These wonderful Lokta papers are handmade, & screen printed in the old-fashioned way in the Kathmandu valley in Nepal. Made from the bark of a special mulberry bush (within 5 -7 years the bush will regrow its branches). The bark is peeled, beaten and cooked until it becomes smooth. Then beaten once more and cut up by machine into small pieces which creates the paper pulp. This is "dissolved" in a large water tank into which the mould for the sheet is skilfully dipped, the pulp is spread evenly across the surface. The mould is slowly removed from the water and the sheet is formed. The paper is dried on the screen in the sunlight, either vertically in the mould or traditionally at an angle. The paper is made in remote villages close to where the lokta grows, the plain paper sheets are then transported to Kathmandu where they are dyed and screen printed. Much attention has been paid to ensure fair working standards, quality control and environmentally friendly production processes. These papers are full of character and vibrance - some inconsistencies that naturally occur with such a handmade process should be expected from sheet to sheet. Deckled edges Suitable for wrapping, book arts, collage and craft projects. Size: approx. 500 x 750mm / 80gsm / no grain direction
