How to Prepare Paper Pulp in Larger Quantities: My Tips and Experiences
Full video with all steps below:
When I first started working with paper pulp, I only made small batches—just enough for small decorative projects. Recently, however, my plans have shifted toward larger forms, like cabinet fronts or bigger decorations. This change requires a new approach to both the quantity and the method of preparing paper pulp. In this article, I’ll share my process for large-scale production, as well as the tools and tricks that make the work much easier.
New Equipment – A Stand Blender to Ease the Work
One of the most significant upgrades to my process is new equipment: a stand blender. After a long time of manually breaking down the pulp, using the blender has been a true relief. The process is not only faster but also far less tiring on my hands. The blender does most of the heavy work, allowing me to organize and produce more efficiently.
Water Draining – A Simple DIY Drying Rack
Draining water from large amounts of pulp used to be time-consuming, but now I use a simple, self-made drying rack. I lay a kitchen cloth over a large plastic container, securing the edges with clothespins or binder clips, which works wonderfully for this purpose. After pouring the pulp onto the cloth, the water drains naturally, and I can help the process along as needed. When time is critical, I use the classic hand-squeezing method, but if I can wait, I prepare the mass in advance and let it dry naturally.
Shredding Paper – A Shredder for Faster Pulp Preparation
In a previous blog post, “The ABCs of Paper Pulp,” I mentioned that I used to shred paper by hand for smaller projects. Now, with larger production in mind, I use a paper shredder. This change has been crucial, as the shredder quickly turns paper into fine strips, which significantly speeds up the soaking and blending process. This way, I can prepare more pulp with much less effort.
Draining Board – An Essential Tool in the Production Process
Another practical tool I use is a flat draining board. It can be any flat object that doesn’t absorb water—I used an old board that I wrapped in tape to prevent it from soaking up moisture. This makes it easy to press out excess water, so the pulp dries more quickly. If I leave the mass for 2-3 days, occasionally pressing it with the board, I can achieve an optimal moisture level without extra effort.
Paper Quantity – How Much Paper Is Needed for Larger Batches of Pulp?
For this batch, I used around four thin newspapers, like Metro. If I have thicker newspapers, two are usually enough. This amount of paper produces a substantial amount of pulp, which I can further increase by adding PVA glue. It’s the perfect solution for creating larger decorations and items with a more complex structure.
Large-Scale Paper Pulp Production
Working with paper pulp in larger quantities requires new tools and techniques. The stand blender, paper shredder, and improvised drying rack have significantly streamlined my process. Thanks to these improvements, I can create more, faster, which opens up possibilities for bigger projects. I hope these tips are helpful, and that you’ll try making paper pulp on a larger scale too!
What you’ll need:
Newspapers
Shredder
Blender
2 large plastic containers
Water
Small container / cup / jar for adding water
Kitchen cloth (sized to fit the container)
Clothespins / binder clips
Flat object for draining water (in my case, a wooden board wrapped in tape)
PVA glue (for the final step)
In the first step, separate the newspapers into single or double sheets, depending on how much paper your shredder can handle at once.
In the next step, transfer the paper to a plastic container and cover it with water. I usually let the paper soak overnight, but a few hours should be enough.
Next, blend the soaked paper. Remember to add plenty of water to the blender jar so the paper can be easily processed.
Next, pour the blended paper onto your drying rack (a plastic container lined with a kitchen cloth).
Spread and even out the paper pulp using a flat object. Allow the water to drain freely. Leave it for a few hours, and occasionally press the pulp with the flat object. After 2-3 days, the pulp should be much less wet.
