The Cotton
Wookey Hole Papermill uses only the finest imported first-cut cotton.

We choose this grade because the cotton fibres are longer, yielding a stronger, more durable paper.

The Hollander Beater
The cotton is mixed with starch, size and crystal-clear water from the River Axe in a Hollander beater.

The paper is internally, hard sized because we believe this provides the best surface for painting.

The papermaker ensures the beating process is relatively short to preserve the long cotton fibres.

The Vat
From the Hollander beater, the pulp, or stuff as it is more commonly known, is pumped into a vat. There, it is continually agitated to ensure that it does not congeal.

The Vatman
The vatman drops a mesh-backed mould into the vat, scooping up sufficient mixture to achieve the weight of paper required.

The Four-way Stroke
As the mould is drawn upwards, excess water passes through the mesh. It is at this stage that the vatman delivers the four-way stroke.

This rapid lateral movement distributes the fibres evenly across the mesh.The fibres knit together in a dimensionally stable pattern.

It is this interweaving of fibres that creates a strong paper able to withstand the rigours of scrubbing and reworking inherent in watercolour painting.

The Handover
His good work done, the vatman passes the fully laden mould over to the coucher.

The Coucher
The coucher takes the mould and gently tips the mould, draining off the excess water.

The Felts
The coucher lays the mould edge-first on the felt blanket.

The loaded mould is rolled form left to right over the felt. The coucher applies sufficient pressure to force the newly formed-sheet to detatch itself from the mould.

The Post
The sheet of paper is covered with another felt blanket and the next sheet of paper is placed on top. This pile of sheets and felt blankets is referred to as a post.

The texture of the blanket determines the finish of the paper.

A heavily textured blanket will yield a rough finish paper. The empty mould is passed back to the vatman and the cycle continues.

The Hydraulic Press
Once the post is complete, it is pulled to the hydraulic press.

The Pressure
The press exerts a pressure of 2 tons per square inch, forcing out a large percentage of the remaining water.

The post is then removed and dismantled. The paper can now be handlled without fear of breakage. It is batched together in spurs of five sheets and taken to the loft for drying.

A Hard-Days Work
When the paper making is finished, the vatman and the coucher can rest and reflect on a good day's work.