What is Saa Paper?

Saa paper is a traditional handmade paper style from Thailand and is used to make our range of mobiles. The paper is made from the bark of a very fast growing mulberry bush that is very common in Northern Thailand.

One of the reasons for the plant's prevalence is that its leaves are a major food source for silk worms, another large Thai handicraft industry. The smaller branches of mulberry bushes (known as 'Saa' in Thai) are cut after the rainy season each year and the bark can then be steamed off. The branches will have regrown by the following year making the process of coppicing an environmentally friendly one.

How is it made?The mulberry bark is first soaked for a long time in water and soda to soften and bleach the fibres. Once soaked, the bark is then run through a machine that repeatedly shreds the bark in water eventually creating a pulp.

Once the correct consistency is achieved and enough fibre has been extracted, the mixture is drained and allowed to dry into a thick paste. This paste can then be stored for some time until it is needed for use.

When it's time for the paste to be used it will be mixed again back into a vat of water. A special frame is then submerged into the vat repeatedly to carefully build up layer upon layer of fibrous residue. The process is a skilful one with the paper maker requiring an even spread of fibres across the screen, slowly adding to the sheet until it reaches the desired thickness.

The frames are then leant together and arranged into little A shapes outside in the sunny back garden. After they have fully dried in the warm Thai sunshine the sheets are stripped from the frame and stacked together to be shipped out.

Paper makers have now also refined the process and by using natural dyes they can produce a wide range of coloured and decorative papers. This fascinating and traditional production method creates sheets of paper that are strong and durable with a wonderful rustic texture.

All of this makes them the perfect material for creating not just pretty papers that can be used for gift wrap, but also decorative homewares, such as hanging mobiles, parasols and handy notebooks.