Ancient Egyptians fashioned papyrus—where paper gets its name—out of the stems of a marsh grass in 3,000 B.C. The Chinese pioneered modern papermaking where plant fibers were macerated and combined with water in a vat and then dried on a screen. Paper has played a key role in helping people communicate with one another, recording countless histories, art, and stories, and providing a long-lasting material for currencies around the world.
Modern craftspeople continue this tradition today. The Great Recession sparked a newfound interest in the DIY (do-it-yourself) movement, and the numbers of artists continuing to create handmade crafts has persisted as the economy recovers. Now, sales of crafting supplies are up in the United States. Wire mesh is among the essential materials used for crafts. Many are making craft paper with wire mesh paper moulds.
Wire Mesh Works Like a Dream for DIY Projects
Craft papermaking is one of the many versatile applications for wire mesh. Over the past century, the material has evolved from a utilitarian staple in manufacturing to a versatile medium with endless creative uses. Decorative wire mesh has a place everywhere including gardens, homes, and in custom automotive grills.
The sturdiness and practicality of metal mesh is ideal for artisans. Hard-wearing stainless steel mesh resists corrosion and rusting particularly well, allowing for multiple uses for years to come. Wire mesh, by the virtue of its material, is extremely durable. Furthermore, the maintenance needed to care for the wire mesh screens is relatively simple.
The simplicity and strength of metal mesh allows people to focus on their masterpiece. Making craft paper with wire mesh entails the following steps:
- Mash wood or cotton fibers into a pulp.
- Add any chemicals to achieve desired paper features, like color.
- Submerge a metal mesh paper mould stretched over a wooden frame to screen the solution.
- Press and dry the solution to create paper, and then cut the final product to size.
Picking An Excellent Craft Wire Mesh
Wire mesh types range by material, finish, and weave, meaning there are countless combinations to meet the demands of projects. For craft papermaking, people have a few wire mesh types to choose from:
Brass mesh is softer than other options, but may discolor over time. Look for a fine opening size to properly filter and separate plant material from the water.
The standard T-304 stainless mesh offers added strength and comes in fine opening sizes.
No matter how you plan to take advantage of wire mesh's flexibility for your crafts, we're here to help. TWP Inc. supplies and fabricates wire mesh worldwide. We're not an engineering firm, so please verify the suitability of mesh products before using them in critical applications. Established in 1969, our company has been to go-to choice for high-quality mesh products and laser cutting services with a quick turn-around. Contact us today.
