What's involved in making Natural Elements handmade paper?

It's a centuries-old tradition in Southeast Asia. The process starts with naturally shedding mulberry tree bark, harvested once a year and then air-dried.  Dried bark is boiled down many times to soften the texture and oxygen-bleached (no chlorine).  Depending on what type of paper is being created, fibers such as sugar cane, seaweed, mango leaves, etc. may be added.  After pulp mass is spread across handmade bamboo and silk gauze frames it's set out in the sun to air-dry.  Some of the sheets are milled for a smoother texture.  Next the sheets are dyed in tubs with non-toxic, acid-free dyes and again air-dried one sheet at a time.  Finally hand silkscreening begins, one color and one sheet at a time, with air-drying following each silkscreening until the design is complete.  At the end of this process the artisans have created beautiful, strong and silky gift wrap which is then gently folded and packaged for you to enjoy!

We hope you now have a greater appreciation for the patient art of papermaking and Natural Elements Paper!