Decorative paper by hand: step by step instruction on manufacturing

To create original postcards, packages and gift envelopes, decorative paper, which you can make with your own hands, is quite easy. The process of its creation not only allows to create something new and original, it also perfectly develops the imagination.

pros

1. Each sheet is completely new and original.
2. The appearance and texture of the sheets is pleasant.
3. The process is so creative and exciting that the child will be pleased to participate in the work.
4. Variants of filling are various.
5. This is a good way to utilize paper waste.

Necessary materials

If you are thinking how to make decorative paper, then first of all it is necessary to prepare the necessary materials and tools. To make a design paper you need:

• Blender.
• A basin or other water tank.
• Cutting board (tray or baking tray).
• Foam sponges for washing dishes (they will need several pieces).
• Small pieces of fabric that absorb water well (felt or household napkins for kitchen or waffle towels).
• Paper - here you can take advantage of everything that is at hand (napkins, printer paper, boxes, etc.). It is better not to use newspapers and glossy publications in the work, because the color may turn out to be dull because of the large amount of the ink.
• Additional decor elements (grass blades, leaves, threads, confetti, sequins, etc.).

Step-by-step instruction

Decorative paper is made quite simply. The first step is to prepare different sheets of paper. They should be ground with scissors into pieces of medium size.

Then they are poured with water and brought to a mushy state with a blender. In the absence of a blender, the paper is allowed to become wet for a day, stirring occasionally and rubbing it with hands to the required condition. To make the decorative paper more durable, add PVA glue to the mixture. Sheets can be made in different colors, adding a lot of paper to different colors.

Now you should start forming the sheet. To do this, you need to lay out some of the mass on a cutting board and roll it out with a rolling pin, giving the sheet the necessary shape. This can also be done on a tray or tray. To make the paper mass more plastic, a little water can be added in the process. This process is creative, because at this stage it is necessary to add all kinds of fillers (sequins, inflorescences, fragrances, etc.). When the sheet is formed, you need to remove excess moisture with a sponge.

Then the cutting board with a sheet of paper is covered with a waffle towel and dried with an iron until the sheet is easily removed from the board. It must be removed with extreme care, if the decorative paper is not dried to the end and it can easily be damaged, because it is still fragile. Now the design sheet is left to dry out for the night under something heavy.

In the morning, when the decorative paper is completely dry, it can be used to make all kinds of crafts, postcards, envelopes, etc.