Everything is placed in a container, covered with water and brought to a boil. It is mixed for about two hours with some common chemicals , and then allowed to cool. Then it is left until most of the water dries up. The substance left- , called pulp- , can be stored until you are ready to make paper.

When you are ready, the pulp is mixed with water again. Then the pulp is poured into a mold. The mold is made of small squares of wire that hold the shape and thickness of the paper. To help dry the paper, the mold lets the water flow through the small wire squares.

After several more drying steps, the paper is carefully lifted back from the mold. It is now strong enough to be touched.

The paper is smoothed and pressed to remove trapped-airtrapped air. You can use a common electric iron used for pressing clothes.

There are many other technologies for people making paper using small machines. Internet users can do a search and find directions for making homemade paper. You can also order information about making paper from the website enterpriseworks. org.

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