Give new life to old junk mail, newspapers, egg cartons and scrap paper and turn them into beautiful and useful pieces of homemade paper.
Anytime there’s a chance to reuse something in my home and either bring it back to life or repurpose it, I take it, whether that be furniture, decor and yes, even paper! Making paper is a wonderful project that gets your hands working to give new life to what would have otherwise been trash. What I love about this process is that you can customize the look based on the colors of the scrap paper you use, the additions of dried florals or seeds and more. And when you’re finished, you have a beautiful, raw piece of homemade paper that is perfect for the note to someone special, to use for gift tags and so much more!
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FAQs
What type of paper can I recycle to make homemade paper?
You can use many different types of paper like construction paper, printer paper, old envelopes, card stock, etc. to make homemade paper. However, I would avoid using any type of paper that has wax or any type of sheen or gloss to it.
Does it matter what color paper I use?
The color of the paper you use will factor in to the final color of your homemade paper. For instance, if you use envelopes that have a blue inside, your final product will have a blue/grey tint. Whereas if you use strictly printer paper or white envelopes, your final paper will be white or off white. Adding any type of colored paper will change the outcome, so be careful what colors you use. Really it will depend on the final look you’re going for?
What can I add into the paper pulp when making homemade paper?
To make homemade paper, you really only need scrap paper and water. However, you can add in dried florals, a colorant like food coloring, leaves or fibers like yarn scraps. If you plan on using this paper to draw or paint on, you may want to consider avoiding any additions, but it’s really up to you!
Can you write on homemade paper?
Of course you can write on homemade paper! Paper made from recycled junk mail is thicker and a little more difficult to write on compared to your standard notebook or printer paper, however I actually like how it feels to write on this type of paper. At the end of the day, this is really a fun project to do, especially with kids, and it’s a great way to re-purpose something in your home. Kids will have a blast learning about how paper is made and being able to color or paint on their paper once it’s all done.
How to Make Homemade Paper
Tools You May Need:
- Plastic bin
- Mould and deckle or screen
- Absorbent towels
- Blender
Materials Needed:
- Scrap paper
- Water
- Dried florals (optional)
Directions
Remove any staples or stickers from the scrap paper, then rip it into small squares about 2″ x 2″, but it doesn’t have to be exact.
Rip enough paper to have several handfuls and place them in the bottom of a plastic tub, then add enough water to the bin so the paper is fully submerged and allow it to sit for 4-6 hours or overnight.
After soaking the paper, remove it from the bin, leaving the water, and place it in a separate bowl or plastic bag. Then fill your blender about 1/3 of the way with wet paper and fill the rest with water, about a quart.
Blend everything until you get a nice pulp and add the pulp back into the bin of water and stir it in with your hands.
Slowly dunk the screen into the tub and collect an even layer of pulp by lifting straight up.
Place the screen on an absorbent towel, add dried florals (optional), and absorb the excess water by placing a towel or sponge on top and gently pressing. Wring the water out in the bin and continue until you’ve soaked up as much water as possible.
Start peeling the sides of the paper up gently, then flip the screen over onto a dry towel and slowly begin removing the paper from the screen.
Allow the homemade paper to dry for 12-15 hours (or more depending on environment) and it’s ready to use.
Notes
- Choose paper that is not glossy or shiny like receipts.
- If the paper is breaking when you’re soaking up the water, the layer of pulp isn’t thick enough or there’s too much water.Try soaking up more water and test again.
- To help the drying process, place the paper on a wire rack to allow more airflow and faster dry time.
- It’s best to use a blender that you will not use for food consumption. I found mine at the thrift store.
- If you want to add dried florals, you can mix them into the pulp or add them before removing the water from the paper.
Homemade Recycled Paper
Give new life to old junk mail, newspapers, egg cartons and scrap paper and turn them into beautiful and useful pieces of homemade paper.
Materials
- Scrap paper
- Water
- Dried florals (optional)
Tools
- Plastic bin
- Mould and deckle or screen
- Absorbent towels
- Blender
Instructions
- Remove any staples or stickers from the scrap paper, then rip it into small squares about 2" x 2", but it doesn't have to be exact.
- Rip enough paper to have several handfuls and place them in the bottom of a plastic tub, then add enough water to the bin so the paper is fully submerged and allow it to sit for 4-6 hours or overnight.
- After soaking the paper, remove it from the bin, leaving the water, and place it in a separate bowl or plastic bag. Then fill your blender about 1/3 of the way with wet paper and fill the rest with water, about a quart.
- Blend everything until you get a nice pulp and add the pulp back into the bin of water and stir it in with your hands.
- Slowly dunk the screen into the tub and collect an even layer of pulp by lifting straight up.
- Place the screen on an absorbent towel, add dried florals (optional), and absorb the excess water by placing a towel or sponge on top and gently pressing. Wring the water out in the bin and continue until you've soaked up as much water as possible.
- Start peeling the sides of the paper up gently, then flip the screen over onto a dry towel and slowly begin removing the paper from the screen.
- Allow the homemade paper to dry for 12-15 hours (or more depending on environment) and it's ready to use.
Notes
- Choose paper that is not glossy or shiny like receipts.
- If the paper is breaking when you're soaking up the water, the layer of pulp isn't thick enough or there's too much water.Try soaking up more water and test again.
- To help the drying process, place the paper on a wire rack to allow more airflow and faster dry time.
- It's best to use a blender that you will not use for food consumption. I found mine at the thrift store.
- If you want to add dried florals, you can mix them into the pulp or add them before removing the water from the paper.
Looking for more easy upcycling projects like this?
Looking for more easy upcycling projects like this homemade paper? Check these out:
- How to Upcycle Christmas Ornaments with Baking Soda Paint
- Extreme DIY Cube Organizer Makeover
- How to Make a Pleated Lampshade-Thrifted Lampshade Upcycle
- How to Make a No-Sew Rag Rug from Thrifted Sheets
Did you try making homemade paper? If you did, I’d really love to see it. Tag me on Instagram (@thesimplehomeplace) to show me your own recreation of this tutorial!
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