Handmade Cotton Rag Paper from India
Handmade cotton rag paper from India is made through a slow, traditional process, sheet by sheet. Each sheet is formed individually in a small mould or wooden screen and left to dry slowly, often naturally in the sun.
Its base is recycled cotton / cotton rag, a material that gives the paper natural texture, strength and a beautiful feel in the hand. The use of small moulds also allows the creation of the characteristic irregular edges, which are part of the papermaking process and not simply a decorative detail.
Many cotton rag papers are internally and externally gelatine sized. This helps the paper behave in a more balanced way with ink, pen, watercolor, gouache, printmaking and light wet techniques, without absorbing the medium too aggressively.
Compared to industrial papermaking, the handmade process is slower, gentler and relies more on the hands of the artisan than on heavy machinery. Each sheet is formed individually in small moulds and dried gradually, often in the sun, helping preserve its natural character. In several workshops, the water used during production is reused to irrigate nearby fields.
Why we love it:
- ♻️ Recycled cotton: made with cotton rag fibres, giving new life to a natural material.
- 🌿 Gentler production: sheets are formed individually and dried slowly, at a more natural pace.
- 💧 Responsible water use: in several workshops, production water is reused to irrigate nearby fields.
- 🤝 Support for traditional craft: the process helps preserve techniques passed down through generations.
- ✋ Handmade character: each sheet has its own texture, edges and small natural variations.
- 📜 A material with presence: the paper is not just a surface; it becomes part of the artwork’s aesthetic.
The result is a paper with character, natural texture and a lively surface. It is ideal for projects where the paper itself remains visible and contributes to the final result: invitations, stationery, handmade cards, art prints, bookbinding, printmaking, linocut, letterpress, sketching, watercolor, ink and mixed media.
👉 Mini note: what does gelatine sized mean?
Gelatine sizing is a treatment that helps the paper control the absorption of water and ink. This keeps the surface more stable and easier to work with when using pen, ink, watercolor, gouache, printmaking and creative printing techniques.
