Artisan Papermaking Guide
Oak Leaf Inclusions in Hand-Made Paper
An educational reference on embedding oak leaves in handmade paper — from preparing the fibre and the leaves to forming sheets on a mould and deckle, and drying the finished sheets in Polish conditions.
Updated June 2026
Topics Covered
What This Guide Covers
From sourcing and preparing oak leaves to understanding how botanical inclusions behave during sheet formation and drying.
Oak Leaf Selection
Which leaves work best as inclusions — freshness, size, pressing state — and how to prepare them for embedding without tearing the forming sheet.
Pulp and Fibre
Choosing the right cellulose pulp — cotton linter, abaca, recycled paper — and how base fibre weight affects the visibility of embedded oak leaves.
Mould and Deckle Construction
The basic wood-frame and mesh mould, how mesh spacing affects thin-sheet formation, and adaptations for botanical inclusion work.
Sheet Formation
The vatting and pulling technique — maintaining an even pulp suspension, placing the leaf, and couching onto a felt or board.
Drying Methods
Air drying, board drying, and restraint drying — how each affects cockle and shrinkage in botanical inclusion sheets.
Polish Conditions
How seasonal humidity variations in Poland affect drying time and sheet flatness — practical adjustments for a continental climate.
Traditional Craft
The Mould and Deckle Method
Western hand papermaking uses a mould — a rigid frame covered with a woven or laid mesh — and a deckle, a removable frame that sits on top of the mould to contain the pulp. The papermaker dips this assembly into a vat of diluted pulp, lifts it horizontally, and allows water to drain through the mesh, leaving a uniform mat of fibres on the surface.
Botanical inclusions — leaves, flowers, grasses — are typically placed onto the freshly formed wet sheet before it is removed from the mould, or the mould is dipped a second time with the leaf positioned on the first sheet. The second thin layer of pulp holds the inclusion in place as the sheet consolidates and dries.
This double-dip technique, well documented in contemporary craft papermaking literature, is the most reliable method for embedding substantial botanical material like oak leaves without causing uneven formation or holes in the finished sheet.
Articles
Technical Guides
Step-by-step explanations of the main stages in making botanical inclusion paper with oak leaves.
Preparation
Preparing Oak Leaf Inclusions for Handmade Paper
How to select, press, and prepare oak leaves for embedding — and which leaf conditions lead to problems during sheet formation.
Read articleEquipment
Building a Paper Mould and Deckle for Leaf Embeddings
Construction details for a simple mould and deckle suited to botanical inclusion work, with material notes for Polish sourcing.
Read articleFinishing
Drying and Pressing Botanical Inclusion Paper
How different drying methods affect the flatness, texture, and translucency of finished oak leaf inclusion sheets.
Read article"Botanical inclusions work best when the plant material is thin, flat, and thoroughly dried before embedding. Thick or freshly collected leaves hold moisture that disturbs the fibre mat during consolidation, often causing tearing or uneven areas around the inclusion."
Questions About the Process
Questions about materials, equipment, or specific technical aspects of botanical inclusion papermaking can be submitted through the form below.