Lessebo handpappersbruk - prova att göra papper

The Lessebo hand paper mill in Småland is something very special, as it is still a working mill where paper is made in the traditional way using Dutchmen, kyp and moulding frames. Today, tourists are also welcome for guided tours - or perhaps to try making paper themselves.

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Lessebo hand paper mill

The historic mill is one of the very few commercially operated handmade paper mills that still exist in Europe. We can definitely recommend a visit here - very interesting!

Lessebo handpappersbruk is located in Lessebo, in Glasriket in Småland. The mill is located about 35 kilometres southeast of Växjö.

Over 300 years of history at Lessebo hand paper mill

Lessebo hand paper mill started in 1693, more than 300 years ago. At that time, many people were involved in the manufacturing process - everything from paper-maker and gusher (the person who prints the future sheet of paper on a press felt) to bedchair boys (children or young people doing simple work at the bedside) and ragpickers (employees tasked with collecting lump, the raw material for paper production).

Over the years, the hand paper mill was run by many different mill owners, and in the 19th century machines were added that made it possible to produce paper industrially. In the 20th century, the mill became part of the paper group Klippan AB for a period. The mill has lived through troubled times and been threatened with closure, but has survived and found a place in modern society.

Today the paper mill is run by Bildningsbruket AB, which is owned by Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan. In addition to making paper in the traditional way, the business now combines guided tours, workshops, courses, concerts, exhibitions and conference activities. Next to the paper mill is the large and modern paper mill, Lessebo Paper AB.

Lessebo handpappersbruk - en holländare — Dutch machine used to grind wet paper pulp. The machine was invented in Holland in the 17th century.

Shop and café

Lessebo Handpappersbruk has a small shop where you can buy handmade paper, for example in the form of cards or watercolour paper.

There is also a small and simple café, run by the few employees themselves. Here we strengthened ourselves with a coffee and a meatball sandwich, before it was time to try making paper ourselves.

Guided tour of the Lessebo handpaper mill

We took part in a guided tour of the Lessebo hand paper mill, which was very interesting. The tour began with a film about how paper is made in the traditional way. We were then given a summary of the mill's history by an employee who has been there for many years.

Lessebo handpappersbruk - guidad visning

On the upper floor there is a small museum where you can see different objects, machines and products. Here we looked at photos from different royal visits, and could see paper made by our queen, with her own face printed on the paper.

On the lower floor you can see the equipment that is still used today for paper production. If you are lucky, which we were, you can see the production in progress. Otherwise, you have to settle for looking around while the guide tells you about it.

Production of paper at Lessebo hand paper mill

There are only a few employees at Lessebo hand paper mill, and they take care of all the different tasks. This includes guided tours, workshops, the shop and the café. When there is time, they work on production and make paper. This means you can see the work in action - if you're lucky.

Lessebo handpappersbruk - papperstillverkning - göra papper

The pulp is distributed by hand in frames, and an experienced operator knows exactly how much pulp is needed to give the paper the desired weight.

The prospective papers are tipped off the moulds and placed between blankets before the drying process begins.

The hardest part of the job is loading the paper into the press and then stacking the wooden discs on top. As you press, the water flows out onto the floor.

Then it is time to dry the paper, by passing it through rollers in a large machine.

And the final test: was the weight what it was supposed to be?

Try it out: Making your own paper

We got to try making paper ourselves, which was a very interesting experience. Even though we had seen the process before, it was a bit of an aha moment to try it ourselves. As a visitor, you do the same process as the professional paper makers, but you get to do the first step, putting paper pulp in a frame, in a smaller tub.

Lessebo handpappersbruk - papperstillverkning - prova att göra papper själv

It may look simple, but it wasn't easy to get the pulp evenly distributed and of the right thickness.

It was also not easy to get the "right bend" when removing the future paper. But in the end we still had a pile of paper that we pressed.

Finally, it was time for the last step, drying the papers between the rollers in the big machine. Since our papers were relatively small, we put them inside large folded sheets of paper before sending them in.

In the picture below you can see some of our finished papers. Not too shabby if we may say so ourselves. If you want, you can also experiment more, and for example make paper with plants or flowers in it.

Participating in a workshop takes around 3 hours and is best booked in advance. From April 2022, workshops will be organised once a week and during the summer they will be organised every day. Other times of the year can be booked by appointment.

It is also possible to book special arrangements for groups. Or why not do a paper activity for your paper wedding (2 year anniversary)? We heard about a couple who decided to book an activity on each wedding day, related to the name of the wedding day. We don't know what they did for their cotton wedding, but for their paper wedding it was Lessebo hand paper mill. Kind of cute, isn't it?

Video "Lessebo hand paper mill"

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Lessebo Handpappersbruk is located in Glasriket, in the heart of Småland, and there is of course much more to see and do in the area. If you like to try out crafts, you can also try out blowing glass i Kosta. There are also many fine glassworks to visit, as well as exhibitions and museums, particularly on the subject of glass and artbut also about James Bond.

If you like nature, you can cycle, hike or visit one of the many safari and moose parks. If you want a little more adrenaline, you can try the Europe's longest zipline, or perhaps "packraft" at Vidinge farm.

All our top tips for holidays in Småland

Facts about Lessebo paper mill

Address: Bildningsbruket AB, Storgatan 79, Lessebo.
Municipality: Lessebo municipality
County: Kronoberg County
Landscape: Småland

Services and practical information

Opening hours: The mill is open on certain days of the week, but visits can also be booked at other times by appointment. See the mill's website for current opening hours and times for guided tours.
Prices: A guided tour costs SEK 100 (2021). Check with the mill for current prices for paper-making workshops.
Booking: It is recommended to pre-book a guided tour.
Food service: There is a small farmhouse café serving sandwiches, cheesecake, body cake, pie and soup.
Camping: Lessebo camping is nearby. The campsite is open from 1 May to 31 October.

Tours and activities

Guided tour: Tour of the origins and history of paper.
Shaped display: A play that tells about Lessebo hand paper mill and its history. Offered during the summer months and by appointment.
Paper making workshop: Try your hand at making paper during a 3-hour workshop. Organised every day during the summer, once a week in the mid-season and by appointment at other times.
Art and concerts: Exhibitions by various artists are held in the premises. Sometimes concerts are also organised.
Conference: Conferences and meetings can be booked in the cultural-historical environment. If desired, it can be combined with a guided tour or paper-making workshop.

History of the mill

1693: The Lessebo hand paper mill was established, and was subsequently run by various mill owners.
1856: Lessebo Bolag was formed.
1863: A paper machine was introduced, and paper was then produced at both paper mills and handmade paper mills.
1895: Lessebo Bolag was transformed into a limited company.
1925: The company merged with Aktiebolaget Klippans Finpappersbruk. Klippan then bought all the shares and the Klippan Group was formed.
2019: Since autumn 2019, the mill has been run by Bildningsbruket AB, which is owned by Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan.

READ MORE: Things to do in Glasriket - 25 tips for sights and experiences
READ MORE: Things to do in Småland - tips, sights and experiences

4 Comments

Add yours →

Ama de casa says:

Interesting and nice place and fun to try it yourself! But I think I will probably continue to buy my paper in the shops anyway 😉.

27 November 2021 - 9:51

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Really fun and interesting! Haha, we'll probably continue to buy machine-made paper too 😉 But we'll have to figure out what to do with our lovely handmade paper 😉.
  
  27 November 2021 - 10:03
  
BP says:

I would have loved to be there. So incredibly interesting and fun! Since I worked at a publishing house where you had to choose the paper for each book, it is twice as interesting to read about the mill.
Oh your papers were so nice:-)

27 November 2021 - 17:59

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Really interesting to be involved in this! And I understand that paper means extra much when you have worked in publishing 🙂.
  
  29 November 2021 - 5:52

Lessebo hand-paper mill - try making paper

Lessebo hand paper mill

Over 300 years of history at Lessebo hand paper mill

Shop and café

Guided tour of the Lessebo handpaper mill

Production of paper at Lessebo hand paper mill

Try it out: Making your own paper

Video "Lessebo hand paper mill"

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Facts about Lessebo paper mill

Services and practical information

Tours and activities

History of the mill

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4 Comments

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