Papermaking Lab

Tuesdays: 5–9pm
Experience required

Beat fiber with MCBA’s Reina beater and two Valley beaters. Or, bring prepared paper fiber for sheet-forming. The paper studio has a variety of western-style and eastern-style moulds and deckles for making sheets, two hydraulic presses, plenty of vats and felts with air-drying racks and restraint dryers. The valley beaters hold approximately .75 lb. (dry fiber or half stuff); the Reina holds up to 2 lbs. dry fiber (half-stuff only).

Experience required: Papermaking Lab is designed for those who have completed an introductory level papermaking workshop or have similar experience. If you have questions about your experience level, please email studios@mnbookarts.org prior to registration. If you need training, please see information on our one-to-one tutorials.

For those registering to use the beaters, please specify which beater you’d like to reserve when registering. Pre-weigh and pre-soak all fibers to be beaten. Bring your own fiber. For those registering to pull sheets, schedule a time to pick up your paper soon after the Lab. 

Registration closes 24 hours in advance. Instructions on how to enter MCBA for Studio Lab will be sent in a confirmation email once registration is complete.

All in-person program participants are required to wear a mask while in MCBA’s studios. See our Covid Safety Guidelines for more information.

Tuesdays: 5–9pm CT
$35 (10% member discount)
$18 for BIPOC/Financial scholarship participants* (10% member discount)

Tuesday, April 4; 5–9pm CT

Tuesday, April 11; 5–9pm CT

Tuesday, April 18; 5–9pm CT

*MCBA offers two scholarship types for Studio Labs—Financial Hardship Scholarships and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Scholarships—to honor equity and increase access and artistic opportunities for those who have historically been underrepresented in the book arts. For individuals to whom these scholarships do not apply, register at the “Adult” rate and, if you are able, consider making a donation when registering to support MCBA’s efforts to make scholarships available.