"Paste printing" was first developed in Europe in the late 16th century as a form of decorating papers which were used for both covers and end-papers in binding books. The technique is not actually a printing process because no press is involved and I often use the term "paste-patterned paper" to avoid confusion.
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In the most simple terms the technique could be described as a displacement process whereby the pigmented paste (made from cooking wheat flour and rice flour) is applied directly to dampened paper and manipulated with tools (commonly called combs), notched squares of matboard, carved erasers, or relief rollers. Tube watercolor is most often used to color the paste but a number of water-soluble pigments will work, such as gouache, powdered pigments, and tempera paints. Gouache is not as transparent as watercolor and powdered pigments must be more thoroughly mixed with the paste. Tempera paints are advisable if non-toxicity is important. Adding metallic or pearlescent paints gives the patterned paper a lively sheen. My choice of papers is influenced by how I plan to use the paper. For binding books and covering boxes I use papers with strength and good foldability. Watercolor and heavy printing papers are good for cards and writing stationery. Handmade papers are excellent to use and I especially enjoy using handmade Japanese paper because of its transparency and its intense reaction to the drying of the paste. Raised patterns similar to embossing can be created by using only the paste or adding only a small amount of pigment. The paper for the sample here is Okawara, a Japanese paper made in the village of Nomura-cho, in Ehime Prefecture. It is handmade from 100% kozo and has a pH of 6.8. The original size is 14" x 35". The base colorant used in these samples is tube watercolor.
