New Ilford Japanese Washi Papers

We're now offering Ilford's newly released range of gorgeous, traditionally made Japanese Washi papers, and they are something very special indeed.  These papers are hand crafted by real paper artisans in the Japanese city of Echizen, an area whose rich history in Washi production spans well over a thousand years.  The craftsmanship of making Washi paper is handed down through local Echizen families for generations, so the techniques used today are the same used centuries ago by their ancestors.  Each sheet is carefully hand-produced on a traditional Japanese Tanmo machine according to the individual style of each washi master, ensuring every batch is unique. 

Composed of 40% Kozo (fibres from the mulberry tree) and 60% hemp fibres, these papers have a wonderful, natural-looking appearance and come in both smooth and textured options. Each sheet is coated with Ilford's special inkjet receiving layer which delivers exceptionally deep blacks, vibrant colours and superb tonal depth. As they are produced with almost zero chemicals, they are acid, lignin and optical brightener free. It's lightweight, natural beauty lends it a pleasing, gentle luminosity.

What really makes these papers special is that even though it looks and feels so light, Washi is produced in sheets with very long fibres which become tightly entangled, making it extremely flexible and durable. With the proper care and handling, Ilford's new Tesuki-Washi range are a beautiful choice for long-lasting fine art and and photographic reproductions.