Papermaking at The University of Iowa The UICB's classroom for papermaking and paperworks in the School of Art History and the Oakdale Campus Research and Production Paper Facility provide exceptional opportunities for study and research.

Timothy Barrett is Director at The University of Iowa Center for the Book. Also, he is Research Scientist in the art and science of papermaking. For more information on papermaking in modern times, see the Center's Web site http://www.uiowa.edu/~ctrbook/paper.htm Center for the Book http://www.uiowa.edu/~ctrbook/paper.htm "Unless noted otherwise, both our Western and Japanese-style papers are made from fiber prepared in-house from top quality raw materials. In-house processing allows us to control quality and character in the finished sheets. Our water is drawn from a nearby well and passed through iron, activated carbon, and particulate filters. Water pH is neutral or slightly alkaline. Three percent Calcium carbonate is added to pulps for Western papers. All our finished paper pH values are alkaline, including those for gelatin-alum sized sheets." Center for the Book http://www.uiowa.edu/~ctrbook/paper.htm     The majority of papers we produce are designed for conservation and book arts applications. However, many studio artists, designers, and other professionals have found our papers attractive and useful in a variety of applications. If you have questions not answered here, feel free to contact us. We are eager to assist in any way we can. Samples are available by writing to the UICB. Center for the Book http://www.uiowa.edu/~ctrbook/paper.htm Japanese-style sheets are made during the winter, when cold working conditions help maintain fiber freshness. Locally-grown or imported Japanese fiber is cooked in lye of vegetable ash or a vegetable ash/soda ash (sodium carbonate) mix, and picked by hand. The cleaned fiber is beaten by hand, sometimes followed by brief treatment in a nagi-nata beater to improve fiber separation. Formation aid is rendered from fresh or fresh/frozen locally-grown tororo-aoi roots. Pulps for Western sheets are sometimes fermented as noted below and are always cooked in a lime (calcium hydroxide) solution followed by extensive washing during beating if a light colored sheet is required. Sheets are loft dried and later humidified and flattened unless noted otherwise. Gelatin sizing and hand burnishing are optional. These efforts produce papers that give subtle but unmistakable affirmation of their handmade origin, good working properties, and excellent permanence and durability. Western sheets are colored with pigments and a cationic retention aid, with the exception of the black walnut vegetable dyed sheets, designed by Bridget O'Malley. Center for the Book http://www.uiowa.edu/~ctrbook/paper.htm

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