What is Deckle Edge Paper?
Deckle Edge Paper is, in some ways, a relic of a bygone era, a sign on books and journals of a time before machine cutting and mechanized printing. It, essentially, refers to paper that has been cut imperfectly, creating feathery edges on the paper. This imperfection was largely caused by the fact that, before mechanized printing, the paper was cut by hand with knives. Though the workers attempted to be as straight and perfect as possible, human error always had to be taken into consideration. For many years, it was a curse to publishers, a sign of imperfections, but in the modern era, deckle edge paper printing is a way to make any printing project stand out and take on a unique, rustic look.
A Symbol of Status
As mechanized printing has become the norm more and more, older ways of accomplishing tasks have become a bit of a status symbol. Deckle edge paper is not different in this regard. If you have a book made of this kind of paper, that means it was made by a person, by hand, and not by a machine along with a thousand other copies of the same book. Even though the deckle edge comes from imperfection, there is a certain mark of quality to it in the modern era. People are naturally more impressed with things they see as being handmade, and so the use of it can add significant value to any book or piece of art.
The Imperfections can come at a price
Generally, this kind of paper is going to be handmade, and making things by hand tends to increase the price. 125 wedding invitations, for example, on deckle edge paper can reasonably be expected to cost you over $700. It can, at times, run you up to $1 a sheet.
The DIY way
So, how does someone create deckle edge paper? There are printing companies out there that can do it for you, but this can also be a fun project for any household and provide a way to spice up any paper goods needed for events or occasions. A deckle edge paper cutter will generally cost you anywhere from $20 to nearly $200, depending on the quality and size of the machine.
If you don’t wish to spend that kind of money, here’s how to make deckle edge paper. All you need is a ruler, a brush, and some water will suffice. Simply lay your ruler where you want the edge to be, run your wet brush along the edges, and give the paper time to soak. Once the paper has fully soaked, press down on the ruler and tear off the parts of the paper you don’t need. This will create a series of imperfect tears that will create a rustic, classic look.
Deckle edge paper and envelopes can be a great way to make those party invitations look a lot more interesting or even a way to give yourself a fun deckle edge paper journal.
Can you print on Deckle Edge Paper?
Printing can be a bit of a hassle. If you are going to make your own, it is recommended that you print out what you need first before creating those deckle edges. Modern printers are designed for papers with smooth surfaces. It can catch on the printing mechanisms and jam up, destroying what you’ve worked hard on and possibly wrecking the printer. There are printing services out there that will allow you to print on deckle edge paper, but if you are trying to stay DIY, print first, then deckle.
Love it? But not want to DIY it?
Love the idea of making your own Deckled Edge Paper or Envelopes, but don’t want to do a full DIY or just don’t have the time to do it before your next big event? We totally understand. It is beautiful and perfect for weddings, invitations, scrapbooking, and a variety of other crafts! We at Paper Papers have a large variety of Deckled Edge Paper, Envelopes, and Cards, so make sure to check our full selection!
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