Leftover paper scraps. Waste or recycle? The choice is yours

Paper scraps are unavoidable in the paper model making process. But should we throw these little scraps of seemingly useless paper in the trash creating more and more waste? For those of us who use non-glossy paper, there is a better solution.

Simply collect the scraps from your modeling projects, soak them in water for a day or two, pulverize them in a blender or with a mortar & pestle (and then apply a short series of other awesome steps) and you'll have yourself an aesthetically pleasing handmade sheet of paper!

Handmade paper making is limitless. There are so many different variations of paper that could be made by your hands alone with your paper scraps. Not only that but you can add various things to the paper to give it more character. Such as essential oils (for smell), flower metals, herbs, lint from the dryer, seeds (make plantable paper), and the list goes on.

I'm including some helpful links on how the process of handmade paper can be achieved in your own loft/condo/shack/cardboard box.

If you find a tutorial on the paper making process that requires the use of an item that you don't have or would have a hard time finding/making then by all means search for a new tutorial. Paper making isn't limited to a single set of materials.

-Kitty D.

Tags: homemade-paper

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Permalink Reply by Steven Mahler on February 8, 2012 at 12:27pm

Nice tip to all. My company makes recycled paperboard and we even collect old books to do it.

I am a package designer - structure only so my paper toys are all based on vehicles from the real world. I am not a graphics person per say. I hand color my models which are all computer designed. Please take a look at them, I would love some feedback.

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Permalink Reply by Kitty Dangerosive on February 19, 2012 at 8:41am

That's really interesting. I'll check out your work.

- Kitty D

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Permalink Reply by Jesus Gary Domingo on February 19, 2012 at 2:33am

Wonderful ! But could glossy paper scraps be recycled too ?

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Permalink Reply by Kitty Dangerosive on February 19, 2012 at 8:40am

From what I've read, no. Glossy paper cannot be used. However I'm not sure why, or if there's an extra step you can take to make it so you can use glossy paper.

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Permalink Reply by Steven Mahler on February 19, 2012 at 5:07pm

All paper grades can be recycled except wax coated. There are different process used for wax and it too can be recovered but it is very expensive. My company recovers all kind of paper or fiber based products. I could send you a poerpoint on how paper is recovered if you are interested.