This is an easy Strong Paper Mache Glue Paste Recipe using just household flour and water. It makes a really strong starchy homemade glue that’s perfect for Paper Mache projects! The recipe is easy to adjust so that you can make small batches or large batches depending on the size of your craft project. And it works just as well for small projects and simple paper mache objects, as it does for more complex shapes.
It’s also a great stand-alone science project to do with kids as they can watch as the two ingredients, flour and water, change when mixed together. And of course, you can spell it a few different ways; Paper Mache paste, Papier Mache paste, or Papier-Mâché recipe.
Ingredients & Materials To Make Paper Mache Paste
There are lots of different recipes to make Paper Mache Paste but one of the simplest and easiest is to use just household flour and water. And this makes a really strong starchy glue.
To make a basic homemade flour and water paper mache glue paste you will need
- Starchy household flour (plain white flour)
- water
- salt (optional)
- measuring containers (teaspoon, coffee scoop, cup etc)
- saucepan
- storage container
- heat (a camping stove is perfect for doing this in a teaching environment)
You can use cold water (straight from the tap), room temperature water, warm water, or hot water to make the paper mache glue. Whatever is easiest for you. And you could experiment to see which water gives the better consistency for you. The same applies to the type of flour you use.
Flour & Water Measurements To Make Homemade Paper Mache Glue Paste
I don’t follow an exact recipe to make my paper mache paste, but as a general rule of thumb, I use 1 part flour to 4-5 parts water.
The measuring container used depends on the quantity of paste you need to make. But you can use anything from a teaspoon to a cup.
So, for example, if I was using a cup I would use 1 cup of flour to 4-5 cups of water
My personal favourite measuring tool is a coffee scoop.
How To Make Paper Mache Paste
The method for making this simple paper mache paste recipe is really similar to making a white sauce for cooking.
- To start add one part flour to one part water to your saucepan.
- Stir the two ingredients together trying to smooth out most of the lumps.
- Next, gently heat the flour mixture, on low heat, until it starts to thicken AND turns a translucent colour. Make sure any small lumps are smoothed out here, by pressing them against the side of the saucepan.
- Keep adding a little more water, bit at a time, making sure that you get all the lumps out until you get a white sauce/runny custard consistency.
- How much water you need to add will depend on the type of flour you use, how runny you like your glue paste, and the humidity and temperature of your surroundings.
- Remove from the heat and pour your finished papier-mache paste into a bowl/container to cool.
Video Detailing How To Make Your Own Strong Paper Mache Glue Paste
The video below explains in more detail how to make the easy paper mache recipe.
How To Store Your Homemade Paper Mache Glue Paste
To store the paper mache, cover it with cling film or a container with a lid, and keep it in the fridge.
The paste will thicken in the fridge and get a ‘skin’ over it. But both can be softened between the fingers or by adding a little warm water
Printable Homemade Paper Mache Glue Paste Instructions
How To Make Paper Mache Glue Paste
Materials
- Starchy household flour plain white flour
- water
- salt optional
- measuring containers teaspoon, coffee scoop, cup etc
- saucepan
- storage container
- heat a camping stove is perfect for doing this in a teaching environment
Instructions
- To start add one part flour to one part water to your saucepan.
- Stir the two ingredients together trying to smooth out most of the lumps.
- Next, gently heat the flour mixture, on low heat, until it starts to thicken AND turns a translucent colour. Make sure any small lumps are smoothed out here, by pressing them against the side of the saucepan.
- Keep adding a little more water, bit at a time, making sure that you get all the lumps out until you get a white sauce/runny custard consistency.
- How much water you need to add will depend on the type of flour you use, how runny you like your glue paste, and the humidity and temperature of your surroundings.
- Remove from the heat and pour your finished papier-mache paste into a bowl/container to cool.
Video
Notes
Paper Mache Crafts
If you like this then you may be interested in some of my Paper Mache Craft Projects use a mixture of classic newspaper strips and paper mache paste and also paper mache pulp.
- Queen Elizabeth ll Silhouette (can be adapted to any silhouette)
- Paper mache volcano
- Paper mache fairy shoes
- Mermaid mixed media collage
- Shoebox shelves
Brilliant, I didn’t know you could make the paste, as my son is desperate to make a scene for his painted soldiers this will be a perfect start.
Ooh sounds exciting. Post a pic if when you do it xxx
Brilliant, I didn’t know you could make the paste, as my son is desperate to make a scene for his painted soldiers this will be a perfect start.
Ooh sounds exciting. Post a pic if when you do it xxx
So thrilled to discover that I know you on instagram and follow you here… it took a little paper mache person to make the connection!!!
Yay … hurray for my little paper mache person. I decided to have just one instagram account which does cause a bit of confusion 🙂
Thanks for the recipe, I’ll need this to take part in the challenge! 😀
I’m looking forward to seeing what you make xxx
Thanks for the recipe, I’ll need this to take part in the challenge! 😀
I’m looking forward to seeing what you make xxx
It is really great all the different recipes there are for papier mâché related projects. I loved working with paper Mache Clay on my last project
Do add some of your paper mache projects to Septembers #GetYourCraftOn Challenge. the theme is Papier Mache 🙂
It is really great all the different recipes there are for papier mâché related projects. I loved working with paper Mache Clay on my last project
Do add some of your paper mache projects to Septembers #GetYourCraftOn Challenge. the theme is Papier Mache 🙂
Yay … hurray for my little paper mache person. I decided to have just one instagram account which does cause a bit of confusion 🙂
Sounds brilliant, thank you! I’m going to trial it tomorrow after school with my son before using it with my class on Tuesday.
Sounds brilliant, thank you! I’m going to trial it tomorrow after school with my son before using it with my class on Tuesday.
I’m trying to make curly stiff ribbons with glitter on them… do you think this will stiffen up ribbon if I dry them wrapped around a marker or such & then add glitter? Fingers crossed! Thanks for the recipe!
I’d be concerned it would crack and flake. I would try using spray starch to stiffen and then white glue for the glitter. Maybe a very watered down version would work??