The basic equipment needed to make a small papyrus sheet.

After the outer skin has been peeled away, strips of the pith are cut and rolled to make them thinner and to remove much of the juices. The strips are then soaked for a further 3 days - longer if the dark papyrus (hammered) is required.

The strips are then placed on a felt cloth, vertically, and then horizontally, until the required size is obtained. Then the sheet is pressed to remove much of the remaining moisture and to stick the individual strips together.

After drying, the finished sheet is ready for decoration.