In our day-to-day life, we come across a wide variety of art forms be it in drawings, sketches, paintings, carvings, miniatures, dance or songs but one form of art which will enthrall you and one which stands out from the rest showcasing it's sheer beauty are the hand made paper products. Since the past 19 centuries, paper has been an inseparable part of our life. As time passed by, man has learnt different ways to use paper and he has best reproduced paper in various art forms. In the world of advanced technology, machines, and various other electronic gadgets, somewhere, somehow we do forget the natural beauty that exists around us. Handmade paper products can refresh the memories of the natural beauty that surrounds us and make us realize the importance of natural essence in our stressful life.Industry Insight
Earlier handmade paper was made only using waste paper. Presently, the paper industry in India could be roughly categorized into three according to the raw material used viz., wood based, agro based and waste paper based. Presently it uses material like cotton waste, tailor cuttings, paper waste, banana fibre, jute, sisal, and daphne (bark from Daphne cannabina and Daphne papyracea) making the paper eco-friendly and biodegradable. The handmade paper industry has at least 3,000 working units in India and has provided employment to more than 30,000 people. Indian handmade paper and it's products are in great demand in United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia and some European countries which speaks volumes about the quality of paper produced in India.
Although most of the paper products are handmade, there are occasions when the handmade paper industry does have to make use of machines like mechanical beaters in place of the Denki.
Also seen used are vats for chhapri, and polishing machines called calendars. In addition, the industry also makes use of rag choppers and cylinder mould vats. The industry has to do so for meeting the domestic and export market challenges. The domestic industry is now on the incline with the export market for handmade paper products estimated at around Rs.70 crores and is on the verge of further increasing.
Generally, handmade paper products contain paper and dye as raw materials and these are manufactured in various types such as flower petal paper, decorative paper, silk paper, specialty paper, mulberry paper, banana paper, drawing paper, mottling paper, coloured paper, gift wrapping paper, batik paper, tawasaki paper etc. In India, Jaipur is a well-known organized market for manufacturing handmade paper products. The town of Sanganer in the city is the biggest center of handmade paper all around the world. The town consists of approximately 10 handmade paper industries. It is also extremely popular for handmade paper named kagazi mohulla and for good quality block printing. Exports from Sanganer alone accounts for nearly 70 percent of the total handmade paper exports from India. Delhi is also another ideal location to find paper products because it has a thriving rag trade, which provides abundance of old cloth and vast amounts of used paper. The handmade paper obtains high premium in the International market because of its eco-friendly quality and a long lasting shelf life. Furthermore, the demand for handmade paper and its value-added products in the International market are increasing at an astonishing rate of 30-35 percent a year approximately, which is great news as the demand was far lesser at five-seven percent a decade ago.
Combination of Intelligence and Creativity
The variety and the range available in hand made paper products is unbelievable and amazing to say the least. One amongst the vast range of hand made paper products includes handmade paper bags.
These handmade paper bags are distinct, as they are a perfect fit for virtually any purpose. These handmade paper bags are available in floral paper, leather paper, mottled paper, or virtually any other paper.
You would always like to keep a photograph of your children wearing the graduate cap at your place or in your office, which would refresh memories. Wont you? Then handmade paper photo frames are the best source of casing them on. These photo frames are unique as they satisfy everybody's desires. Moreover, these photo frames are available in different classic designs that can mark your individual preference of stylish presentation and symbolize your tastes for exclusivity.
Handmade paper diaries are the perfect products for noting down your daily memorandum. These paper products may look simple but they are the most aesthetic amongst all paper products. These come in various different colours thus, adding to its variety and range. Handmade paper diaries are timeless souvenirs, which any person can gift to his, or her loved ones.
Handmade paper boxes are another addition to the delectable list of paper products. Most of the handmade paper boxes have the innovative and functional self-folding feature. Moreover, these boxes are portable and available in a variety of designs and colours. Handmade paper products come in various shapes like cube, heart, hexagon, and many others. These boxes are specially used for gift enclosures.
No other product can give the touch of natural elegance to your emotions like the handmade paper greeting cards can. Some of the handmade paper products shine like floral magic. These paper products are the best mode to express your sentiments to the recipients of these cards. These greeting cards can be easily decorated with dried flowers or shells making them more exquisite and special for the receiver. In addition, those traditional mirrors can be put up on these greeting cards and hence gratifying all your needs.
If you are looking out for a natural product to store or display, your favourite moments or the most cherished photographs then look no further than the artistic handmade paper photo albums. Just like the handmade paper greeting cards, the photo albums too can be decorated with flower petals or any other decorative items.
Professionals in the corporate sector frequently travel for business or for leisure. On such occasions, handmade paper stationery products are very beneficial as they are designed keeping in mind everybody's daily requirements whether you are travelling or in case you wish to bestow it upon someone. The range includes letterheads, envelopes, and notepads. Most of these stationery products are compatible with laser and inkjet printing and can be used in fax machines and printers. Similarly, handmade paper letter pads in all colours, sizes, and thickness as required are available.
Some of the other variety in handmade products include baskets, carry bags, CD holders, wedding cards, desktop calendars, pen stands, jewelry boxes, lampshades, gift-wrapping paper etc. These also come in classic designs and colours and are perfect for presenting it to anybody you wish to.
The list of handmade paper products is captivating and certainly very attractive and the range available can easily divert anybody's attention from the artificial products to these handmade paper products.
Present Your Client, Associate or Employee the Best Paper Product
Handmade paper products are the best gifts to present your client, employee, or an associate on the eve of New Year. The exquisite handmade lampshades and lanterns make for the most artistic and beautiful corporate gifts especially on the eve of Diwali and they are better substitutes for machine made lanterns and lampshades. Unique photo frames can be ideal corporate gifts as they give beautiful look to your photo collection. Handmade paper carry bags mirror exclusive presentation of your products and so these make for ethnic corporate gifts. These gifts can be personalized or customized with a company logo or a brand name and hence they are effective promotional gifts as well. Also available are gift packs of leaf imprinted envelopes and paper in single sets, notebooks, cards, photo frames, large folios and elegant shopping bags - all made of the same patterned paper in varying thickness. These gifts are sure to go a long way in strengthening your relationship with a client, employee, or an associate.
Pricing StructureThe cost of handmade paper products varies from supplier to supplier but these products are generally very expensive because of the labour involved and since the cost of the decoratives required is high.
These handmade beauties are anybody's visual delight and with the designing talent available in the country, the demand for these varieties is soon going to grow even further and time will soon come when people will only use handmade paper products. With the corporate gifting segment also on the incline, the range of handmade gifts to choose from for the corporate sector is indeed wide.