Lokta is made from the silky inner fibrous bark of the Daphne plant, and best known for its attractive texture, the durability and strength of its fibers, and its resistance to insects. It is made sustainably supporting local papermakers.

Compared to wood pulp, hemp pulp offers 4-5 times longer fiber as well as a higher tear resistance and tensile strength. The first identified paper made from hemp dates to the early Western Han Dynasty. By the sixth century AD, this papermaking process spread to Korea and Japan. The papers used here from Kochi, Japan, are also called "manilashi", "kinwashi” or “ginwashi”. They have visibly long, unbeaten fibers embedded in the sheet.

Made from the bark of the mulberry tree, which is a common tree growing is South-east Asia, and the Indian sub-continent. Traditionally, it was used as writing paper. Today, it is commonly used for crafting, and art conservators for making repairs. The mulberry
tree is the main source of food for silkworms, which feed on the leaves of the tree. Paper is made from the bark and leaves of the tree when the plant is matured and lost its appeal to worms.

Kozo bark flecks decorate this mulberry paper from Kochi, Japan.

Unryu is one of the lightest mulberry papers and contains strands of fiber that are added to the sheet to create contrast and texture. Echizen is a high-quality paper that was used to make Japan’s first paper currency.

Hanji is traditional handmade paper made from theinner bark of paper mulberry, a tree native to Korea thatgrows in rocky mountainsides. It is known in Koreanas “dak” and is strong enough for basket cording-"jiseung".

It has abundant corn fibers embedded in the mulberry paper.

This washi paper from Mino, Japan consists of a bast fiber, native to the region. Tiny flecks of its cleanest fibers are scattered throughout the sheet, giving added texture and warmth.

This handmade paper type from the Philippines is made from the finest bast fibers native to that region, in this case, the pineapple tree.

This lightweight version of gampi comes in a natural tone with fiber and flecks evident. It has a silky and lustrous texture.

(Hemp and Mulberry) This Japanese sheet resembles a bird's nest, created with hemp and kozo fibers woven together.

Amate Bark Paper dates back to pre-Columbian times and is still handmade by indigenous Otomi artisans of central Mexico using the same methods of their Mesoamerican ancestors from nearly 3000 years ago.

(Rice/Bark) - This paper gets its name from the Chinese river port from where it was originally sold and transported. It is sometimes misleadingly described as
rice paper. While it contains rice straw, its distinctive ingredient is tree bark: the highest quality papers contain 70-85% bark and only a small proportion of rice straw.

Made from the pith of the Papyrus plant in Egypt using ancient papermaking techniques, it is used for writing as well as construction projects. It was first manufactured in Egypt in the fourth millennium BCE.

Indian white, cotton rag paper has a smooth surface.  It is made out of 100% recycled cotton to create a soft, luxurious feeling paper.

Made of 85% wood pulp, 15% rayon in
Canada, this tissue-weight paper is machine-made, strong, and mimics the look of many kozo papers.

Made by Southworth Corporation in the US, 25% cotton fibers are added to wood pulp to give the paper a crisp, archival quality.

Shell Paper is a handmade rice straw paper made with actual shell emulsion. It is made in Vietnam.

Made at Carriage House Paper in
Brooklyn, NY and JCC Manhattan. I used a combination of recycled paper and cotton pulp, and painted the paper used here to highlight its texture.