www.OrigamiBonsai.

org

What is Makigami?
The earth-friendly alternative to plastic.

"Dr. Seuss Plant"

by Benjamin John Coleman
This sculpture is made from paper.

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Executive Summary
Makigami is a moldable alternative to plastic. It is an earth-friendly, durable paper product,
similar to carbon fiber in the way that paper fibers become aligned (for strength) within the
material. It can be mass produced at low cost. Existing formulations of Makigami are suitable
for products like pens, broom handles, and other common consumer products. it is also a
versatile material which can be woven into panels and then molded into virtually any shape.

As consumer demand shifts to more earth-friendly products, Makigami affords early adopters
access to growing markets.

Summary for Artists and Crafters

Makigami represents a tremendous opportunity for artists that make wearable accessories. It
is also an inexpensive medium for sculpture creation and prototyping. With the public's
increasing focus on earth-friendly and socially responsible materials, Makigami allows artists
and craftspeople to cut costs, reduce waste, and be creative while at the same time increasing
the desirability of their products.

Summary for Inventors and Process Engineers

Makigami is an inexpensive material to use for prototyping inventions. It also presents
opportunities for development of patentable mass production techniques.

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What is Makigami?
Makigami literally means "roll-paper" in Japanese and was
invented by Benjamin John Coleman in 2009. Coleman,
creator of the Origami Bonsai art form, needed a material
from which he could create branch assemblies for
sculptures. Over a period of about a year he developed a
technique; saturating strips of newspaper (with a water-
based mixture of ingredients) and then tightly rolling them
into tapered shapes. These shapes were then attached to
molds and allowed to dry. Upon removal from the mold,
the rolled newspaper strips retained their shape. Click the image above to watch video of a strip being rolled.

What are some applications for

Makigami?
Makigami is currently being used to make branches for Origami
Bonsai sculptures. It is also used to make pens, chopsticks, bangle
bracelets, pendants, curtain tiebacks, napkin rings, and decorative
planters. It is a versatile material for which there are few limits. It
can be woven, braided, and molded into virtually any shape. One
thing Makigami cannot do is be poured into a mold, like plastic or
metal.

Why does Makigami seem to be stronger than the paper from which it is
made?
Actually paper is much stronger than you might think. Try pulling apart a piece of paper rather than tearing it. It's very
hard to do, especially if you pull parallel to the grain (longest fibers). The key to the strength of Makigami is the
alignment of paper fibers in the rolling process. Each paper strip is rolled perpendicular to the longest fibers
(perpendicular to the direction that the newspaper tears most easily). During the rolling process, the saturation solution
acts as a lubricant, allowing the newspaper to slide over itself, wrapping into ever tighter tube and then turning it into a
solid shaft of material.

Once a strip has been rolled it can then be molded by attaching it to a cylindrical or other shaped object. Once dry, the
lubricant acts like glue, and the strip becomes hard and will retain its molded shape.

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How long does it take for strips to cure?

Narrow strips dry quickly, thick strips take more time. The strips can be placed in a car
parked in the sun (solar oven) to dry more quickly. Most strips will dry in a few hours
when cured this way.

Can Makigami be mass produced?

Yes, with equipment similar to cigarette rolling machinery, but on a much larger scale.

How strong/durable is Makigami?

Makigami's strength is comparable to many types of plastic. It is stronger and lighter
than many varieties of wood.

Is Makigami biodegradable?
Yes, it degrades almost as quickly as paper does.

Is Makigami toxic?
Makigami is made entirely from non-toxic materials, therefore it is non-toxic. In fact,
one formula for Makigami rolling solution includes a common food ingredient.

Is Makigami recyclable?
Yes it can be recycled along with paper in your paper recycling bin.

Why is Makigami considered earth friendly?

Home craftspeople make Makigami from recycled newspaper. Not only can waste from
their projects be recycled, but the products they make can be recycled after they wear
out. This is far more earth friendly than most crafting materials whose waste is not
recyclable, is toxic, or is non-biodegradable

When energy is taken into account, Makigami stands out as an incredibly efficient
material to make. It doesn't require a furnace for melting or curing (like metals,
ceramics and plastics do), and we don't have to source it from distant locations.

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What do I need to make Makigami?

A shallow pan, newspaper, a paintbrush, masking tape, and a few common ingredients you probably already have in
your home. You'll also need the book Origami Bonsai Accessories. The total cost for everything you need is less than
$30

Origami Bonsai Accessories teaches how to make

durable Makigami jewelry, accessories, bangles, planters
and other items. Concepts presented can be applied to
other crafts, hobbies, and art forms. Make virtually
anything from paper. 152 pages on DVD or through
Scribd.com.

Click HERE to order.

$4 on Scribd
$10 on DVD

Please email questions or comments directly to the author:

Ben@Benagami.com

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Examples of Braided Makigami