Nepalese Papers

Lokta paper has been used in Nepal since the 12th century, when it was used to write epic tales, to print mantra for use in prayer wheels, and for religious texts chanted by Buddhist monks. Until 1959, Nepal used Lokta Paper for all official government correspondence, and even today it is used for all of their land ownership papers (lal purja) and legal documents.  

Nepalese Lokta Paper is and eco-friendly paper Handmade from the fiber of the "Nepal Paper Plant," also called the Daphne Shrub or Lokta Bush. The cultivation of this "tree free" paper is an eco-friendly resource and a reliable revenue stream for the village artisans of Nepal's rural and urban areas. Growing around 6-9,000 feet up in the Himalayan region of Nepal, this bush completely regenerates in about 4 to 6 years after being cut to about 6" from the ground. 

Our Lokta Papers are hand made in Nepal. Each sheet is crafted using traditional paper-making techniques. Several styles are available. Solid color Lokta Paper provides a rainbow of colors for a wide range of uses. Pinto Nepalese Lokta Papers mixes two pulp colors together creating a mottled finish. Sunwashed Lokta uses the bleaching capability of the sun to "discolor" patterns into the paper. There are even silkscreened designs added to some varieties of Lokta Paper. All of these elegant papers are imported from Nepal for use in design, art and crafts.