Decorative handmade lokta papers from Nepal are wonderful papers to work with. The richness of their colours, tactility of the paper and the huge range of patterns to choose from are a treat for all paper lovers. Alongside their quality, they can also be celebrated as a fully sustainable resource.
Choose from small repeat geometric designs, botanical Toile de Jouy style prints or full sheet patterns of an arborteum screen printed in gold or copper metallic. The papers are versatile and with no grain direction can be used for bookbinding, papercrafts, lampshades and fine gift wrapping.
In Nepal, lokta paper is made from the bark of the Daphne shrub that grows in the northern Himalayan regions at an altitude of 2000 metres or above. The bark of these shrubs is called lokta, from which the paper derives its name.
When the Daphne shrub is mature, the plant is harvested. The slender stems are cut at ground level to about 20cm without destroying the main roots. It takes about 4-8 years for the plant to grow and mature again for another harvest. Lokta plant cultivation therefore provides an environmentally sound, self-sustaining and natural resource. The popularity of this paper-making also provides for the local Nepalese people, esp. women, by providing jobs, income and financial independence.
Nepalese lokta paper is prized for its strength and durability. The fibre has a high length to width ratio which makes the paper strong (high tearing strength) and is resistant and durable. The paper can withstand temperature extremes, dampness and contains a natural enzyme which resists damage from insects or the like.
The inner bark (lokta) is stripped from the Daphne plant, this harvest usually takes place in the Spring during the months of March and April. The bark is cleaned and cut into small pieces and soaked in hot water for 5-6 hours to make it soft and pliable. A lot of water is needed for this part of the process so this happens near a good source of water.
The bark is cleaned of any clay or dirt and hung in tight bundles for the water to trickle off. The dried bark is then placed in a large metal vessel and an alkaline filtrate is added. This is then boiled for several hours until the bark absorbs the filtrate and the fibres are soft.
After a further washing the soft fibres of the bark are placed on stone slabs and pounded by hand into a pulp. A final check is made to ensure all dirt has been removed and when this is done the pulp is ready for paper making.
The paper mould is a rectangular wooden shape and fitted with a tightly stretched cloth. This mould is floated in the tank of pulp water and the skilled paper makers ladle the pulp onto the frame. The quantity will vary depending on the fineness or thickness of the paper being made. The decorative lokta papers that we sell are fine papers (approx. 60gsm).
The mould gets gently shaken to disperse the fibres to spread them evenly to create a uniform sheet of paper and is then removed from the water and placed tilted on the ground to dry in the sun.
Finally, once dried, the paper is carefully peeled off from the cloth and taken to local factories where it is dyed and screen printed.