Handmade Paper Industry in Anhui, China: Technological Diversity, Material Systems, and Conservation Applicability

Abstract

Qianlong’s West Lake Handscroll is a Qing dynasty court painting with significant

Handmade paper is an important material carrier of traditional Chinese papermaking technology and plays a significant role in calligraphy, painting, and cultural heritage conservation. Based on field investigation and process analysis, this study examines representative handmade paper producers in Anhui Province, including traditional Xuan paper factories, conservation-oriented paper workshops, and industrialized paper enterprises. The research focuses on raw material systems, bleaching technologies, manual sheet forming, intelligent sheet-forming equipment, and conservation applicability. Results show that differences in fiber materials, processing methods, and papermaking techniques directly affect paper structure, durability, and restoration compatibility. Traditional Xuan paper systems represented by Hongxing and Taoji exhibit strong material compatibility, while Yixuange and Shoujin handmade papers show significant potential for conservation-oriented applications. The study suggests that future development of handmade paper should integrate traditional craftsmanship with materials science and conservation research to promote the scientific preservation and sustainable development of traditional papermaking technology.