Tapa / Barkcloth Paper
Polynesian and Ugandan tradition — bark beaten flat without pulping.
Beat soaked strips of inner tree bark with a wooden mallet until they spread into a sheet of cloth-like paper.
- ▸Not really paper — closer to fabric. Polynesian tradition.
- ▸No water-and-screen step; just keep pounding the fibers wider and thinner.
- ▸Layers can be glued together with starch for bigger sheets.
Steps
- 01
Strip inner bark from a young branch in long sheets.
- 02
Soak bark in water 1–2 days until soft.
- 03
Lay strips on the anvil; beat steadily with the mallet, fanning the fibers wider with each pass.
- 04
Overlap and pound several strips together to form a larger sheet.
- 05
Sun-dry the finished cloth flat.
Materials4
- — Inner bark of paper mulberry, fig, or breadfruit
- — Water
- — Wooden mallet (preferably grooved)
- — Smooth log or stone anvil
Safety
Mostly hand tools and inert materials. Standard studio hygiene applies.
- ☐Work in a ventilated area; keep food and drink out of the studio
- ☐Read each material's safety data sheet (SDS) before starting
- ☐Have water, soap, and a first-aid kit accessible
Heuristic guidance derived from listed materials. Always consult each material's safety data sheet (SDS) and a qualified instructor before attempting.
Notes
Not pulped — the fibers are interlocked by hammering. Beautiful for printing or stitching.