to make the paper.

You need this material for scooping:

• Old paper (for example, use old newspapers)
• water
• measuring cup
• adding frame
• hand mixer
• small plastic tub (about 40 cm x 40 cm)
• Rührlöffel
• wipes
• Pasta roll or rolling pin

The instructions: This is how you go about creating paper

Step 1: Rip the newspaper into small pieces
You need 2 double pages of the newspaper for the beginning. Tear them into small pieces, with a size of about 3 centimeters is optimal.

Tip: The pieces do not have to be the same size so that a tearing apart is sufficient.

Step 2: Let the pieces of paper soak
Fill the measuring cup with about 0.75 liters of water. Now put the pieces of paper in the cup and let it soak briefly.

3rd step: make the pulp
Now take the hand-held mixer and mix the pieces of paper with the water. In general, a stirring time of about 3 minutes should be sufficient. The result is a uniform pulp, which can now be processed further.

4th step: Prepare the plastic bucket
Fill the plastic tub with about 5 liters of water.

5th step: dilute the pulp
Now put the pulp in the tub. Mix the mass with the mixing spoon so that it spreads well.

Step 6: The scoop frame
If it is a two-part scoop frame, then put it on top of each other. Set the frame perpendicular to the bottom of the tub.

Step 7: Lifting from the sieve
Slowly lift the strainer out of the water. Pay attention to a horizontal position above the tub. The excess water drips off and the paper fibers remain on the screen.

Tip: You must hold the sieve straight so that the fibers spread as evenly as possible on the sieve. If you held the lattice askew, then the mass would spread unevenly and the paper would have a different thickness. By gently shaking the sieve you can spread the fibers a little bit more.

Step 8: In this step, the easiest way is for a second person to help you. With a cloth the helper wipes from below over the sieve. The goal is to absorb excess water.

Tip: You can use the cloth to wipe the surface to prevent any build-up of water. You can also make the surface a little bit smoother.

Tip: This process must be very conscientious and repeated several times. Press the cloth in between to make it dry again. The more water you absorb in this step, the shorter the drying time will be. At the same time the mass gets stability.

Step 9: Now remove the upper part of the sieve. Place the paper scoop on a wipe, along with the paper fibers, and tip over the wire. Hold the frame firmly and wipe the sieve dry with the cloth from above.

Tip: Place a stack of paper under the wiper to stabilize and absorb moisture. Pay attention to a flat surface of the base to give the paper the correct shape.
(Picture of the pulp as it was put to dry)

Step 10: Now lift the strainer slowly. Start lifting on one side and work piece by piece. Make sure that the moist pulp remains on the cloth.

Step 11: Cover the paper stock with a wipe and a newspaper page.

Step 12: Use the noodle roll to squeeze more water from the mass. Only work with light pressure.

Step 13: Let the paper bottom dry. You can either lay it down or hang it up.

Tip: If there is still a lot of moisture in the paper sheet, it is better to first dry the sheet while lying down.

Tip: You can also iron the paper sheet carefully, then the drying time is reduced significantly. After a few minutes, the paper is dry and can be processed further. Place a cloth between the iron and the paper, otherwise the wet paper would stick to the iron.

This is how you work in the decoration material article

You can decorate the paper either after the drying process or even during the process. If you incorporate little things into the scooping process, the result is a very special effect, since the additions are in the paper. Place small objects on the pulp, which is still on the sieve. Among others are suitable for this:

• dried petals
• Spices (for example, cinnamon at Christmas time, as this sprinkles a Christmas scent)
• Pictures from the newspaper
• Pieces of colorful served or colored cardboard
• colorful beads

Tip: A particularly natural-looking design is created if you do not cut out the pictures or pieces of paper but tear them out. The pictures combine with the pulp and create a harmonious effect.

Decorating the paper

Even after the drying process, you have numerous design options:

• Glue the surface with rhinestones
• make little figures and put them on the paper
• paste loops or flowers
• choose for writing a very nice font
• paste photos

Dyeing the paper

You can color the paper sheet in different colors. To do this, add the appropriate color to the compound before sieving. Make sure, however, that the paper sheet already contains color pigments and thus often does not react as usual to the new color. The colors mix and exciting effects can arise. In addition, choose a non-toxic color, as it protects the environment and your health.

Tip: If you use light sheets of paper as the basis for scooping, then coloring the material will be easier later.

Tips for quick readers:

• Build paper scoop frame
• Use 2 double pages of newsprint
• Dissolve the newspaper in 3/4 liter of water
• Stir the mixture
• in tub with 5 liters of water dissolve
• Skim off paper fibers with a sieve
• Drain the water
• Take up water with a cloth
• Allow the pulp to dry on a cloth
• Shorten drying time with an iron
• Decorate paper
• incorporate decoration during the scooping process
• Building from the frame and cupping suitable for beginners