Starter for today Get out your sketchbooks and turn to your next page. On this page answer the following questions. What do you think would make good paper? Have you ever made paper before?

Printmaking How to make paper

Agenda Go over what we did last time Go over starter assignment Take notes on how to make paper Watch demo on how to make paper Each group will make paper at each different station.

Last time We made accordion books as a class If you were not here last time you will want to go to the classroom website and take the notes down. You will also need to come in during advisory or after school to make an accordion book.

Supplies needed to make paper Water Leftover paper, plants, jeans, rice, etc. Plastic storage tub or vat Kitchen blender – get one you don’t plan on using for food A screen attached to a frame (Mould & Deckle) Wood boards or sponge & rolling pin Towels or something absorbent

Step 1 Cut or rip up the paper into about 1 inch pieces Soak your paper for a few hours or overnight. Thicker paper works best, however experiment with junk mail, office paper, paper grocery bags, the yellow pages, rejection letters, etc. No plastic!

Step 2 Blend it and make a vat of pulp Fill the blender with water Throw in a good handful or two of cut up paper. Do not throw in any more or you will burn out the motor on the blender. Blend until it’s pulp Do not use for food any more. Put into the tubs when ready.

Step 3 Pull your sheets Stir your vat of pulp. Hold the screen at a 45 degree angle dip the screen into the vat of pulp water. Scoop up shake to make an even sheet on top of the screen. Let the water drain to a drip

Step 4 Couching (**Pronounced coo-ching) This means transferring the wet sheet from the mould (screen) to a flat, absorbent surface with a board underneath. Put the cloth flat onto the pulp paper on the screen. Press down and turn over to push on the screen to release the paper onto the cloth. Carefully put the cloth onto a flat board paper side up.

Step 5 Using a paper towel on top of your freshly couched sheet. With a sponge, press gently at first, than press firmly with as much pressure as possible. Using the brayers press your paper even more.

Step 6 Drying Find a flat, non-porous surface. Smooth wood boards, plexiglass etc. Take your wet sheet and gently press onto the flat surface. Make sure the edges are pressed down well Let the paper dry (1-3 days depending) Peel it off.

Studio Time Work in groups of 4-5 (or your table) Each of you needs to make at least 1 piece of paper per. Person per station (that means 6 pieces of paper for each of you) If you get done early making paper for your group, go back to your favorite station and make more.