Hand-made corn paper (6) - Making and pressing the sheets

This step includes experimenting with the pulp by adding dyes and other fibers such as cotton and recycled printed paper. As a result, there is an element of surprise once the sheets are formed and dried.



The best part of this step is the fun that comes from dipping your hands and arms to fish out the fibers using with the frame and the deckle. At this point, the fibers are drained as they collect on the screen of the frame and form into sheets.



The corn paper sheets are sandwiched between alternating sheets of felt. A stack of 8 to 10 sheets is then pressed using a two-board press as shown in the picture above.