I need to figure out how to place seeds IN the paper I want to make. Can I just stick them in or will they start sprouting if the paper is wet??

I found a website (https://plantableseedpaper.co.uk/shop/recycled-seed-paper-various-colours/) that actually sells the paper I want to make, but only at A5 size (and its so expensive!), so it can be done and is probably cheaper to do so myself.

If I use paper that is originally suitable for printing on, I should be able to screen print on the resulting paper. I’ll need to be able to put instructions on the paper as well so it’s vital that I can print on it.

I’ve bought a bunch of seed packets so I’m ready to go..

HOW TO:

Materials & Equipment

• Scrap paper: newspapers, magazines (not high gloss), pre-soaked non-waxed boxes, greeting cards, paper grocery bags, flyers, unused paper napkins, phonebook pages, envelopes, receipts, etc.
• Seeds: must be small and flat; choose non-invasive species such as forget-me-not and poppy flowers, or herbs such as basil, mint, and thyme*
• Scissors or paper shredder (or tear by hand)
• Sink OR large, flat tub
• Blender OR bowl and eggbeater
• Measuring cup
• Old frame (e.g., picture frame) OR scrap wood and screws to make your own (measure to fit inside your sink or tub)
• Mesh screen (the stiffer the better)
• Tacks or stapler
• Wax paper (size of your frame)
• Glass jar or rolling pin (helps press water out)
• Rags or dishcloths (must be larger than your frame) OR newspapers
• Cardboard
• Iron

Note: Choose species that are native to your area. These will vary depending on where you are in the world.

Directions

1. Tack or staple the screen tightly across the frame.
2. Tear or shred scrap paper into small pieces. Soak in warm water for 30 minutes.
3. Half fill the blender or bowl with paper mixture and water. Blend or beat until smooth.
4. Add blended mixture (pulp) to your sink or tub, about three blender loads.
5. Stir in seeds.
6. Dip the screened frame into the pulp mixture. Move it gently from side to side. Try to catch an even layer of pulp on the screen.
7. Lift the frame to let water drain through. Rest it on a stack of towels or newspapers. Place wax paper sheet on top and roll across paper to squish out moisture.
8. Once the dripping has stopped, place the frame — pulp side down — onto a dry dishcloth.
9. Carefully lift the screen. The paper should drop out easily onto the cloth. (You might need to tap it with your fingers.)
10. Once you have a stack of seed paper sheets separated by dishcloths, put a piece of cardboard on top of the stack and apply pressure to squeeze out any remaining water.
11. Let paper dry completely (overnight).
12. Gently pull cloth pieces away.
13. Optional: complete drying by placing paper between dry dish towels and pressing with a warm iron.

Planting Instructions

The paper part of your creation will compost naturally, so you can plant it either in indoor pots or outside in the spring or summer. Cut into strips for a colourful flower or herb border in your garden!

SOURCE:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/make-your-own-recycled-seed-paper/

This process is literally the same as making usual paper, you just have to chuck the seeds in. Now I just need to make a mesh screen to collect the pulp from.

To make the paper:

Here is what you will need:

• blender or egg beater
• mixing bowl
• flat dish or pan (9″x13″ or a little larger than the screen)
• round jar or rolling pin
• newsprint, scrap paper or wrapping paper
• piece of non-rusting screen (about 12″ x 8″ or the size of paper you want to make)
• 4 pieces of cloth or felt to use as blotting paper (same size as screen)
• 10 pieces of newspaper for blotting
• 2 cups of hot water
• 2 teaspoons of instant starch (optional)

What to Do:

1. Tear the newspaper, scrap paper, or wrapping paper into very small bits. Add 2 cups of hot water to ½ cup of shredded paper.
2. Beat the paper and water in the blender, or with the egg beater, to make pulp. Mix in the starch (optional). Completed pulp should be the consistency of split pea soup.
3. Pour the pulp into the flat pan.
4. Slide the screen into the bottom of the pan and move it around until it is evenly covered with pulp.
5. Lift the screen out of the pan carefully. Hold it level and let it drain for a minute.
6. Put the screen, pulp-side up, on a blotter that is placed on top of newspaper. Put another blotter over the pulp, and more newspaper over that.
7. Roll a jar or rolling pin over the “sandwich” of blotter paper to squeeze out the rest of the water.
8. Take off the top newspaper. Flip the blotter and the screen very carefully. Do not move the pulp, it will take at least 12 to 24 hours to dry depending on how thick and wet the paper is.

SOURCE:
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/cool/paper.htm

To make the screen:

Supplies

• 2 picture frames – same size, with everything removed – you should be left with just the frames
• Hardware Cloth – a type of stiff wire mesh used for fencing, screen doors, etc.
• Window screening – use aluminum, not fiberglass
• Foam Weatherstrip Tape – it’s adhesive on one side, and usually used for doors & windows
• Staple gun & staples
• Duct Tape
• Wire cutters
• Optional: polyurethane & paintbrush

STEP 1: CUT THE SCREENING

Cut down the hardware cloth and window screening, using your wire cutters and junky scissors. You’ll want to make them both the same size, and just slightly larger than the picture frame size.

STEP 2: STAPLE

Find the flattest side of one picture frame. Layer the hardware cloth and window screening on the frame. The window screening should be on top.

Staple the sandwiched layers to the frame. Make sure the screen layers are flat and taut before you start using the staple gun.

A good trick is to first place a staple at the center of each edge. From there, keep going around from side to side, working your way outward from each center staple.

STEP 3: TRIM, DUCT TAPE, & WEATHERSTRIP TAPE

Trim off the excess edges, or any violent-looking wires.

Now, time for everyone’s favorite fix-it solution — duct tape! Cover all four edges, making sure not to go past the interior edge of the frame.

Last but not least – make the deckle! Take the second picture frame (that you haven’t touched yet) and apply foam weatherstrip tape. It’s adhesive, and you’ll want to apply on the flatter backside of the frame, all around the edges. This creates quite a tight seal, and prevents pulp from leaking out between the mould & deckle when you’re forming sheets.

This tutorial is good for smaller, hand-sized moulds. For anything bigger than around 8″ x 10″, the center of the mould might start to sag, causing issues with sheet formation.

SOURCE
http://www.paperslurry.com/2014/08/01/make-mould/

OR

I can buy one here –> http://www.vycombe-arts.co.uk/onlineshop/prod_3693855-Professional-Papermaking-Mould-Deckle.html