ABC Paper Pulp Guide

For a while now, I've been deeply involved in creating decorations and items from paper pulp. My journey into this craft started as a curiosity and quickly turned into a passion. I've experimented with numerous ideas, drawing inspiration from both nature and creative platforms like Pinterest. After squeezing a lot of water out of paper, I feel ready to share some advice with beginners.

Here's a little disclaimer: everything I share in this guide comes from my own experiences. I've tested, tweaked, and perfected these tips and techniques myself. If I discover new tricks or better methods, I’ll be sure to update this guide accordingly. Previously, I dabbled in various materials, but increasingly, I've found myself returning to simple paper. There’s something incredibly satisfying about transforming ordinary paper into beautiful creations.

Newspapers: My First Foray into Paper Pulp

When I began my journey with paper pulp, I used ordinary printed paper that I would have otherwise thrown away for recycling. This paper was quite stiff, resulting in a fairly coarse pulp. You can see this type of pulp in my project for a paper pot cover. The pulp was quite light in color.

After some time, I started using regular newspaper (like "Metro," a free paper easily available on buses). This produced a grayish pulp, so if your project requires lighter shades, you’ll need to paint it at the end.

Many people use toilet paper for making pulp, but I prefer not to because I believe in creating with materials that have already been produced. In my daily life, I strive to follow the principles of recycling and environmental care.

By repurposing old newspapers, I not only save money but also contribute to reducing waste. It's a small step towards sustainability, and it feels good to create something beautiful and eco-friendly.

Shredding Newspapers: The First Step

In the beginning, when I wasn’t making large quantities or very large decorations, I would tear newspapers by hand or cut them with scissors, or even use a special knife and mat. This amount of paper was sufficient for my needs.

However, as my projects grew in size and I reached for paper pulp more frequently, shredding newspapers by hand became a real chore. That’s when a regular shredder came to the rescue. I must admit, I bought mine on sale on Amazon. I encourage buying second-hand (I wanted to, but couldn’t find any nearby). As they say, life became beautiful again. A few whirs of the shredder and several newspapers were processed.

In the next article, I’ll provide useful information for making paper pulp in bulk quantities. So, if you have the option, save your hands and use a shredder.

Bowls and Boxes: Essential Tools

To produce paper pulp, bowls and boxes are indispensable. First, you need them to soak the shredded paper in water. Later, you’ll use them to squeeze out the water or mix the paper with glue.

As someone who bakes a lot, I have plenty of bowls in my kitchen. However, at some point, I noticed that my bowls were gradually migrating out of the kitchen and not returning. The problem arose when I urgently needed a bowl and took my favorite white bowl “just for a moment.” Unfortunately, it turned gray over time, and I couldn't restore its original color.

My advice: immediately set aside a few bowls specifically for this purpose or buy bowls intended for making paper pulp. This will save your kitchenware and keep your favorite items from getting permanently stained.

Blenders: A Must-Have for Making Paper Pulp

Another essential tool for making paper pulp is a blender. I started with my old NINJA blender, which was just sitting on a shelf in my kitchen. It was a great blender, but I had another device for blending, so the old NINJA was gathering dust. It worked perfectly at first, but as I increased the amount of paper pulp I was making, this blender became problematic. The main issue was that you had to screw the whole container with water and paper upside down into the machine, which was quite cumbersome.

Over time, I noticed that this process was taking a toll on my hands—it was exhausting to unscrew the container and remove it from the machine. Additionally, the lid started getting clogged with paper, which made it leak, and during blending, water would sometimes splash out, making the process somewhat dangerous.

I also tried using a simple hand blender with a detachable handle and blade, which you can insert into a cup for blending. However, this method was time-consuming, and not all the paper would blend properly. I often found unblended pieces of paper, making the process inefficient. This approach didn't last long.

The game changer for me was my latest purchase—a blender with a jar. It's the simplest to use and powerful enough to blend a large amount of paper at once. It's easy to place on the base station and lock into place with a simple twist. My hands have thanked me for this switch.

If you have an unused blender at home, give it a try—you might find it works well for you. If you're planning to buy one, consider purchasing a second-hand blender. After all, you'll be blending paper, not making baby food.

PS: If you think you can blend paper in a Thermomix, I'll have to disappoint you. I tried and was very unhappy with the results (I say this secretly because if my family knew I was using the Thermomix for paper, it would not go over well. The fact that bowls keep disappearing from the kitchen is already a touchy subject!).

Tea Towels: An Essential Tool

Tea towels, such as those used for drying dishes or wringing cheese, are another essential item for making paper pulp. Linen tea towels work best for this purpose. I repurposed my old kitchen tea towels, which were more suitable for disposal than for decorative display in the kitchen.

In this guide, I focus on the basics. In a future guide, where I will show how to make paper pulp in bulk, tea towels will be used in conjunction with a large box. Together, they make an excellent tool for squeezing water out of the pulp. For now, if you don't need a large quantity of paper pulp or if you need it quickly, you can simply wring out the water from the pulp using a tea towel.

PVA Glue: The Binding Agent

For creating paper pulp, I use PVA glue. I usually add it by eye, depending on the desired consistency of the pulp. If I want a smoother texture, I add more glue. For a base layer or an unseen part of a project, I add less.

I don't have a preferred brand—it's just ordinary PVA glue, often purchased in 5-liter quantities. In my projects, I sometimes use the glue straight from the bottle, and other times I mix it with water. You can see in my works that sometimes water is added to the glue.

Tools for "Sculpting" Paper Pulp

While "sculpting" might be too strong a word, you can still shape paper pulp to some extent. The pulp isn’t as malleable as other materials, but it can be formed. It’s best to wait a few hours until the pulp is no longer soaking wet but still damp; this is when it’s easiest to work with.

I often use various everyday items, particularly kitchen tools and their handles. Ordinary knives from the kitchen drawer—especially those that no one was using—turned out to be perfect for working with paper pulp. You can, of course, purchase a set of sculpting tools, but you can just as easily use what you already have at home.

Creating decorations from paper pulp is not only a creative activity but also a way to recycle and care for the environment. By using old newspapers, unused blenders, kitchen tea towels, and PVA glue, you can create beautiful and unique items. Remember, the most important tools are often already in your home—you don't need to invest in expensive equipment.

Share your projects! I'd love to hear about what you've created with paper pulp.