Sri Aurobindo Handmade Paper

Established 1959, Pondicherry, India

Manufacturer and Exporter of Fine Cotton Paper & Handcrafted Stationery

Deckle Edge Stationery Paper

Technical Notes

Below are answers to common technical questions about our deckle edge stationery paper.

Our range

What is this paper used for?

Our handmade deckle edge cotton rag paper is ideal for fine-art wedding invitation, dining, and correspondence suites. Each sheet is hand lifted, pressed, and dried with care using heritage papermaking techniques from high quality, white cotton rag. The result is soft, luxe paper, with natural feathery deckle edges. These pieces are suitable for calligraphy, digital printing, letterpress, and light watercolour.

What is your paper made from?

Our paper is made from 100% cotton and are naturally acid-free.

How are the deckle edges formed?

The deckle edges on our paper are formed as part of the traditional hand-papermaking process when the paper pulp meets the deckle at the edge of the mould. The result is a natural, delicate, and feathery edge of fine fibres.

What sizes do you make?

We make 7 sizes of paper from place card up to A4, and 5 sizes of envelope. Our full list of sizes are available to see in our size guide which also shows the proportions between sizes.

Our "A"-sizes refer to the ISO paper size standard and not the US announcement paper size convention.

As our paper is made by hand, there is an inherent variance of ±10% in the sizes mentioned. Therefore, we highly recommend ordering a small quantity of the size you require to check they meet your requirements first, especially when combining handmade paper with machine-made paper or envelopes.

What colours do you make?

We make 11 colours including White, Ivory, Blush, and Dark Green. Our full list of colours are available to browse in our online shop.

What thicknesses (grades) do you make?

We make two thicknesses/grades 200 gsm and 300 gsm.

What is the difference between 200 gsm and 300 gsm?

If you are unfamiliar with paper weights, a good way to compare the difference between these numbers is with normal printer paper which you may have at home. Normal printer paper is around 60 gsm, so 200 gsm paper is just over 3 times as thick and our 300 gsm paper is 5 times as thick.

To feel the different weights yourself, we recommend picking up a small sample of each to give you a chance to feel the weight and texture of both.

As our paper is made by hand, there is an inherent variance of ±20% in the thickness between pieces.

Do your envelopes come with paper?

No, our envelopes and paper are sold separately, allowing you to mix and match different colours and weights if required.

Does your paper have any imperfections?

All of our paper with a natural deckle edge will contain very slight marks and indentations on the sides and corners which arise from the traditional hand-papermaking process, such as felt impressions from couching and clip impressions from drying.

Why do your sizes, weights, and colours vary between pieces?

There are some differences in our pieces due to the traditional hand-papermaking techniques used to make our paper.

There can be a variation in size (±10%), weight (±20%), and even colour shade between individual pieces due to a number of factors, such as the consistency of the pulp when lifting each sheet, the felts we use on a particular batch, the pressure used when pressing, and the humidity of the air when the pieces dry. Each factor causes slight variance in its own way. As such, all sizes, weights, and colours are approximate.

While we do try to control these factors, there will still be variation in the finished pieces which has been known to cause problems for very traditional printmakers who are new to handmade paper. Given these variances, it is recommended that printing dimensions are finalised once your pieces have arrived so they can be adjusted to the paper.

Do you make custom colours?

We are always exploring new shades, so if you are looking for a colour which we don't currently offer please get in touch with us to see if it's something we're already working on.

Do you make custom sizes?

Custom sizes are available but unfortunately have a high minimum order quantity, a custom equipment manufacture charge, and a lead-time of a few months.

We recommend viewing our size guide to check whether we already make a size which suits your need.

Raw materials and chemistry

Where does the raw material for your paper come from?

The raw material for our paper is recycled cotton offcuts from the local garment industry.

What chemicals are used in your paper?

There are two main chemicals used in our papermaking:

  1. An internal sizing agent to help bond the cotton fibres. Our internal sizing is acid-free.
  2. Dyes. The dyes used in our paper are from the textile industry as they are the most durable against fading. However, we are in the process of sourcing natural dyes.

We also treat and recycle the water used in our papermaking process, removing stray fibres and colouring. The treated water is used in the grounds of our factory, watering our gardens and coconut trees.

Artwork & printing

Is your paper suitable for digital printing?

Yes, our paper is suitable for digital printing and we recommend using an inkjet printer.

Is your paper suitable for letterpress?

Yes, our paper is suitable for letterpress, however we recommend our thicker grade of 300 gsm pieces. Our 300 gsm pieces can even come up thicker, sometimes up to 350 gsm, making them the better option for letterpress.

Is your paper suitable for calligraphy?

Yes, our paper is suitable for hand calligraphy. Our internal sizing and finish provide a fine-tooth to our pieces, making the texture nib-friendly.

If you are using our paper for the first time, we do recommend picking up a small sample of pieces in order to try your specific inks and nibs.

Is your paper suitable for watercolour?

While our paper is not considered watercolour paper with a surface sizing, our internal sizing and finish will accommodate light watercolour. However, we do not recommend our paper for heavy or wet paint work.

If you are using our paper for the first time, we do recommend trying samples of pieces in order to try your specific paints and techniques.

Placing an order

Do you offer free samples?

Due to the costs involved, we unfortunately do not offer free samples. For customers looking to sample our paper we recommend ordering the minimum quantity of five sheets for each colour, grade, and size that you would like to see.

Can you provide a quote for an order I need?

Rather than provide a quote for our core range of paper we recommend visiting our online shop where you can see our full range on display with prices and up-to-date stock availability.

We advise browsing our shop on a desktop so you can see the full menu of sizes, colours, and grades on the left-hand side.

Do you provide a discount for large orders?

We have tiered pricing where a discount is applied as the quantity of your order increases. The tiers are:

  • 5 sheets: base price
  • 10 sheets: save 10% on base price
  • 25 sheets: save 20% on base price
  • 50 sheets: save 30% on base price
  • 100 sheets: save 40% on base price
  • 250 sheets: save 50% on base price.

For customers placing regular orders, our Artisan Acccount offers additional discounts and website features.

Do you offer a discount for frequent orders?

Customers placing repeat orders of large quantities can benefit from the following additional concessions available via our Artisan Acccount:

  • A saving of 10% to customers with a 90 day order history of 1,500 pieces or more
  • A saving of 15% to customers with a 90 day order history of 3,000 pieces or more
  • A saving of 20% to customers with a 90 day order history of 4,500 pieces or more.

These savings are based on previous completed orders from the last 90 days. Previous purchases can be for any colour, size, or grade. When your account qualifies for a saving the discount is automatically applied to our online prices and is shown in your basket. Please read about our Artisan Acccount for full details.

Can I order wholesale from you?

Customers looking to order at wholesale volume can do so online using our tiered pricing mentioned above.

For customers placing regular orders, our Artisan Acccount offers additional discounts and website features.

In works, aspiration towards Perfection is true spirituality