In this project, we learnt the process and techniques of making paper and explored various materials to do so. Besides exploring the techniques of paper-making, we also experimented with different raw materials that can be used to make paper.
The process of paper making involved, sourcing the raw material and creating a pulp using the same, which is then used to make a vat. Using a mould and deckle, we extract pulp from the vat onto the mould, the pulp has to be evenly distributed across the mould to create a seamless sheet of paper. This is then transferred onto thick woollen or cotton fabric and left to dry. Once it is dry, it is peeled off of the fabric and then this sheet can be used further as paper.
The process (left to right) : Using mould & deckle to extract a sheet of paper from the vat, the pulp accumulated seamlessly onto the mould,
transferring the sheet
The most commonly used material for making paper is cotton rag. But any natural material which is fibrous in nature can be considered for creating paper. Thus we decided to explore which other raw materials other than cotton rag can used for paper-making. We also focussed on the possibility of paper being a potential medium to reuse existing discarded material and extracting the best out of existing resources, without generating more waste. Mostly we sourced our raw materials for exploration, from local sources such as the vegetable markets, juice shops and college canteen.
Given below are images of some of our explorations.
Materials used: Turmeric, ginger and amla pulp
This mixture was sourced from a local juice shop, which we used to create this grainy textured, thick and bright yellow tinted sheets.
Materials used: Sweet lime and orange pulp
This pulp was also sourced from the local juice shop, which we reused to create very beautifully textured, soft and thin sheets of paper.
Material used: Onion peels
We sourced onion peels from the local vegetable market to explore if it can be utilised for paper making. The sheets created using this were soft, smooth and created a very interesting effect when kept against light.
Material used : Cauliflower leaves
During our visit to local vegetable market, we found lot of discarded cauliflower leaves, which we then brought for our exploration. The resulting paper sheets were smooth, thin and green tinted.
Material used : Carrot peels
We sourced discarded carrot peels from our college mess for material exploration. The resulting paper sheets were smooth, thin, red tinted and creates an interesting effect when viewed against light.
These explorations helped us to broaden our understanding around paper as a medium; and how paper - making can be one of the ways to reuse a lot of the materials, deemed as waste, to their fullest. Considering from the utility point of view, a lot of the usage depends on hygienic sourcing of the raw materials, proper treatment of the materials used and the end properties of the final paper made. Based on our explorations and inferences some possible end uses could be, face and body scrubs, panels for blinds, screens, lampshades or food wrapping papers.
Guide: Vishnupriya Narayanan, Prabhat Bhai
Project teammate: Amogha GS
Photographed by : Rahul Kiran
