Made-to-order handmade paper service

Handmade paper is slowly made in the truest sense of the words.

Plant fibres are processed in my studio using a Hollander beater for approximately 3-6 hours. While the fibres are processing, I will prepare the botanical dye using recipes that I have developed over time. Usually I use natural dye in the form of plant extract, mixing the powders and preparing the mordants by hand, but occasionally I will forage for colour in nature and gently extract the dye myself from petals, leaves and bark, among other botanicals.

When the plant fibres are perfectly processed into a cloud-like pulp, they are transferred to a vat for dyeing. This is where magic of plants is revealed overnight, as the colour slowly bonds to the fibres.

The following day the sheets are formed by hand using a traditional deckle and mould and transferred to couching cloths (pronounced 'cooching') where they are pressed and hung to dry.

Once dry (this can take a day or two) I peel each sheet away from the cloth and press the sheets a second time to make them flat. This again is an overnight wait as the fibres need time to 'conform'.

The paper is internally sized in the vat to improve its compatibility with ink but it will behave differently to commercial watercolour papers, so I would always recommend experimenting first. The deckled edges are moderately wild and fluffy giving it an organic tactile look.

My paper is primarily formulated for letterpress and other relief printing techniques, but it works well with many other mediums. It has a linen-like texture and is a luxurious mid-weight stock, similar to a 400gsm card stock. Pillowy enough for a lovely deep letterpress impression, but firm enough for watercolours and calligraphy.

Many customers have had success with digital print. Feedback has been positive but the process can be somewhat 'trial and error' and results are very dependent on the capabilities of the printer being used.

There are currently 12 colours in my core collection, each one a recipe of botanicals developed and perfected myself over time. Botanical dyes are natural, beautiful and multi-faceted. They are also somewhat temperamental! Many factors can affect the outcome of the colour right, from the conditions of the soil it grows in to the pH of the water in the dye bath and even the oxygen in the air. Just as all plants have different unique qualities, so do the dyes they produce. Because of these natural qualities, colours do vary slightly from batch to batch. I recommend having a read about the dyes and their nuances here so that you know what to expect from the colours.

When you order a bulk made-to-order batch you can guarantee better consistency as all the sheets will be formed from the same dye batch. If you are worried about the characteristics or consistency of a particular colour, do get in touch and I can advise you on its particular characteristics.

There is a minimum lead time of 2 weeks which in peak seasons can stretch to 8+ weeks, so it's always good to plan ahead and check the website banner at the top to find out current lead times.

I am able to offer custom fibre blends, colours, special inclusions etc. Just get in touch via email if you would like to discuss an idea or talk about the possibilities.

Thanks to my big, beautiful 19th Century press, I offer an in-house letterpress printing service! I print (almost) exclusively on my handmade paper using time-honoured techniques combined with a few modern innovations. Lead times for this can vary depending on the level of service you need.

I can also provide a basic design service for those who would like some extra help preparing their designs for the letterpress process. Click here for more information on my Letterpress Printing Service.

Orders can be placed by using the order submission form.

When I have received your order submission form, I will send you an invoice via email and payment is via bank transfer (or PayPal for international customers). I will also allocate a slot for you in the batch production schedule.

Please be aware that you have 48 hours to pay the invoice to secure your slot in the batch production schedule. Batches are scheduled on a ‘first come, first served’ basis from payment of the invoice and a delay in payment may result in a longer lead time due to the reallocation of your slot.

All orders will be shipped fully insured and with a tracking service. The cost of shipping is dependent upon the size of your order. A shipping and handling fee will be included in any invoices and on quotes where a shipping location has been provided.

UK orders: 1-3 days

International orders: 1-3 weeks (depending on location)