Lokta Paper handmade in Nepal

Lokta Paper is Handmade

When was the last time you appreciated a piece of paper? A single sheet of paper?

Something small can make a big difference, helping us be conscious of the world around us.

Each sheet of Lokta paper is crafted by an artisan trained in the ancient tradition of lokta paper.

Lokta paper comes from cuttings of the Lokta bush which grow naturally on the southern slopes of the Himalayan mountains of Nepal.

Cuttings are made from the bush, and the fibrous inner bark is pulled into strips and then cooked into a pulpy mash.

This mash of fibers is spread by hand across large boxed screens and set to dry in the Himalayan sunshine.

The large sheet of lokta paper is then cut into page sizes depending on its use (for a Lokta paper journal, Lokta Card Stock, or Lokta printer paper).

The fine texture from the screen can sometimes be seen on the “screen side” of the paper. The “sun-kissed” side of the paper has a beautiful, natural texture as the fibers dry and fuse, making each page of Lokta paper one-of-a-kind.

Natural Lokta Wrapping Paper

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Lokta Paper is Eco Friendly

Lokta paper is tree-free as Lokta is a bush. When cut, the bush produces new shoots and can grow back to it’s original height in 5 to 7 years.

Our lokta paper is not mixed with other paper fibers. It is 100% lokta. The fast growing Lokta bush makes for a sustainable and renewable source for paper making.

The paper is acid-free and is not treated with bleach as with other papers.

Lokta Paper Supports Talented Artisans

Creating Lokta paper is an art, and continues to be made by hand by talented artisans in Nepal.

From the high Himalayas where the Lokta bushes grow naturally, to the heart of Kathmandu where the paper is sewn by hand into our journals, each product helps support an industry that honors this proud, tradition of handmade paper by special artisans in Nepal.

Lokta Computer Paper for Laser and Inkjet Printers

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Lokta Paper Continues an Honored Tradition

The tradition of creating Lokta paper by hand reaches back not only centuries, but a millennia, with the oldest surviving example of Lokta paper being a copy of the Karanya Buha Sutra, a Buddhist text written on Lokta paper and estimated to be 1,000 to 1,900 years old.

Lokta paper has been used through the centuries in Nepal and surrounding regions. Many official government documents are still made with Lokta paper as the paper of choice.

A letter from Tibetian Governor to a Nepalese official written on lokta paper.
A letter from Tibetan Governor to a Nepalese official written on lokta paper. Courtesy: Wikipedia

Unique Nature of Lokta Paper

Natural Lokta Card Stock Thick Handmade Paper

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Lokta paper’s unique creation process, its ancient history, and the continuation of that tradition into today, makes it one of the most beloved and special papers.

Lokta paper whether used in printing projects, scrapbooking, origami, or for handwritten notes, provides a unique experience as you hold a piece of history, honoring the Nepali tradition of handmade paper.