Traditional Art Of Paper Making
Process of making paper by Hand
STEP-1
Collection and Sorting of Rags
Cotton rag waste generated from garment units are collected and sorted to ensure quality. These rags are cut into small pieces and cleaned thoroughly to remove any dirt or impurities.
STEP-2
Beating the rags into smooth pulp
The sorted rags are soaked in water and beaten or processed in a pulping machine to break them down into a fibrous pulp. This pulp forms the base material for the paper.
STEP-3
Making of paper
The pulp is then diluted with water and poured into a vat. A fine mesh screen or mould, often attached to a frame, is dipped into the vat, allowing the pulp to settle evenly on the screen, forming a thin layer.
STEP-4
Pressing to remove excess water
The wet sheet of pulp is carefully lifted from the mould and placed between layers of absorbent cloth or felt. This stack is then pressed to remove excess water and flatten the sheet.
STEP-5
Drying of the sheets
After pressing, the paper sheets are removed from the cloth and hung or laid flat to air dry. The sheets are solar dried so the drying process can take several hours or even days, depending on the climate.
STEP-6
Calendering to smoothen the paper
Once dry, the sheets are smoothed and polished, often with a roller, to create a uniform texture. The finished paper is then trimmed to the desired size and is ready for use in various applications, from stationery to art.