Easy Paper Making via Arnold Grummer's Kits

Paper artists and paper crafters, have you thought about making your own paper to use in projects? What a satisfying thing to do, especially when you add in the benefit of recycling waste paper to create something that's useful and unique. I recently heard from Kim Grummer, who wrote to introduce herself as the owner of Arnold Grummer's Paper Making Kits & Supplies.



Kim's father, Arnold Grummer, developed a simple method of making paper when he was Curator of the Dard Hunter Paper Museum while on faculty at the Institute of Paper Chemistry in Appleton, Wisconsin during the 60s and 70s. The museum and work of the Institute has been relocated to the campus of Georgia Tech, but Arnold Grummer's business carries on in Wisconsin, selling essential paper making supplies and kits for art and science educators, as well as folks at home. Kim's dad was an advocate of recycling long before it was popular since 'waste paper is not waste fiber,' as he was often heard to say.


As a way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, tomorrow - April 22, and the newly updated Arnold Grummer website, the company will be sending a Papermill Complete Paper and Envelope Kit to one lucky commenter on this post, and a second kit via All Things Paper on Instagram! Read on for Kim's thoughts on recycling, take a moment to enter the giveaway, and come back tomorrow, as she will be sharing an Earth Day-themed paper making tutorial.

Tomorrow is Earth Day! Some of us remember the very first Earth Day fifty years ago and the founders’ passionate message to pay attention to the planet. Reduce – Reuse – Recycle is one of many mantras that reminds us to live responsibly as consumers and households.

Crafters, artists, engineers and architects continue to contribute inventive ways to reuse everything from soda can pop-tops to industrial salvage. Maybe you have a talent for repurposing cast-offs with flair!

For upcyclers, recyclers and remakers, there’s no paper craft like paper making. It’s a creative and guilt-free way to use stashes of cardstock, printed pattern papers, and that box or closet full of paper waiting for a ‘special’ project. Even leftovers, snippets or scraps can be recycled into something new and usable.


Is it your understanding that paper making is a difficult, messy, outdoor-only activity? Then you probably haven’t discovered Arnold Grummer’s simple, counter-top way to make paper using a ‘pour’ handmold. Arnold makes the process easy, successful, and filled with possibilities. The only limit is your paper stash or wastepaper bin and your imagination!


There are two ways to make paper: pouring and dipping. The ‘pour’ method involves pouring a small amount of pulp into a handmold with high sides set in 3” of water. The ‘dip’ method uses a shallow handmold that’s dipped into a vat filled with 3” of pulp to form a sheet. Learn more about the two methods.


Every demo and class offered by Arnold Grummer used his signature Papermill Kit with a pour handmold. He got a kick out of showing how to make one sheet yellow with a pulp painting on top, and then a bright red sheet with swirling clouds of white and blue fibers. Each sheet is different than the one before it. Everyone who makes paper with a pour handmold gets a kick out of that!


But whichever method you choose, you can expect success from the very first sheet with supplies from Arnold Grummer's. Everything that bears his name has been classroom tested and proven successful for over 40 years as the go-to brand for paper making in art education at home, school or in the studio.


These photos show just a few projects made from recycled waste paper to give a glimpse of what’s possible for you to do with paper making this Earth Day or any day. Looking for an intergenerational activity with the grandkids or a family night project? Children at any age can be part of the process. By age 8 many children learn the steps and make paper on their own. Families report it can be hard to get the kids to stop!


arnoldgrummer.com will be sending an Arnold Grummer's Papermill Complete Kit to one lucky winner worldwide.


If you are on Instagram, a separate giveaway for the Papermill Pro Kit is underway via All Things Paper. Enter both places to double your chances.

To enter on this blog post:

1. Post a comment below and

2. Visit Arnold Grummer's and sign up for the newsletter. The sign-up box is located at the bottom of the home page.

The winner will be chosen from blog entries via a random number generator on Sunday, April 26 and will be announced at the bottom of this post and notified, provided a visible email address is included within the comment.

You are not required to include your email address within your comment. However, if you choose not to, you must check back to see if you are the winner. You will have until May 10 to claim your prize by emailing ann.b.martin at gmail dot com.


Follow Arnold Grummer's on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

The company is offering an additional 10% off the #300 Papermill Complete and #500 Papermill PRO kits to All Things Paper readers. Use code ATP10 at checkout.