How to Make a Paper Mache Bowl: 2 Easy Methods

Learning how to make a paper mache bowl gives you two main techniques to choose from: paper strips or paper pulp. The strip method is simple and beginner-friendly, while pulp creates a more moldable mixture for shaping the bowl. This tutorial walks you through both methods step by step, from preparing the paper to removing, painting and finishing your bowl.

How to Make a Paper Mache Bowl (Quick Guide)

There are two ways to make the bowl in this tutorial: with paper strips or paper pulp. Use these steps for a quick overview of each method before starting.

Paper Strip Method

1. Prepare the Mold: Choose a bowl and cover the outside with plastic wrap
2. Add the Paper Mache Strips: Dip the strips in paste, overlap them over the mold and build up the layers
3. Dry the Bowl: Leave the paper mache until it is completely dry
4. Remove the Mold: Carefully loosen the dried bowl and remove the plastic wrap
5. Paint and Seal: Neaten the rim, add your chosen paint and apply a sealer if desired

Paper Pulp Method

1. Shred and Soak the Paper: Tear the paper into small pieces, cover with hot water and leave it to soften
2. Blend and Drain the Paper: Break the soaked paper down into pulp, squeeze out the water and crumble it
3. Mix the Paper Mache Pulp: Combine the paper with flour, salt and enough water to create a clay-like consistency
4. Prepare the Mold and Shape the Bowl: Cover the mold with plastic wrap and press an even layer of pulp over it
5. Dry and Remove the Bowl: Let the pulp dry completely before carefully separating it from the mold
6. Paint and Finish: Neaten the bowl, add your chosen paint and apply a sealer if desired

What Is a Paper Mache Bowl?

A paper mache bowl is a decorative container formed from paper and a binding mixture, usually shaped over an existing bowl or similar mold. The finished piece can be used for holding lightweight, dry items such as jewelry or keys or simply displayed as décor.

CAUTION: Paper mache bowls are not intended for serving or storing food.

How to Make a Paper Mache Bowl with Strips

The easiest way to make a paper mache bowl is to apply strips of paper or newspaper individually with paste you can easily prepare. This method creates a slightly more textured finish than pulp and is particularly suitable for beginners and kids.

The Supplies

For the paper strip method of making a paper mache bowl, you will need:

• Paper or Newspaper: Cut or tear it into strips approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide
• Paper Mache Paste: Use to bind the strips together as they dry
• Mixing Bowl: Holds the prepared paste
• Bowl: Serves as the mold for your finished shape
• Plastic Wrap: Prevents the paper mache from sticking directly to the mold
• Acrylic Craft Paint: Adds color and decorative details
• Topcoat or Craft Sealer (Optional): Helps protect the finished surface

1. Prepare the Mold

Choose a bowl in the size and shape you want for your finished project. Cover its outside completely with plastic wrap. Smooth the plastic as much as possible so large folds don’t transfer to the paper mache surface.

2. Add the Paper Mache Strips

Once your mold is ready, do the following:

1. Dip the paper strips into the prepared paste one at a time. Remove any excess paste, then lay the strips over the mold.
2. Continue adding strips, overlapping them slightly and changing their direction as you work. Smooth the paper against the mold to remove large wrinkles and air pockets.
3. Build up the layers until the bowl reaches your desired thickness.

TIPS: Check the sides and base as you work to make sure the layers are reasonably even throughout the bowl. Also, pay attention to the rim as you work; you can fold the strips neatly around the edge or leave a little excess to trim once the bowl has dried.

3. Dry the Bowl

Once the bowl has reached your desired thickness and shape, leave it in a warm, well-ventilated place until completely dry. Drying time will vary depending on the thickness of the layers and the surrounding conditions. Don’t remove the mold while any areas still feel soft or damp.

4. Remove the Mold

Carefully begin separating the dried paper mache from the mold by loosening the edges gradually, working your way around the bowl rather than pulling from one spot. Rotate the mold as you work until the paper mache begins to release. Then, remove the plastic wrap once the mold has been released.

TIP: Don’t force the bowl away from the mold, as this may crack or distort the dried paper.

5. Paint and Seal the Bowl

Trim or neaten your paper mache bowl’s rim if necessary before decorating it. Acrylic craft paint is an easy option for adding color, patterns and other decorative details. Once the paint dries, apply a suitable craft sealer or topcoat if desired.

How to Make a Paper Mache Bowl With Paper Pulp

Paper pulp creates a more moldable mixture than individual strips, making it easier to press the material into a continuous shape. However, preparing the pulp takes longer because the paper needs to be soaked, blended and mixed before you can start forming the bowl.

The Supplies

When making a paper mache bowl with paper pulp is the project you want to take on, here’s what you’ll need:

• Shredded Paper: Forms the base of the pulp
• Flour: Helps bind the mixture
• Salt: Added to the pulp mixture
• Hot Water: Softens the shredded paper
• Mixing Bowl: Used for soaking and mixing
• Immersion Blender or Regular Blender: Breaks down the softened paper
• Bowl: Provides the mold for the finished shape
• Plastic wrap: Creates a barrier between the pulp and mold
• Acrylic Craft Paint: Used for decorating the finished bowl
• Topcoat or Craft Sealer (Optional): Helps protect the finished surface

Here are the basic steps on how to make a paper mache bowl with paper pulp:

1. Shred and Soak the Paper

1. Shred or tear the paper into small pieces and place them in a mixing bowl. Smaller pieces absorb water more readily and are easier to break down later.
2. Then, add enough hot water to completely cover the paper, making sure all the pieces are submerged.
3. Leave the paper to soak for several hours or overnight to soften the fibers and make them easier to blend into pulp.

2. Blend and Drain the Paper

1. Once the paper has softened, use an immersion blender to break it down. Alternatively, transfer the soaked paper and water to a regular blender in small batches.
2. Continue blending until the paper has broken down into pulp.
3. Take handfuls of the pulp and squeeze out the excess water.
4. Transfer the drained paper to another bowl and crumble it apart so there are no large compressed pieces.

3. Mix the Paper Mache Pulp

Now is the fun part where your crumbled wet paper becomes the paper mache pulp you need for this project! Combine 3 parts paper crumble with 1 part flour. Add salt, then gradually mix in a small amount of water until the ingredients come together. The finished pulp should have a clay-like consistency that holds together when shaped.

NOTE: Avoid adding too much water at once. You can always add a little more if the mixture feels too dry.

4. Prepare the Mold and Shape the Bowl

Now that your paper mache pulp is ready, you can start building up your paper mache bowl. Here’s how:

1. Choose the bowl you want to use as a mold and cover the outside completely with plastic wrap.
2. Smooth the plastic wrap against the surface as much as possible to minimize unwanted creases.
3. Take small amounts of paper pulp and press them over the prepared mold.
4. Continue adding pulp until the entire surface is covered. Aim for a layer approximately ¼ inch thick, keeping the thickness as consistent as possible.
5. Blend the edges of each piece of pulp into the surrounding material as you work. You can smooth the surface or deliberately leave some texture depending on the finish you want.

TIP: Pay particular attention to the rim and base, where the pulp can easily become thicker or thinner than the surrounding areas.

5. Dry and Remove the Bowl

Leave the bowl in a warm, well-ventilated place until the pulp is completely dry and firm. Because the pulp is thicker than paper strips, this method may take longer to dry. Once dry, carefully separate the paper mache from the mold and remove the plastic wrap.

6. Paint and Finish the Bowl

Neaten the bowl’s rim or surface if necessary, then paint your paper mache bowl and allow it to dry completely. Add patterns, details or other decorative finishes as desired. Finish with a suitable craft sealer or topcoat if you want additional surface protection.

Tips for Making a Paper Mache Bowl

These tips will help you shape the bowl more evenly and get a neater finish, whether you’re working with paper strips or pulp:

• Choose the Mold Carefully: Consider the width, depth and profile of the bowl since these determine the basic proportions of the finished piece
• Plan the Rim Early: Decide whether you want a neat, even edge or a more organic shape before the paper mache dries
• Use Smaller Pieces Around Curves: Shorter strips or smaller amounts of pulp are easier to position around tighter curves
• Rotate the Mold as You Work: Looking at the bowl from different angles makes it easier to spot uneven areas before they dry
• Think About the Final Finish: A smooth painted design benefits from a neater surface, while a more rustic finish can make uneven texture part of the design

Common Paper Mache Bowl Problems

If your bowl isn’t drying or holding its shape as expected, check these common problems before moving on to painting and finishing.

• The bowl feels soft. Moisture may still be trapped inside thicker areas, so allow more drying time.
• The bowl cracks during removal. The mold may have been removed too quickly or before the paper mache was completely dry.
• The sides are uneven. Uneven strip layering or pulp thickness can create thinner and thicker areas.
• The bowl sticks to the mold. Make sure the mold is completely covered with plastic wrap before applying the paper mache.

Paper Mache Bowl FAQs

How to Make a Paper Mache Bowl – In Conclusion

Now that you know how to make a paper mache bowl using strips or pulp, you can experiment with different molds, textures and finishes. Each method produces a slightly different result, so try both to see which technique you prefer.

More Paper Mache Projects:

• Paper Mache Pinata
• Paper Mache Volcano
• Paper Mache Pumpkin
• Paper Mache Balloon
• Paper Mache Globe
• Paper Mache Mask