Most advanced origami projects require more strength than typical papers formed of wood pulp. We prefer to make paper with at least half of the fiber from the abaca plant. Some added hemp or flax will make the paper harder; cotton will make it softer. Use the cotton blends for cuddly creatures such as dogs, cats, pigs and other furry critters. Use the harder paper for leathery bats, insects and models that have sharper folds, such as my North American Cardinal.
In this section, we include our recipes for paper pulps that work well for origami projects. Create the pulps described here, and then follow the papermaking instructions in the previous chapter to produce the finished paper. Beat the pulps separately so you can add them to smaller batches for testing. We use a one-pound capacity beater and tend to beat the fibers for at least thirty minutes. Tissue-thin papers require beating the pulps for several hours, and it is not unheard of to beat abaca for six hours. See the recommended beating time for each pulp.
The blended pulps are colored and sheet-formed first in small test batches, and we use either an electric drier or microwave oven to preview the final result. This allows us to adjust the proportions and colors before blending, coloring and suspending an entire batch of fiber in the vat.
Scrapbook of handmade paper samples and notes of fiber blends, coloring agents and beating times.
PAPER FIBERS AND BEATING TIMES
I use many different fiber blends in my work. Each has specific qualities for sheet-forming and final results. You can use these fibers for making your own pulp for your papermaking, or you can use them when ordering ready-to-use pulp.
Abaca (Musa textilis)
This is a great all-purpose pulp. It is the strongest of all the plant fibers listed. This somewhat silky and springy pulp is an excellent choice for any origami project. Beating time can be anywhere from a half-hour to twelve hours. Use 100 percent or in blends.
Cotton Rag (Also called “half stuff”)
This pulp produces a very strong sheet and with good compressibility. Beating time can be anywhere from a half-hour to four hours. Use 100 percent or in blends.
Cotton Linters
This pulp produces a softer sheet with some “tooth.” Beating time can be anywhere from a half-hour to one hour. I use in blends only.
True Hemp (Canabis sativa)
This pulp produces a strong, crisp sheet with some tooth. Beating time can be anywhere from a half-hour to eight hours. Use 100 percent or in blends.
Flax (Linum usitatissimum)
These sheets are strong and crisp. Excellent for over-beaten pulps and tissue making. Beating time can be anywhere from a half-hour to twelve hours. Use 100 percent or in blends.
These pulps are very strong and are easy to form into even sheets. I use these pulps to make paper for folding mammal and bird subjects of simple to intermediate complexity. The sheets may be formed moderately thin to very thick. The qualities of these pulps are excellent for wet-folding techniques. The abaca fibers will be long and strong while the cotton adds softness and compressibility.
Abaca, 80 percent, Cotton Linters, first-cut, 20 percent
Beating time: One hour.
Internal size: Liquid alkylketene dimer emulsion (I use 4 tablespoons per dry pound of pulp, which is double the usual dose).
Beat both pulps in the same batch. Add color, if desired, and then add the liquid size. Mix well.
Overbeaten Abaca Pulp, 100 percent
Beating time: Six to twelve hours.
Internal size: None.
Overbeating makes this pulp extremely strong and somewhat translucent. It drains slowly on the screen and can be a challenge to form into large sheets. I use this pulp to make paper for folding animal and plant subjects of intermediate to super-complex levels. The sheets may be formed as thin as tissue. Such papers are perfect for folding origami insect models.
Abaca, 100 percent
Beating time: Four to six hours.
Internal size: Liquid alkylketene dimer emulsion (I use 2 tablespoons per dry pound of pulp).
Beat pulp. Add color, if desired, and then add the liquid size. Mix well.
Satoshi Kamiya’s 50/50 Blend
Abaca, 50 percent
True Hemp, 50 percent
Beating time: Three to eight hours.
Internal size: Liquid alkylketene dimer emulsion (I use 2 tablespoons per dry pound of pulp).
I named this pulp for Satoshi Kamiya, who is a brilliant and gifted origami artist from Nagoya, Japan. Satoshi came to the Origamido Studio in 2001–2 to study papermaking for origami. After much preliminary experimenting, he determined that his favorite blend was 50 percent abaca and 50 percent True Hemp, each beaten separately for at least three hours. This pulp is then formed as thin as tissue for Satoshi’s super-complex origami insect designs. It has the strength and resilience of the abaca and a nice toothy texture contributed by the hemp.
One can beat both pulps in the same batch. After beating, add color, if desired, and then add the liquid size. Mix well.
Robert Lang’s Origami Insect Paper
Abaca, 60 percent
True Hemp, 40 percent
Beating time: Hemp, four hours; abaca, six to eight hours.
Internal size: Liquid alkylketene dimer emulsion (I use 2 tablespoons per dry pound of pulp).
I named this pulp for Dr Robert Lang, who is one of the most important American origami artists. Robert’s contributions to origami are numerous and in many different areas. He has come to the Origamido Studio on many occasions to learn about papermaking for origami and to make his own paper. I have been tinkering with blends and methods for Robert’s super-complex designs for several years now. His work and the conversations we have had have been a driving force in much of my recent experiments in papermaking. This special blend is one of my favorites.
Beat each pulp separately and then blend them together. Add color, if desired, and then add the liquid size. Mix well.
Cotton Blend
Cotton Linters or Cotton Rag, 70 percent
Abaca, 30 percent
Beating time: Cotton, one hour; abaca, two to four hours.
Internal size: Liquid alkylketene dimer emulsion (I use 2 tablespoons per dry pound of pulp).
This is a wonderful pulp for folding mammal subjects. The cotton provides a nice texture and compressibility, while the abaca provides extra strength and springiness. Use linters for a softer paper and rag for a harder, smoother paper.
Beat each pulp separately and then blend. Add color, if desired, and then add the liquid size. Mix well.