Make a watermark!
YoU WiLl nEeD:
10 sheets of (clean) toilet roll
or some newspaper*
Empty 2 litre bottle**
Cold water
String
Scissors
Sieve
Bowl
Tea towel
Tray
*if you use newspaper, you’ll need to use a
blender to break it up
** or a large mixing bowl and balloon whisk,
replace the shaking step with whisking
1 Put the toilet roll in the bottle and ¾ fill
it with cold water. Put the lid on. Allow it
to stand for 10 minutes.
2 Place a sieve over a large bowl and
create your watermark shape using string.
I’ve made H for Harvey. Make your first
design a simple one – it can get more
complex with practice!
3 Shake the bottle vigorously to break up
the toilet roll.
4 While the paper pulp is well suspended,
very carefully pour it over your design.
The water should drain into the bowl. Try
to make an even covering of paper pulp
over the bottom of the sieve.
5 Use the back of your hand to press out
as much water as you can.
6 Lay a tea towel onto a tray. Quickly turn
your sieve upside down over the tea towel
fall out of the sieve.
7 Carefully remove the string.
8 Fold the tea towel over the wet paper
and press hard to squeeze out as much
water as possible. Open the towel up
again and carefully peel off the paper.
Remove the towel and place your paper
on the tray to dry.
Taking it further: Why not try moulding your tissue into
a banknote shape and adding the watermark to the bottom left. Once the
paper has dried you could try painting it and designing your own money!
9 When it is dry – hold your paper up to
the light – can you see a watermark?
and give it a sharp tap. The paper should