Make a Simple Paper Press for Home-Made Paper

Create Hand-Made Notes and Cards From Waste Paper With This Press

Apr 3, 2010
Victoria Nicks

Use a Paper Press to Make Hand-Made Paper - svilen001

A paper press to compress home-made paper products can be put together from common household items. Use the press to recycle waste paper into hand-made notes and cards.

Recycled waste paper from around the house is easily converted into hand-made paper crafts with a simple paper press. Instead of purchasing a store-bought paper press, enforce the conservationist message by creating one from household items. Reusing household implements to create a press is not only environmentally conscious, but also helps conserve money.

Materials Needed to Create a Paper Press at Home

There are only a few simple materials needed to create a paper press at home. These items are widely interchangeable with other materials, as long as the general purpose remains intact.

Two pieces of absorbent cloth, such as flannel, about the size of a hard-cover book.
Three large books, or other flat weights, to press the paper during drying.
One flat surface for the bottom of the press.
Two pieces of waxed paper, or plastic, to protect surfaces.

Creating a Press for Home-made Paper

A press is necessary, in order to make home-made paper flat and thin, compressing paper pulp to squeeze out water as the paper dries. A simple press can be made by combining absorbent material with a flat weight on a flat surface. The press consists of a bottom layer and a top layer.

The bottom layer of the paper press consists of a base for the press, and absorbent material to soak up some of the excess water.

Place a layer of waxed paper or plastic on a flat surface. Paper pulp is wet, and the paper press will be removing the water by force. Waxed paper or plastic protects the lower surface, to prevent water damage.
Place a layer of absorbent cloth on top of the waxed paper. The cloth absorbs some of the water squeezed out of the paper as it is being compressed.

Once paper pulp has been spread around on the bottom layer of the paper press, and shaped into the desired shape, the upper layer of the paper press can be applied.

Place a layer of cloth across the top of the paper pulp.
On top of the cloth, place another layer of waxed paper, to keep the excess water from soaking through the cloth.
Lay flat weights, such as books, on top of the waxed paper to press the paper flat and thin.

Paper Presses for Making Hand-Made Paper

Paper presses are an important part of making hand-made paper crafts, such as Seed Paper (home-made paper with seeds embedded,) but can be pricey. Follow these tips to make a simple paper press from common items, and save money while recycling waste paper into green crafts.