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What is papiermaché

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dish made of Papier-maché

The material.

Papier-mâché is a material made from paper mixed with glue. It's used to create simple artworks with irregular shapes, such as decorative pieces, masks, or ornaments. The strength and water resistance depend on the type of glue used, the framework, and any additional treatments. The name "papier-mâché" originates from France. French women used to buy waste paper from publishers and bookbinders and chewed it to soften it. Hence the name "papier-mâché," which literally translates to "chewed paper" in French.

That was before the invention of machines that could grind paper finely. Despite its French name, papier-mâché is not a French invention. Paper was invented in China in the 2nd century AD. It wasn't until the end of the 10th century that paper replaced the fibers of the papyrus plant, which had been used since ancient Egypt. So, paper replaced papyrus but adopted its name! In France, papier-mâché was already used in the 16th century for doll heads, but it wasn't until the 17th century that French craftsmen, as the first in Europe, became interested in papier-mâché for commercial purposes.
suppliesPapier-mâché can be divided into two categories:

  • Working with layers of paper.
  • Working with pulp.

Of course, you can also combine both methods. For both methods, you use the same materials: paper and glue.

The glue.

There are different types of glue used in papier-mâché. Here's an overview:

  • Wallpaper paste: This is a very cheap glue, and only a small amount is needed. However, multiple layers of paper are usually required to achieve sufficient strength
  • Flour and water glue: Boil 5 cups of water. Mix ¼ cup of sifted flour with a cup of cold water. Mix until you get a smooth paste without lumps. Add this mixture to the boiled water. Let it simmer gently for about three minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens. Let it cool before use. For a thicker glue, use 1 cup of flour for 3 cups of water. The process is the same.
  •  PVA glue: This is white household glue, which can also be wood glue. This glue is stronger than wallpaper paste or flour and water glue, so thinner layers can be used. The glue can also be diluted with water if needed.

All types of glue can be used for both the pulp and layering techniques.

The paper.

Various types of paper can be used for papier-mâché. While newspapers are commonly used, other options include:

  • Copy paper
  • Colored paper
  • Rice paper
  • Crepe paper
  • Tissue paper
  • Kraft paper
  • Egg cartons
  • Toilet paper

Each type of paper, influenced by its color or texture, can create different effects in the papier-mâché project.

The method using layers of paper:

For working in layers, the paper is torn or cut into small pieces or strips. These are then coated with glue and applied to a base form. Air bubbles are smoothed out with fingers or a brush. Avoid applying more than about 3 layers at a time to prevent excessive drying time. Then, you can build layer by layer until you achieve the desired thickness and shape.
last layer with white paperHandles and similar features can be cut out from cardboard. Tape these onto your form and then cover the entire structure with several layers of papier-mâché. After drying, which may take several days, you can remove the base form if desired. Then, you can proceed to further refine the shape if needed.


The method using paper pulp.

Paper-maché pulp is made by shredding and soaking paper (such as newspaper), causing it to fall apart. Additionally, glue is added. While it's still soggy, the piece is shaped, possibly using a mold or form. Once the paper-maché has dried, the work is finished.

Supplies needed for making pulp:

  • Half a bucket of hand-torn pieces of paper
  • An old saucepan
  • Wallpaper paste, flour-based glue, P.V.A. glue, white craft glue, or wood glue
  • A plastic bowl
  • A colander
Procedure for making pulp:

  • Soak torn pieces of paper measuring 1.5 x 1.5 cm in water overnight.
  • Then, place it in the old pan and fill it almost to the top with water.
  • Boil the paper for a minimum of 30 minutes to loosen the fibers.
  • Let it cool down a bit and mash it in the pan with a whisk until it becomes a pulp.
  • Scoop the mixture out of the pan and let it drain in a colander or fine sieve. Squeeze out the water by pressing the pulp together with your hands. Remove as much water as possible because you need a mixture that can be easily kneaded into a shape. It shouldn't be too wet but also not too tough!
  • Transfer the compressed pulp to a bowl and let it cool down a bit more if it's still too warm to knead.
  • Add 4 spoons of craft glue or 3 spoons of wallpaper paste and mix well.
  • If the pulp feels too tough, spray it with water using a plant sprayer or add some more glue.
  • Continue kneading. The pulp should now feel like clay and can be used.
adding glueTypes of pulp:

  • Thin paper: tissue paper, crepe paper, paper tissues, and toilet paper provide a fine, porcelain-like pulp.
  • Newspaper: also yields a workable pulp.
  • Egg cartons: produce sturdy, rough pulp.

You may need to experiment with these to achieve different textures for your papier-mâché object. Pulp can be molded into almost any shape and is lightweight and strong. Objects made from pulp take much longer to dry than those made from strips of newspaper.
sculpting pulp on top of a shapePapier-mâché can be used without a mold, but it makes it a difficult and fragile material to handle. Various objects can be used as molds, such as:

  • Balloons: These can be removed after drying by quickly deflating them, if accessible.
  • Bowls or dishes: These should be coated with a layer first.
  • Baking molds
  • Balls
let it dryTo prevent the papier-mâché from sticking to the mold, it should be coated beforehand. This can be done with:

  • Vaseline
  • Oil (sunflower oil)
  • Wax cream

These products should all be applied thinly as they leave a layer on the workpiece. Other options are:

  • Cling film; this does not leave a layer but does leave a somewhat wrinkled impression.
  • Wet paper; so not wet with glue, but with clean water.

You can also wrap the papier-mâché around a frame. This frame can then no longer be removed. You can use all kinds of materials to make a frame. Some possibilities:

  • Boxes; are often useful basic shapes.
  • Aluminum foil; this is easy to model around, for example, electrical wire.
  • Newspaper wads; these can quickly fill a large volume.
  • Mesh; sharp points are bent inward so that there are no sharp protrusions that can poke through the newspaper or pulp later.
  • Electrical wire; this allows you to easily create arms and legs in the correct position.
  • Cardboard; this allows you to easily attach ears or handles to pots.
  • Plastic packaging material; is available in various shapes.
  • Wood; makes your frame a bit sturdier.
  • Metal wire; is available in various thicknesses.

Make your frame from the necessary materials. Stick these together with glue or tape, and cover them with several layers of papier-mâché.
finish the paper maché object how you like

Finishing details:

  • You can paint objects made of papier-mâché quite effectively. If you finish them with acrylic paint, they become less vulnerable to water. However, wait until the papier-mâché is completely dry before painting. Once the artwork is painted in the desired colors, you can apply a layer of varnish. Water-based or waterproof varnish is available in various types, from matte to glossy.
  • Objects made of papier-mâché can also be finished with a layer of colored tissue or crepe paper. This creates a beautiful deep color in places where the edges of the paper overlap.
  • Decoupage is the art of decorating a surface with printed paper, illustrations from newspapers, magazines, etc. You cut out the shapes, glue them onto a prepared surface, and then apply a few layers of varnish. The result resembles inlaid or painted work.
  • Adding reliefs under the final layer of paper or pulp can create a unique effect during finishing. You can use various materials for this purpose: strings, seeds, beans, plastic figurines, shells, beads, lace, fabric, fabric flowers, leather, glass, mirrors, and so on.