Cast Paper is a paper crafting technique in which paper fiber or pulp, such as cotton fiber paper, is formed using a mold. The pulp may consist of pure fiber, or be an amalgam of fiber, binder, and filler, such as Papier-mâché. The technique is employed for in-the-round sculpture as well as bas-relief.

The process of making paper by hand hasn’t changed much over the past hundreds of years. Essentially, a wet layer of pulp is formed on a mold. Cast paper sculpture has been around since the 1950s, originating in Mexico. In cast paper sculpture, mix an acid-free paper pulp in the studio (“hydro-pulper” from two raw stocks, cotton and abaca). Then, the pulp is cast into silicone rubber molds taken from original sculptures. The paper is then pressed under vacuum pressure—or by hand—in the mold, where most of the water is extracted at the same time. The drying process is completed by evaporation while the paper is still in the mold.

After the dry and hard casts are removed from the molds, the exclusive process of chasing, cast additions, cast alterations, sculpting in paper and detailing begins. It takes a great amount of time and experience to create each piece. Some works are so painstakingly detailed; they can take many months to complete.

The cast paper process is similar to the cast bronze method in many ways. Of course, the finished cast paper product is white, lightweight, and can have an enormous amount of detail due to its properties and the artists’ own inventiveness. The Eckmans are the inventors of this process.

Cast Paper Art
Similar to bronze casting, cast paper is also an ancient art form. Wet paper pulp is packed into a mold and allowed to dry.

There are many types of molds that can be used in this medium – plastic, rubber (latex), carved wood, and, plaster. I sculpt the original image using plastalina clay on a glass or metal sheet, then pour plaster of paris over this original art. When the plaster has cured, the clay is removed, destroying the original sculpture.

Building an original clay, then casts a mold. Recycled pulped paper is hand pigmented and pressed into the mold. All of the bas relief pieces have hangars embedded. They are also suitable for framing.

Bits of leaves, seeds, flower petals, thread can add to the texture and beauty of the piece. Even dryer lint can create a marvelous effect!

Blooming Seed Paper
At Cast Paper, use a variety of fresh plants, including ferns, flower petals, and more. Excess water is pressed out of the pulp, and then damp sheets are air dried until the paper is finished. Once the sheets have dried, makers carefully separate the paper from the screen molds, taking care not to tear them. The resulting product has a fine deckled edge, the slightly uneven end you will only find on fine, handmade papers.