Handmade Paper Production Process

Nepalese Handmade Lokta paper is made with from the barks of the wild grown shrub (Daphne Bholuwa and Daphne Papyracea) that is grown at most coniferous forests in Nepal at an altitude of 2000m to 4000m.

 Lokta paper is known for its durability and inherent resistance to insects. The lokta fiber is possibly one of the longest and strongest natural fibers in Nepal. Thus, paper made from lokta fiber is very strong. The uneven distribution and length of fibers gives lokta paper a unique texture. Most papers dissolve when put into colour solutions; lokta paper does not Therefore, lokta paper can be dyed using the dip dyeing process. The flexibility of this process gives enormous possibility for designs and colours in lokta paper.

Making paper from lokta barks constitutes manual and indigenous process. 

1. The collectors peel the raw bark from the lokta bush in the forest and dry it in the sun to reduce the weight. 
2. The dried bark is carried to the village by porters where paper is produced. 
3. The lokta is immersed in water to soften and it is cleaned to remove the black spots and impurities. Lokta soaking operation is usually done at night to save  the time. 
4. The cleaned lokta is cooked in a 100 litre drum in a mixture of water and caustic soda. The cooked lokta is washed with clean water to remove the caustic soda. 
5. The clean lokta is then beaten with a wooden mallet to make it into pulp. (In some villages where electricity is available they are using mechanical beater now a days.)
6.  The softened pulp is then moulded in 20 inch x 30 inch wooden frames by spreading the thin pulp (with a proper mix of  water and pulp) to make flat sheets of paper. 
7. The frames are dried in the sun, after which the paper is taken out of the frame.and the lokta paper sheet is ready.