Now that you have the consistency for the thickness of paper you want, be sure to remove any and all clumps that you can see. Make your paper-paste as smooth as you can.
If you plan on using your paper for stationary or other writing purposes, you will want to make it ready for ink use. To prevent ink from soaking into your new paper, simply add two teaspoons of liquid starch into your paste mix and stir it well.
Next, immerse your preparation frame into the paste, with the screen on the bottom. While it’s covered with the pulp, make it as level as possible, and slowly move the frame back and forth until there is an even layer of pulp covering the top of the screen.
Once you have this layer, slowly pick up the frame, until it is hovering just above the sink or basin. Smooth out any areas that are still chunky or lumped together. Allow the screen to drip over the basin; once the water is drained, your new paper will begin to form! At this beginning stage, it is still possible to remove from or add to your paper-paste mixture to create the thickness you want.
Once the frame is dry, place a t-shirt or another form of soft fabric on top of the newly-formed paper and press down to release any water still in it. You can also press out excess water with a sponge.
Once your paper is completely dry, it’s ready to leave the frame. Very gently, remove the fabric; your paper should stay attached to the fabric instead of the screen. Once the screen and the paper are separate, without removing the fabric, arrange the paper on a flat surface to allow it to dry.
Do not remove the cloth until the paper is fully dry. Once it has reached full dryness, gently peel it away from the fabric. Your new sheet of paper is complete and ready for use!
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