Mouldmade papers simulate the handmade process on a mechanised paper machine. These papers can be mistaken for handmade but there are distinct differences.

The mould is not held by the hand; instead it’s replaced by a slowly rotating cylinder mould, which picks up the paper stock from the vat. The paper is then deposited onto a continuously moving woollen felt.

Mould made paper combines the consistent quality of machine made (fourdrinier) papers, but with the individual character of handmade papers. Mouldmade papers are typically much stronger and flexible than a machinemade paper.  

They are of particular interest to artists and printers because of their increased surface strength and beautiful surface texture. Mould made papers won't easily tear because the fibres lay randonly across the sheet, whereas, the fibres in fourdrinier papers tend to lie in one direction, making the sheet weak in this area. 

Depending on the grade of paper, one of the characterists of mould made paper can be gorgeous deckle edges.

Last updated on January 29, 2010 by Joshua Levine