Papermaking - Medieval to Early Modern

Prior to the invention of the paper machine (~ 1800), all paper was handmade. Teams of three skilled, European artisans (vatman, coucher, layer) were capable of producing ~1500 sheets in a day.

[L to R] Vatman, Coucher, Layer at work.

Gelatin (produced by boiling animal bones or skins) was first used as an external surface sizing for paper in 1337 and continued as a dominant sizing agent of all European papers through the mid-19th century. Sizing reduces the tendency of dry paper to absorb liquid, allowing inks and paints to dry remain on the surface of the paper, rather than be absorbed into the paper. Thus, sizing provides a more consistent painting and writing surface.

Papermaking, Parchment, Papyrus, Manuscripts
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXYFDuJaCJL3rWLyssXlZa-uUEmoUgJZr
Papermaking, Parchment, Manuscripts: includes demonstration of coordinated actions of vatman, coucher, and layer.

Papyrus ..

Papermaking > .

.Tradition of handmade paper in India - BusIn > .


Comprehensive online article on European papermaking techniques from 1300 to 1800.

Printing with early Gutenberg movable-type press
https://youtu.be/G1IUm3V546k?t=32m28s
Papermaking
https://youtu.be/G1IUm3V546k?t=22m43s
Bookbinding
https://youtu.be/G1IUm3V546k?t=37m36s5

Stephen Fry takes a look inside the story of Johann Gutenberg, inventor of the world's first printing press in the 15th century, and an exploration of how and why the machine was invented.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ88yC35NjI
Papermaking
https://youtu.be/uQ88yC35NjI?t=40m50s

Wrong End of the Stick - Printing Shop, Victorian Farm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuNycvMh5fU
Papermaking, Parchment, Papyrus, Manuscripts
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXYFDuJaCJL3rWLyssXlZa-uUEmoUgJZr
One and two-pull presses
https://youtu.be/uQ88yC35NjI?t=5m31s
Chiseling thread
https://youtu.be/uQ88yC35NjI?t=7m48s
Cutting counter-thread
https://youtu.be/uQ88yC35NjI?t=19m25s
Machine
https://youtu.be/uQ88yC35NjI?t=24m45s
Carving punches - smoke proof
https://youtu.be/uQ88yC35NjI?t=30m41s
Striking matrix
https://youtu.be/uQ88yC35NjI?t=32m24s
Type mould - casting the letters
https://youtu.be/uQ88yC35NjI?t=32m48s
Assembling press
https://youtu.be/uQ88yC35NjI?t=35m17s
Papermaking
https://youtu.be/uQ88yC35NjI?t=40m50s
Papermaking mill - cloth rags
https://youtu.be/uQ88yC35NjI?t=41m11s
Set type & printing process
https://youtu.be/uQ88yC35NjI?t=46m12s