Sustainable Japanese Paper Manufacturing Is Environmentally Friendly

Traditional Japanese paper is known for its high quality primarily due to its use of fibrous materials from the Kozo, Gampi, and Mitsumata shrubs. The current conventional manufacturing techniques for Japanese papers have a fourteen hundred year legacy, and people have been working this way since 610 CE!

It’s a celebrated tradition for Japanese companies to follow, but Edofiber has not limited itself to rely solely on traditional techniques. We have gone a step further with our manufacturing processes, ensuring that our products meet strict sustainability standards. That’s significant because Japan is the world’s third-leading national consumer of paper products and relies heavily on imports for raw materials for production.

We Use Manufacturing Processes That Reduce Deforestation

Edofiber is well aware of the crucial need to reduce deforestation levels worldwide. In that spirit, we strive to use the natural fibers and vegetable-based inks. This commitment to using inks that replace petroleum solvents introduces fewer chemicals into the environment. We’re aware that it takes a firm commitment from global manufacturers like us to reduce our carbon footprint and preserve the environment.

Edofiber contributes to achieving the UN’s 14 Sustainable Development Goals as part of Edofiber’s environmental strategy.

That devotion has earned our company certification from the Forest Stewardship Council, making us the world’s first company to achieve this honor. We feel that it’s essential for our company to provide environmentally friendly Washi paper manufacturing that helps to reduce the negative impact on the environment.

The Forest Stewardship Council’s forest management certification gets awarded to companies that continuously prove they manage forest resources consistent with improving biological diversity. At the same time, these efforts benefit local workers and people who rely on the company’s operations in the local economy.

Using Natural Dyes Provides Many Benefits

Our commitment doesn’t end with paper manufacturing. We exclusively use environmentally-friendly vegetable inks for all of our printing services. Doing so offers several benefits, including producing aesthetically pleasing paper designs.

One traditional Japanese paper dyeing method is called Yasha. Yasha creates a natural yellow-brown color, derived from the boiled cones of the alder tree. Sakura is another natural dye made from cherry tree blossoms.

Using traditional dyes has been popular among Japanese paper manufacturers since the eighth century.

In the twelve centuries since Yasha’s invention, the dye has proven itself worthy because it exhibits durability and stability. These qualities are highly sought-after by conservationists and museums when preserving and restoring ancient documents. Combined with Washi, conservationists and restoration teams are able to produce a paper that exceeds expectations for usability, beauty, and sustainability.

Yasha proves its value in the world of document conservation, where it’s invaluable. This all-natural dye unlocks a subtle variety of colors and hues that enhance the paper’s final presentation. With a keen eye for the most minute details and passion for sustainability, we’re confident that our Washi paper is the highest quality.

Traditional Japanese dyes have graced Washi paper for over 1000 years. Edofiber is proud to help maintain this legacy of the environmental-first manufacturing approach and production of Washi paper.

Natural Properties of Washi Paper Now Extended to New Markets

One of the most compelling qualities of Washi Paper is it’s an all-natural and incredibly durable paper. These properties make it a logical choice for modern restauranteurs interested in preserving the environment and providing a memorable customer experience.

Washi paper has protected chopsticks for a long time, and the material has repeatedly proven its worth. The goal is to protect and preserve chopsticks, providing diners with an unforgettable experience. The natural properties of Washi paper make it ideal for use in the foodservice industry.

You’ll soon understand why the material is so popular when you discover the most remarkable properties of Washi paper.

Consider the Many Benefits of Washi Paper

Washi paper production uses an acid-free process, which enables archival qualities without a hint of yellowing. The most fantastic part may be that this type of paper can last one thousand years!

One of the reasons the paper lasts so long is because it blocks UV rays. That makes it ideal for wrapping items that must remain protected from ultraviolet rays. Extended exposure to sunlight can cause enormous damage, including discoloration or fading. Wrapping chopsticks in Washi Paper is a surefire way to preserve them and keep them looking as ideal as possible.

Prevent Insect Damage and More

Another interesting fact about Washi paper is it has natural insect-repellant properties. These properties make it an ideal protective wrapping for garment storage since clothing fibers often attract more than their fair share of moths and other damaging insects.

Additionally, washi paper is an absorbent material that does an excellent job of deodorizing. That makes it useful for a variety of applications where odor can be an issue.

Washi paper is extremely durable, especially in comparison to traditional Western paper derived from trees. The difference is that Washi uses long strands of fiber from the Gampi tree (Diplomorpha sikokiana), Mitsumata shrub (Edgeworthia chrysantha), or the paper mulberry bush (Broussonetia papyrifera). Those fibers add durability to the finished product, which makes it last longer than other comparable products.

As you may imagine, all of these properties go a long way towards making Washi paper the world-famous option it is currently. With even more innovation, the material can find many new use cases and applications.

Anti-Bacterial: Our Newest Innovation

Edofiber is well-known for its pre-eminent position as a Washi paper manufacturer. One of the reasons we’re so renowned is because of our commitment to innovation. To that end, Edofiber has developed a new manufacturing process that uses an injection of catechin flavin-3-ols into Washi papers.

This process is a breakthrough because it adds anti-bacterial properties to Washi Paper, extending the possible uses for the material to new industries. The paper is suitable for medical office products, nursing home supplies, healthcare, and traditional foodservice supply companies.

Please watch for more information on Edofiber’s Washi anti-bacterial line of papers next month. We’re proud of our new process and can’t wait to share details with everyone. Make sure to visit our blog often for the latest information about Washi paper.

Traditional Japanese Paper Adds Flair and Sophistication

There’s little doubt that traditional Japanese paper, Washi, has earned a global reputation for being a high-quality product. Washi paper integrates intimately with Japanese culture. For insights, consider the origin of the name.

“Wa” means “Japanese” and “shi” means “paper,” so it’s evident this material has long been an integral part of Japanese heritage and identity. The specialty paper uses local fiber from Japanese shrubs and trees and then undergoes vigorous manual processing.

Constant Development Raises Washi Paper Production to an Artform

Historical sources indicate that Washi paper first arrived in Japan thanks to Korean Buddhist priest Doncho. As they’re known to do, the Japanese took the original techniques he taught and advanced them to a new level. They used local fiber sources to make the paper as efficient and durable as possible.

Using textile-type materials like Kozo and Gampi added substantial strength to the paper, significantly extending it’s longevity and making it even more versatile.

Master’s at crafts loved working with the material so much that over thirteen hundred years of production, it became a foundation for numerous Japanese artforms. Production of the paper was such an intrinsic part of Japanese culture that entire towns sprang up around making Washi paper.

All these years later, Washi paper continues to evolve. Centuries of use and a global customer base ensure that it will remain essential. Let’s consider some of the applications for Washi in modern times.

Washi has proven itself a strong contender in the digital printing space. The same qualities that make it attractive for traditional uses are also ideal for printing. Durability and versatility are among the reasons that printers use Washi.

Discover Washi for Printable Paper

White washi paper for digital printing gives you several different options for producing the highest-quality printed documents.

• Yama – The production process for this paper uses wood pulp from coniferous trees. That makes the finished product suitable for greeting cards, invitations, envelopes, and stamp-books.
• Kawa – Edofiber uses dedicated machines to produce this type of paper while retaining its hand-made appeal. This printable form of Washi is suited for food service.
• Kumo – Kumo is similar to Kawa but uses a mix of Rayon fiber. The end product is printable and commonly used in foodservice.

Washi Paper Is Ideal for Office Supplies

Washi is gaining traction in the office supply sector. The material makes an excellent source of packaging paper, stationery, and craft supplies. Washi packaging papers come in a broad range of colors and styles, so it’s easy to find something perfect for any project. Make sure to check out our extensive collection for inspiration.

Washi Products Are Integral for Food Service Companies

Foodservice and restaurant supply companies buy and sell Washi paper, often to enhance traditional-style Japanese dining experiences. Washi paper and Japanese chopsticks go hand in hand and remain an enduring symbol of the nation’s work ethic and mastery of the art of paper-making.

About Edofiber

Edofiber is a world-leading supplier of Washi paper and has all of the solutions you need. We constantly innovate and bring new products to life, so make sure to stop back often to keep up with all the latest news.

Washi Paper Supplier: Partner With the Best

Washi paper is a traditional Japanese paper, one which we have modernized for mass production while retaining the incredible qualities that have earned this paper its legendary status.

Washi is famous for its artistic and literary uses in Japan, and now it is accessible to modern business and office use.

What is Washi?

Washi is a traditional Japanese paper, long made from the inner fibers of three plants, including a type of mulberry.

Produced in Japan since its introduction from China at the hands of Buddhist monks around 610 CE, Washi was long prized for its luxurious textures, marvelous color absorbency, and incredible durability and longevity.

Because the Washi production process was more like textile production and used some textile-like materials, the resulting paper was of surpassing quality, and is still highly prized for many traditional uses today.

Creating Modern Washi

This combination of traditional beauty, durability, and luxurious textures is what we wanted to capture with our Washi. The challenge lay in finding a way to make Washi in a more efficient and modern manner.

Our parent company, Nagai Shigyo Co., Ltd., innovated a production process that captured the best aspects of the traditional process of manufacturing Washi, producing a traditional Japanese paper in a modern manner.

The resulting paper is just as durable, beautiful, and absorbent as the original handmade version. The only thing that is different is the efficient mechanized process of production, which allows us to fulfill large orders for Washi worldwide.

We are proud of our role as Japan’s largest Washi supplier, and now we are looking for partners in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Using Our Washi

What sets our Washi apart from other paper? The answer is the combination of luxurious textures, durability, and absorbency.

The luxurious textures of our Washi contribute to particularly high-quality, crisp images. They also make possible the absorbency, which means the Washi takes the ink a great deal better than conventional paper, in a more canvas-like fashion.

As a result, if you print on Washi, the completed print job will be of notably good quality. Washi printed materials are of particularly high quality, with deep, vibrant colors. The definition and clarity of the images or text printed on Washi is far superior to that of conventional paper.

Additionally, Washi is much stronger and longer-lasting than conventional paper: the fibers used to manufacture it are much tougher, making for a much more durable finished result.

If you have a need for printed materials that are of the highest quality and you want them to be long-lasting, you cannot do better than the Washi paper we supply.

Seeking Business Partners Worldwide

If you are in need of a material for printing the highest-quality printed materials, our Washi paper can serve your needs far more effectively than conventional paper. As Washi paper suppliers, we have the advantage of long experience producing excellent Washi designed for a range of modern printing needs.

When you require the greatest quality in your paper, there is no substitute for partnering with the best.