How to Print on Lokta Paper

Handmade Paper Priting Tips

Lokta Paper Printing Guide 

Welcome to our printing tips for handmade lokta paper. Take advantage of opportunities to send a special message, note, or even wedding announcements on one of the world’s most unique papers!

Below are some quick tips for printing on lokta paper.

Set Print Quality to Best

When printing a document from an Apple computer or phone, there’s often a section for “Media & Quality.”

Settings can vary by device, but setting “Quality” to Best often helps in the printing process. On a Mac:

Windows devices have a similar setting when printing. Click the “More Settings” option in the print dialog and Click the Paper/Quality tab to select the “Better” quality settings. On Windows:

The oldest surviving Lokta paper is a religious text, a copy of the Karanya Buha Sutra Buddhist text estimated to be 1,000 to 1,900 years old.

Lokta paper has been produced using similar methods for centuries and that tradition continues today.

Set Media Type to Heavyweight

Printing on lokta card stock, and even lokta printer paper, achieves the best results when “Heavyweight Paper” is selected for Media type.

Best Types of Printers to Print on Lokta Paper

Lokta paper can be used with many different types of printers, especially with the settings used above.

Some printers are not made to print on thicker paper like card stock. Check your printer model to make sure it can accomodate card stocks.

Laser printers work very well with handmade lokta paper. For best results, we suggest feeding sheets individually to the printer.

Two Sides of the Same Paper

Two Unique Sides

Each sheet of lokta paper has a smooth side and a rougher, more naturally formed side called the sun-kissed side. This is due to the paper forming on the boxed screens.

One side of the paper forms against the screen used to hold the fiber pulp. Upon close inspection you can often see the fine pattern from the screen.

The other side, the sun-kissed side forms naturally as the fibers settle, creating the natural texture that gives lokta paper its unique feel.

Both sides can be used for printing, but best results are achieved by printing on the screen side of the lokta paper where it is the most smooth.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you see after images when printing on a laser printer, check to make sure print settings are set to heavyweight and best.

Some laser printers have a cleaning slider near the print drum that can be slide to clear dust build up.

If an inkjet printer has trouble with the deckle edges of the paper, try printing with a laser printer if you have access to one.

Some printers have a self-cleaning mechanism which can also help improve print quality on all prints.

Tree-Free Paper

Eco-Friendly Paper

Our paper is not treated with harmful chemicals like today’s commercial papers which are treated with bleach.

The paper is hand made in the rural, high altitude villages of Nepal and then carried down the Himalayas using the traditional paths and pack animals for transport.

Lokta paper has a beautiful texture containing natural flecks from the bush and can vary slightly in thickness from page to page due to the unique handcrafting process.

Daphne bholua and Daphne papyracea are the botanical names for the lokta bushes most commonly used in paper making.

Lokta bushes are not destroyed when harvested. A good cut from a harvested bush can regrow new shoots that can reach full height (nearly 15 feet) in about 5 years.

Lokta fibers are cooked in vats to soften and create a pulp that is spread over wood-framed screens and set to dry in the sun.

The fine texture from the screens can be seen and felt in the finished product adding to the beauty and uniqueness of the paper.

Lokta paper is acid-free and is widely regarded as one of the world’s finest hand-made papers.

While others add regular or recycled paper to their production process, our paper is 100% Lokta.

View Selection

View our Handmade Lokta Paper Products

Below is a sampling of some of our popular creations.

Thank you for Supporting Talented Nepalese Artisans

Thank you for helping to preserve a 1,000-year-old tradition in Nepali paper making!

Lokta paper has an important place in Nepal’s history and your support helps keep this handmade tradition alive.