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Paper Mache Recipe

Basic Paper Mache Paste Recipe

This simple and reliable paper mache paste recipe uses just flour and water to create strong, workable paste perfect for all your crafting projects. I've been using this recipe for over a decade with consistently excellent results.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Drying Time 2 hours
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 4 cups of paste
Course: Craft Recipe
Cuisine: DIY Craft
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Basic Paste Ingredients
  • 1 cup All-purpose white flour Do not use whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup Hot tap water Not boiling, just hot from the faucet

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk or spoon
  • Measuring Cups
  • Immersion Blender (optional)

Method
 

  1. Pour the white flour into a mixing bowl. Make sure you're using all-purpose flour, not whole wheat, as it won't be sticky enough.
  2. Add hot tap water gradually while stirring continuously. The hot water helps create a smoother paste consistency.
  3. Mix with a whisk or spoon until you reach a consistency similar to white glue. The paste should flow easily but not be watery.
  4. For ultra-smooth results, use an immersion blender to eliminate any remaining lumps.
  5. Use immediately with paper strips for your paper mache project. Apply thin, overlapping layers for best results.
  6. Discard any leftover paste after your crafting session, as flour-based pastes can develop mold if stored overnight.

Notes

Storage Tips: Make only what you need for one crafting session. Leftover flour paste should be thrown away immediately.
Consistency Guide: Your paste should be slightly thicker than heavy cream but thinner than pancake batter.
Clean-up: Wash your tools before the paste dries, as it hardens significantly once dry.