What Is Mulberry Paper?
Made from tree bark fiber from the Mulberry tree, Broussonetia papyrifera, mulberry paper is commonly used in paper crafts. It can be found in a variety of colors and various styles, such as smooth or textured. The mulberry fibers within the paper provide more dimension to craft projects, adding interesting textures. It is ideal for scrapbooking and collages.
Mulberry paper can be used to make cards, envelopes, books, and more. In addition, the paper can be used as a background or boarder. Mulberry paper is both strong and lightweight. As a result, it is often used by art conservators for making repairs to paintings, maps, and other similar artifacts. Depending on the damage, small pieces of the paper may be torn, affixed with adhesive, and then fitted into place.
Mulberry paper is generally torn rather than cut, as tearing provides an interesting jagged edge. There are two methods commonly used in tearing this paper. The first method is referred to as the lick and tear technique. The paper is folded where desired and then licked or moistened along the fold and subsequently torn.
For more complex shapes and curves, the drawing method is employed. With this technique, cotton swabs are dipped into water and the desired shapes are drawn onto the paper. These shapes can then be carefully torn or pressed out.
Although this paper can be readily purchased through most craft suppliers, it is not uncommon for some people to make their own. Homemade mulberry paper is a relatively easy process, depending on the method chosen. Making paper using fibers from the mulberry tree bark has long since been practiced within the Japanese culture. A similar paper can be crafted from recycled paper.
When using the tree bark method, the bark is peeled off in one-inch (2.5 cm) strips. These are then soaked in water for about twelve hours. Afterward, soda ash alkali is added to the water and the fiber is cooked for about three to four hours. Once the fiber has cooled, the water is squeezed out and then beat into pulp on a flat surface.
This pulp is placed in a container and slowly mixed with a small amount of water. A paper-making mold can then be dipped into the pulp and excess water is soaked up until the mulberry paper can be peeled from the screen. This should then be dried for about a day or so. Once dry, the paper can be pressed flat with a heavy book.
Making mulberry paper from recycled copy paper is also practiced, although this is not "true" mulberry paper. Generally, about four times as much white paper is used as colored. Papers are torn into small pieces and soaked in water overnight. The white is then separated from the colored and placed in a blender with warm water. It is then blended to an oatmeal-like consistency and the colored pieces are slowly added until the mixture resembles confetti.
A mold is used to shape the mulberry paper. Alternatively, old picture frames can be used along with some type of screening. A thin layer of pulp is applied with excess water allowed to drip through the screening material. The water is continually soaked up until the paper begins peeling away from the screen. It can then be dried for about twenty-four hours and pressed between heavy books or weights to be flattened.
Written by N. Phipps
