Handmade Papermaking

The Triton & Shell handmade papermaking studio is dedicated to the study, practical application, and contemporary exploration of traditional papermaking techniques. Particular emphasis is placed on the European tradition of papermaking from textile fibres, as well as on the processing of plant materials and the study of the different properties that each fibre contributes to the finished sheet.

The studio supports all the principal stages of the papermaking process: fibre preparation and processing, pulp production and colouring, sheet formation using moulds, pressing, drying, and surface treatment. It also provides a setting for the exploration of techniques such as the use and combination of different pulps, pulp painting, and pulp printing, as well as applications that connect handmade papermaking with contemporary artistic practice.

The work of the studio is directly connected with Triton & Shell’s research into the history and technology of paper. Historical tools, moulds, and objects from the collection can be studied alongside the practical application of the techniques they represent, creating a direct connection between the historical object, technical knowledge, and contemporary making.