The process of making handmade paper involves several stages:
Preparation of the pulp using high-quality raw materials such as cotton (mostly), linen, hemp, coniferous cellulose, natural dyes, and animal glues, which are soaked in vats.
Refining the pulp using a Hollander beater machine.
Actual papermaking process: the master papermaker dips the mold into the pulp and retrieves an amount, which can vary depending on the desired thickness of the sheet, distributing it evenly inside the mold using a sifting motion. The excess water is drained off, and the mold with the material is placed on felt to allow the sheet to release from the mold. The sheet is then stacked, one on top of the other, as more sheets are created using the same method.
Pressing the stack of sheets using a hydraulic press that allows for complete removal of water.
Drying the finished sheets in the open air on wooden drying racks.
