Product Design and Promotion From Handmade Paper

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PRODUCT DESIGN AND PROMOTION FROM HANDMADE PAPER

A Report Submitted To Nepal Swiss Community Forestry Project (NSCFP) Ekantakuna, Lalitpur

Submitted By Khilendra Gurung Himalayan Bio Trade P. Ltd. Kathmandu, Nepal

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2006

Acronyms

BO : Box DI : Decorating Items HBTL : Himalayan Bio Trade P. Limited LS : Lampshades NB : Note Books NSCFP: Nepal Swiss Community Forestry Project NTFPs: Non Timber Forest Products PA : Photo Album PF : Photo Frame

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Table of Content

SUBJECTS PAGES

1. Background 4

2. Objectives 5

3. Program Implementation Process 5

3.1 Important Points to be Considered 9

3.2 Outcomes of the Activities 9

4. Steps Missing during the Conduction of the Program 20

5. Future Strategy 20

6. Future Plan 21

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1 Background

Community based handmade paper enterprises established in rural areas of Dolakha and Ramechhap districts, with the assistance of Nepal Swiss Community Forestry Project (NSCFP), have been producing papers since long. Such model of enterprise is being replicating in other districts as well. In order to access the markets (both national and international) of these papers, the product promotion via modification of the existing varieties and development of new varieties are the basic needs. Realizing the need based, the product design was performed as per the requirements of the buyers thereby maintaining the quality of Lokta paper.

On the other hand, Lokta (renowned in the international market as Lokta paper) is depleting day by day due to over exploitation. For this reason, Argeli is being considered as an additional source of raw material for paper making today. Argeli has a wide range of distribution in hilly regions of Dolakha and Ramechhap districts. Besides, it is managed by community forest user groups and even cultivated in community forests and in marginal private lands. Furthermore, it has characteristics of quick regenerating potentiality in natural condition and on cultivation it provides the yield in short period of time. Besides, the cultivation technique is easy to disseminate to farmers. So, Argeli can be self conserved in nature and can be utilized in a sustainable way.

Various private and community owned enterprises in Dolakha have been making handmade paper from Argeli bark. However, the hand made paper from Argeli bark lack quality to be sure for the market. So, it was felt necessary to introduce the improve technology of paper making to produce the quality Argeli paper, which would assure market in premium price.

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2 Objectives

The specific objectives of the project are as follows:

To study and conduct research on the existing hand made paper and paper products in the market and assess for the products to be developed.

To design and develop the paper and paper products to meet the standard as per the markets (both national and international).

To assure and sustain the market for paper produced by community enterprises of rural areas.

To conduct research for the introduction of improved technology to produce quality Argeli paper.

3 Program Implementation Process

a. The following implementation procedures were carried out during the product design and development of Lokta paper: Range of paper products traded in the overseas market

was studied and samples were collected. Selected products were sorted as potential products to

be modified by HBTL. Selected paper products were modified as given in table

-1. Suggestions/ feedback from various paper exporters were

considered. Newly modified paper products were registered as HBTL's

products. Prices were quoted for the new products.

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b. The following implementation procedures were carried out during the quality improvement of Argeli paper:

During the preliminary stage, the consultation on how to improve the quality of Argeli paper was carried out with paper manufacturers and exporters of Kathmandu.

The members of the study team visited various Argeli paper manufacturers of Kathmandu. The observation was done visually and interviews were taken with the proprietors and workers involved in the manufacturing of Argeli paper.

The samples of Argeli paper were also collected from manufacturers. The quality of Argeli papers thus manufactured was also analyzed.

Altogether two varieties of paper production techniques were tested.

o Pure Argeli paper

o Mixed Argeli paper. Pure Argeli paper was produced in different weights-5gm,

10 gm, 20gm, 40gm and 60gm were produced adopting Japanese technology, except 5gm paper. Procedures applied for making pure Argeli paper are as follows:

1. The Argeli fiber collected during the months December-

March was used as raw materials. ↓

2. Only the fibers harvested from the young plants, devoid of diseases were used.

↓ 3. Steaming was done while separating the fiber from the

Argeli bark. ↓

4. It was assured that smoke didn't contaminate to Argeli fiber while steaming.

↓ 5. Argeli bark was soaked in water tank overnight.

↓ 6. Foreign materials were removed from Argeli bark.

↓ 7. The fiber was then well baked in cooking vat with

caustic soda (5% of the total weight of Argeli weight) for 1-3 hours.

↓

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8. Baked Argeli fiber was again washed with running water (overnight, if possible); insuring caustic soda and

unwanted materials removed. ↓

9. The dirt and non fibers were removed. ↓

10. The bark was then ground using beater machine (made from stainless steel would be better) to make homogeneous

pulp for about half to one hour. ↓

11. Liquid bleach was poured to the pulp and kept overnight.

↓

12. Unwanted materials were again removed from the pulp.

↓

13. The bleach was washed properly.

↓

14. Noorie was prepared the day before making paper; 100gram diluted in 2 liter of water.

↓

15. Noorie thus prepared was poured in vat containing pulp and water and stirred with drill machine having rotator

fans.

↓

16. Liquid Sibu (extract of Haluwabed fruit) was used in the nets to ensure that the paper doesn't stick to the

nets.

↓

17. The remaining processes are same as the existing methods (Japanese methods).

↓

18. For vegetable/chemical dye, pulp dye method was followed (Vegetable color/chemical color was added as per requirement to pulp at the time of paper making). Plate dye

did not retain in this process of paper making.

↓

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19. To produce natural color (Creamy color paper), liquid bleach should not be used.

Mixed Argeli paper; both containing Argeli and Lokta

fiber was produced in different weights-10gm, 20gm and 40gm were produced adopting traditional methods. Procedures followed during making of the mixed Argeli paper are as follows:

1. Both Argeli bark and Lokta bark was soaked in water tank overnight separately.

↓ 2. Foreign materials were removed from both the barks.

↓ 3. Both the fibers were then well baked in cooking vat with caustic soda (5% of the total weight of the barks) for

1-3 hours, separately.

↓ 4. Baked Argeli fibers and Lokta fibers were again washed with running water (overnight, if possible), separately.

↓ 5. The dirt and non fibers were removed from both

fibers.

↓ 6. 10% of Lokta bark and 90% of Argeli bark were mixed and then ground using beater machine (made from stainless steel would be better) to make homogeneous pulp for about

half to one hour.

↓ 7. Liquid bleach was poured to the pulp and kept

overnight.

↓ 8. Unwanted materials were again removed from the pulp.

↓ 9. The bleach was washed properly.

↓ 10. Noorie was prepared the day before making paper;

100gram diluted in 2 liter of water.

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↓ 11. Noorie thus prepared was poured in vat containing pulp and water and stirred with drill machine having

rotator fans.

↓ 12. The remaining processes are same as the existing

traditional methods of paper making.

↓ 13. To produce natural color (Creamy color paper), liquid

bleach should not be used

3.1 Important Points to be Considered

Paper should be stored in room with cross ventilation. Store room should not leak water. Be sure that store room should not be habitat of

mice/rats. Paper should be placed in good quality wooden tools (not

directly on the floor) Paper should be stored for at least 3 months before use

for increasing strength and to reduce moisture absorption.

Ash should be used in percentage basis with caustic soda for baking the Lokta/Argeli fibers.

Natural Noorie (Inner bark of Gogan, Kaulo etc) should be trialed.

Fibers other than Lokta should be trialed to mix with Argeli for improving the strength.

Vegetable/Chemical dye on Argeli paper should be trialed.

3.2 Outcomes of the Activities a. The outcomes of the hand made paper product design and development from Lokta paper are as follows: After the conduction of product design and development

activities, the products modified from the existing variety are as follows:

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1. Note books

Knotted journal Journal with double bird-cover

Tibetan Alphabet journal Wrinkled hard cover large journal

Journal with bone button closure Journal with hard cover

Golden Bodhi large blue journal Journal with mirror cover

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Product Code

Products Description (Size and weight)

HBTL-NB-1 Note books 4” x 6”, green and gold; 50 pages HBTL-NB-2 Note books 4” x 6” , multicolor; 50 pages HBTL-NB-3 Note books 6 ¼” x 8 ½”, multicolor; 50 pages HBTL-NB-4 Note books 6 ¼” x 8 ½”, green textured; 50

pages HBTL-NB-5 Note books 4” x 6”, green textured; 50 pages HBTL-NB-6 Note books 6 ¼” x 8 ½”, red/black textured; 50

pages HBTL-NB-7 Note books Flame large red journal; 50 pages HBTL-NB-8 Note books Golden Bodhi large brown journal; 50

pages HBTL-NB-9 Note books Wrinkled Hard cover large journal;

50 pages HBTL-NB-10 Note books Pang den large journal; 50 pages HBTL-NB-11 Note books Plain Bodhi large journal; 50 pages HBTL-NB-12 Note books Silver Bodhi large journal; 50 pages HBTL-NB-13 Note books Silver Bodhi large blue; 50 pages HBTL-NB-14 Note books Golden Bodhi large blue journal; 50

pages HBTL-NB-15 Note books Tashi delek large journal; 50 pages HBTL-NB-16 Note books Tibetan Alphabet journal; 50 pages HBTL-NB-17 Note books Totala large journal; 50 pages HBTL-NB-18 Note books Two button large journal; 50 pages HBTL-NB-19 Note books Two button sponge journal; 50 pages HBTL-NB-20 Note books Buddha large journal; 50 pages HBTL-NB-21 Note books Knotted journal; 50 pages

2. Boxes/Photo frame

Product Code Products Description (Size and weight) HBTL-BOX-1 Boxes Tea box; Size: 3" x 6" x 2" HBTL-BOX-2 Boxes Red pencil box; Size: 3" x 8" x 1"

4 x 6"size photo frame

3.5 x 5"size photo frame

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HBTL-BOX-3 Boxes Tibet design box with stationary; Size: 4" x 6" x 2"

HBTL-BOX-4 Boxes Flower letter box; Size: 4" x 6" x 2" HBTL-PF-1 Photo

frame Folk art picture frame

3. Photo Album

Product Code Products Description (Size and weight) HBTL-PA-01 Photo album A3 Size, 24 pages with hard cover HBTL-PA-02 Photo album A4 Size, 24 pages with hard cover HBTL-PA-03 Photo album A5 Size, 24 pages with hard cover HBTL-PA-04 Photo album A6 Size, 24 pages with hard cover

4. Greeting cards/Book mark

Postcard size photo album

Auto size photo album

Postcard size photo album

Passport size photo album

Occasional greeting-cards

Occasional greeting-cards

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Product Code Products Description (Size and weight) HBTL-GC-DM Greeting cards Dragon multicolor card HBTL-GC-DS Greeting cards Dragon single color HBTL-GC-O Greeting cards Om card HBTL-GC-L Greeting cards Leaves card HBTL-BM-1 Book mark Tibetan letter book mark

5. Lampshades

Product Code Products Description (Size and weight) HBTL-LS-1 Lampshades Round, natural, leaves and flower HBTL-LS-2 Lampshades Flower square lampshade, blue/pink HBTL-LS-3 Lampshades Rectangle, multi color design HBTL-LS-4 Lampshades Rectangle, pressed leaves, blue

border HBTL-LS-5 Lampshades Rectangle, natural with black design HBTL-LS-6 Lampshades Hexagon, flower lampshade HBTL-LS-7 Lampshades Flower lampshade, green/orange

Orange color round lampshade

Hexagonal shape-lampshades

Diamond shape-lampshade

Square shape-lampshade

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6. Journals/ Stationeries

Product Code


HBTL-NB-01 Journal and stationery sets

Small note book with hard cover, 50 pages

HBTL-NB-02 Journal and stationery sets

Large note book with hard cover, 50 pages

HBTL-LP-01 Journal and stationery sets

Letter pad with hard cover, 50 pages

HBTL-LP-02 Journal and stationery sets

Letter pad with hard cover, 50 pages

HBTL-SF-01 Journal and stationery sets

Stationery folder set with 10 envelopes and 20 writing paper

HBTL-SW-02 Journal and stationery sets

Stationery writing set with 10 envelopes and 20 writing paper

7. Files/Folders

Product Code


HBTL-F-01 Files and folders

A'4 File folder with double pocket with 80 gm paper


A'4 File folder with single pocket with 80 gm paper


A'4 File without pocket with 80 gm paper

Writing set

Writing set with Letter pad

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8. Envelopes

Product Code


HBTL-EV-01 Envelopes 5" x 7" with 20 gm paper HBTL-EV-02 Envelopes 4" x 9" with 20 gm paper HBTL-EV-03 Envelopes 6.25" x 9.25" with 20 gm paper HBTL-EV-04 Envelopes 6.25" x 9.25" with 40 gm paper HBTL-EV-05 Envelopes 9" x 12.25" with 20 gm paper HBTL-EV-06 Envelopes 9" x 12.25" with 40 gm paper

9. Printing paper/ Letter head

Product Code Products Description (Size and weight) HBTL-A3-NP-01 Printing paper A3 Size, 20 gm natural paper HBTL-A3-NP-02 Printing paper A3 Size, 40 gm natural paper HBTL-A3-DP-01 Printing paper A3 Size, 20 gm dyed paper (both

artificial and vegetable color) HBTL-A3-DP-02 Printing paper A3 Size, 40 gm dyed paper (both

artificial and vegetable color)

Envelope

Envelope with greeting card

Designed printing paper with envelope

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HBTL-A4-NP-01 Letter head A4 Size, 20 gm natural paperHBTL-A4-NP-02 Letter head A4 Size, 40 gm natural paper HBTL-A4-DP-01 Letter head A4 Size, 20 gm dyed paper (both

artificial and vegetable color) HBTL-A4-DP-02 Letter head A4 Size, 40 gm dyed paper (both

artificial and vegetable color) HBTL-A5-NP-01 Printing paper A5 Size, 20 gm natural paper HBTL-A5-NP-02 Printing paper A5 Size, 40 gm natural paper HBTL-A5-DP-01 Printing paper A5 Size, 20 gm dyed paper (both

artificial and vegetable color) HBTL-A5-DP-02 Printing paper A5 Size, 40 gm dyed paper (both

artificial and vegetable color) 10. Shopping/ Wine bags

Product Code Products Description (Size and weight) HBTL-SB-01 Shopping bag Small shopping bag with 40 gm paperHBTL-SB-02 Shopping bag Shopping bag with 40 gm paper HBTL-SB-03 Shopping bag Shopping bag with 40 gm paper HBTL-SB-04 Shopping bag Shopping bag with 40 gm paper HBTL-SB-05 Shopping bag Shopping bag with 40 gm paper HBTL-WSB-01 Wine bag Wine bag with 40 gm paper

11. Sheet papers

Tile shaped Vegetable dyed sheet-paper

Mosaic Vegetable dyed sheet-paper

Mosaic sheet-paper

Plain & Mosaic sheet-paper

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Product Code


HBTL-NS-01 Natural sheet paper Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 10gram



HBTL-CS-01 Artificial color sheet paper

Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 20gram

HBTL-CS-02 Artificial color sheet paper


HBTL-VCS-01 Vegetable color sheet paper


HBTL-VSC-02 Vegetable color sheet paper


HBTL-VDPM-01 Vegetable dyed patch mosaic sheet

Size: 20" x 30"; Weight:20gram

HBTL-VDPM-02 Vegetable dyed patch mosaic sheet


HBTL-VDPMC-O1

Vegetable dyed patch mosaic calender sheet


HBTL-VDPMC-O2

Vegetable dyed patch mosaic calender sheet


HBTL-VDP-01 Vegetable dyed patch sheet


HBTL-VDP-02 Vegetable dyed patch sheet


12. Wrapping papers

Mosaic wrapping paper

Dragon printed wrapping paper

Mosaic wrapping paper

Chocolate colored wrapping paper

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Product Code Products Description (Size and weight) HBTL-WRP-1 Wrapping

paper Size: 20" x 30"; Weight:20gram Natural with pressed leaves/flower petals

HBTL-WRP-2 Wrapping paper

Size: 20" x 30"; Weight:40gram Natural with pressed leaves/flower petals


Size: 20" x 30" ; Weight: 20gram Brown with leaf imprint


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 40gram Brown with leaf imprint


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight:20gram Honey brown textured


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 20gram Black with silver pattern


Size: 20" x 30" ; Weight:20gram Red with golden pattern


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 20gram Orange with blue/gold pattern


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 20gram Black with gold pattern


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 20gram Blue with white pattern


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 20gram Blue with gold pattern


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 20gram Brown textured

Orange colored wrapping paper

Grey colored wrapping paper

Red tile shaped wrapping paper

Textured wrapping paper

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Size: 20" x 30"; Weight:40gram Brown textured


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 20gram Lotus ying yang sheet paper


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 20gram Flower background sheet paper


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 20gram Flame sheet paper


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 20gram Bamboo leaf sheet paper;


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 20gram Dull green color sheet paper


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 40gram Orange color sheet paper


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 20gram Brown color sheet paper


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 40gram Brown leathery textured sheet paper


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 20gram Dark orange color sheet paper


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 20gram Dark brown patches in mosaic textured sheet paper


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight:40gram Brick pattern in brown color sheet paper


Size: 20" x 30"; Weight: 20gram Black color sheet paper

The paper making technology for improving the quality of

Argeli paper was developed and verified which can be disseminated to the community.

The comparative study between the traditional paper making technology and improved technology made us easier to formulate the market linkage strategy; for example: o To access the competitive market, new designs with dye

combination should be introduced o To identify the final destination of the paper and

paper products. o Costing of the paper products, whether it is cost

effective or not. o And other strategies

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4 Steps Missing during the Conduction of the Program

The program could not run smoothly because the factory remained close about half a period during the shifting process. And that the other possible premises could not be managed.

Majority of the time was contributed for the quality improvement of Argeli paper rather than the product design and development from Lokta paper, as per the demand of the community enterprises.

The manpower could not be mobilized fully due to the busy schedule of the management coordinator.

5 Future Strategy

The main thrust of the project is to sustain the paper produced by the pro-poor focus community enterprises by linking them to the buyers and markets. In addition, the project is seeking for the value addition to these papers through product diversification which would fulfill the requirements of the markets and would create the local level employment and income generations. Specifically the following are the future strategies: Market linkage (both national and international) of the

paper and paper products. Utilization of the local underutilized resources while

developing the paper products. Such as: bamboo, nigalo, flowers, leaves etc.

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Conduction of research for quality paper making technology from natural fibers other than Lokta and Argeli.

Conduction of training to the employees of the pro-poor focus enterprises of rural areas about the product design and development from hand made paper.

Continuity to the product design and development activities.

6 Future Plan

HBTL will initiate the product design and development from NTFPs rather than from hand made paper alone. After the products design and developed by HBTL, the technology will be transferred to different models of community enterprises which will be set up in Northern Dolakha. The products thus developed by the community enterprises will be market linked by HBTL. The steps to be followed are as follows:

1. Products from NTFP design and developed by HBTL. ↓

2. Technology transfer to community enterprises. ↓

3. Products developed by community enterprises. ↓

4. Market linkage of the products by HBTL.

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The strategic planning for the product design and development from NTFP is summarized as below: SN Activities Responsibility Strategy1 NTFP based products design

and develop by HBTL (Potential products identified as: herbal tea, herbal drink, herbal jam, herbal soap, herbal candy, incense, natural fibre products from allo, hemp, argeli and others, natural dyes, bamboo handicrafts, ayurvedic medicine, health care herbal products etc.)

HBTL Collaboration with NSCFP

2 Training to the employees of pro-poor model community enterprises about the product develop and design from NTFPs of Northern Dolakha

HBTL Collaboration with NSCFP

3 Motivate the community enterprises to design and develop the products from NTFPs

HBTL and Everest Gateway Herbs

Collaboration with NSCFP

4 Marketing of the products manufactured by the community enterprise

HBTL HBTL will market the products

Documents

Product Design and Promotion From Handmade Paper