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Papermaking Crafts

Truly unique handmade paper!

Papermaking Crafts

Truly unique handmade paper!
 
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Papermaking

Mold and Deckle

Essential tool for papermaking
Papermaking mold and deckle made of wood
What you will make:

The mold and deckle in this project is an essential tool for handmade papermaking presented in the Handmade Paper from Recycled Scraps craft project.

Handmade paper is made with a mold and deckle. The mold is a frame covered with metal or nylon mesh, and the deckle is the frame that sits on top of the mold. The paper is formed on the mold, and the deckle is used to create straight edges on the paper sheet.

You can purchase a mold and deckle from craft and art supply stores, or make one yourself. Follow these instructions for making a mold and deckle from scratch with wood. Or you can use recycled wood picture frames as a basis for your mold and deckle. If you are a beginner just wanting to experiment with papermaking, a mold and deckle can be made from plastic canvas, duct tape, and cardboard. All three options for making the mold and deckle are presented below.

Related craft: Handmade Paper from Recycled Scraps - Make paper by hand from recycled scraps of paper.

Here's what you need:
  • 68" (1.7cm) length of ¾" (2 cm) square wood
  • Nylon or metal mesh—16 or more squares/inch (6 or more squares/cm)
  • Non-rusting staples and staple gun
  • 8 - L-shaped brass corner brace plates with screws
  • Wood glue
  • Varnish
  • Paintbrush
  • Saw
  • Sandpaper
  • Screwdriver
  • Scissors
  • Ruler

This project is rated AVERAGE to do.

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Before you start
  • Make a place to work.
  • Read all of the directions.
  • Gather everything you need to do the project.
  • Think about the project. Imagine how it will look and what you will do with it.
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How to Make a Mold and Deckle from Wood

Read all of the steps before starting.
Step 1: Cut Wood

Cut four 8" (20 cm) and four 9" (23 cm) lengths of wood.

Step 2: Glue

Glue the wood together to form two identical 8" by 9" (20 cm by 23 cm) frames. Reinforce each corner with a brass corner brace plate screwed in place.

Step 3: Sand and Varnish

Sand any sharp edges, and varnish to make water-resistant. If you use a water-resistant wood, like redwood, skip the varnish step.

Step 4: Staple Mesh

Cut a piece of nylon or metal mesh to fit the mold. Stretch taut and staple in place. It is important that the mesh is stretched tightly and evenly over the top of the mold.

Go to Handmade Paper from Recycled Scraps craft project.

That's it!  Your mold and deckle are ready to use! Wood mold and deckle

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Make a Mold and Deckle from Picture Frames

Here's what you need:
  • Two old wooden picture frames, no bigger than 8" by 10" (20 cm by 25 cm)
  • Nylon or metal mesh—16 or more squares/inch (6 or more squares/cm)
  • Non-rusting staples and staple gun
  • Varnish
  • Paintbrush
  • Sandpaper
  • Scissors
  • Ruler
Step 1: Clean Frames

Clean the frames, removing any staples or other hardware.

Step 2: Sand and Varnish

Sand any sharp edges, and varnish to make water-resistant.

Step 3: Staple Mesh

Cut a piece of nylon or metal mesh to fit the mold. Stretch taut and staple in place. It is important that the mesh is stretched tightly and evenly over the top of the mold.

Make a Mold and Deckle from Plastic Canvas

Here's what you need:
  • 8" (20 cm) by 9" (23 cm) rectangle of stiff plastic canvas
  • Same-size piece of stiff cardboard
  • Duct tape
  • Scissors
  • Ruler
Step 1: Cut Plastic Canvas

Cut an 8" by 9" (20 cm by 23 cm) rectangle of plastic canvas to form the basis of your mold.

Step 2: Tape Edges

Cover the edges of the plastic canvas with duct tape.

Step 3: Cut Cardboard

Cut an 8" by 9" (20 cm by 23 cm) rectangle of stiff cardboard, then cut out a 6" by 7" (15 cm by 18 cm) rectangle from the center. This will leave a frame to use as a deckle.

Step 4: Wrap in Duct Tape

Cover the frame (deckle) with duct tape to waterproof.

See an example of the completed mold and deckle.

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