Paste Papers made by BYU students
May 5, 2008
This was a class that I helped to teach at BYU about a year ago. I apologize for the poor quality of some of the photographs, and some of the papers are still wet. But still I thought I’d just go ahead and post all of them, since I know I crave samples of paste papers. Someday I’ll get around to writing a paste paper tutorial…
You can also see some of my own paste papers here.
Lili's Bookbinding Blog 
lovely……
what are paste papers? & how do you make them?
Such lovely paste papers! I have a paste paper tutorial that I wrote for Bookbinding Etsy Street Team’s blog but also posted on my own blog. Here is the link to it if you are interested.
Hi Arleen,
Bookbinders often make their own decorated papers. Pastepapers are basically glorified fingerpainting, where the base is paste made from rice, wheat, or corn flour–or sometimes methyl cellulose…(there are hundreds of recipes). At any rate, paste is mixed up and pigment is added to the paste; then it is slapped onto paper and manipulated however the artist fancies. Someday I’d really like to post a tutorial, but I’m encouraged to see how much is online now! When I first became interested in bookbinding I couldn’t find a lot of information on these kinds of things. But now if you google it, you can find lots of paste paper tutorials… Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Paper Kitty,
Thanks for the link! I actually found your post earlier today when I googled paste paper. I’m encouraged to see more and more tutorials appearing–I think the internet is helping to revive many of the arts! Keep up the beautiful work!
Numbers 59, 6, 31, and 19 are my favorite, in that order (favoritest to less favoritest). Very cool.
I know you already sort of answered the question, but what does one use paste papers for?
Also, who made all of these? Your students?
Lili! I’m excited you’ve started a bookbinding blog. I’ll be sure to check it out often. :) Erin
Rob, they were made by “my” (Mark’s) students. And I’m working on an entry for “how paste paper is used,” but mostly it’s used for book covers. Sometimes to line furniture, and in a more contemporary setting, it’s used in collages and card-making.
Erin, thanks for stopping by! This is fun, I think I’m hooked and hopefully will continue to build the blog (it occured to me as I started this that I have a lot to share!)
I’m so excited that you have a bookbinding blog. I’ll be sending my students to your blog. You’re absolutely amazing, and an inspiration!
It’s fun to see a few familiar paste papers!!
Hi Melissa! I’ve become a frequenter of your blog, too. My sisters sew and are all moms, so I sent them the link of your gorgeous dress you made. I think your website was one of my motivators for getting some stuff online. Someday I’ll have a proper website, but not until I’m done with school! Congrats on the birth of your beautiful daughter and keep adding gorgeous posts of the amazing things you do!
Great examples… thanks for posting. Since you say you crave examples, here is a link to a few of mine. http://www.turtlesilk.com/gallery/pastepaper/index.htm
Hey there! I love your work! I am currently seeking a BFA (in ceramics) and am taking a book binding class just for fun. We are making paste papers & I love yours! I’ve mentioned this post, your blog (and your awesome books) on my blog here; http://crossxmyxhooks.blogspot.com/2010/08/make-it-mondays-paste-papers.html
hope you’ll pop by! Thanks for posting these, it’s a great inspiration!