From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This image shows red pigmented flax fiber on a hand paper mould, still contained by a deckle. This sheet is quite thick which is why there is fiber spilling onto the deckle. next it is couched onto felts and pressed.

A deckle is a removable wooden frame or "fence" used in manual papermaking. In a related sense, it can also mean deckle edge paper—a type of industrially produced paper with rough cut edges used in the book trade.

A handmade piece of flax paper that has been pressed, but hasn't dried yet.

Deckle frame[edit]

In hand papermaking, a deckle is a removable wooden frame or "fence" placed into a mould to keep the paper pulp slurry within the bounds of the wire facing on a mould, and to control the size of the sheet produced. The mould and deckle is dipped into a vat of water and paper pulp that has been beat (fibrillated). The pulp is quickly scooped out of the vat and the mould and deckle is shaken as excess water is drained off. The deckle is then removed and the newly formed sheet is "couched" (set) onto felts. Fiber that has been beat longer generally requires more time to drain. If the paper slurry gets under, or if long fibers settles on top of the deckle, it will cause a more irregular edge.[1]:119, 177–178

Deckle edge[edit]

Deckle edge

Paper with a feathered edge is described as having a deckle edge, in contrast to a cut edge.[2] Machine-made paper may artificially have its edges produced to resemble a deckle edge.[1]:456, 458



Other uses[edit]

In film processing, deckles are die inserts that set the coating width of a slot die coater or the extrusion width of an extrusion die. They work by constraining the flow as the material exits the die. Since some materials have a tendency to neck in or spread out after leaving the die, workers may need to adjust the deckle position to achieve target width.

Deckle can also refer to the fatty part of a cut of brisket.[citation needed]

A deckled edge is also a feathery, unfinished paper edge. Many fine art works, and hand-made, fine art finished, or digital prints deckle the paper edge. Again, as in book printing, this was once considered an imperfection as the byproduct of hand-made paper-making. Now makers use it to create the appearance of greater value.


  1. ^ a b Hunter, Dard (1978) [1947]. Papermaking, the History and Technique of an Ancient Craft. New York: Dover Publications. ISBN 0-486-23619-6.
  2. ^ a b c d e G.F. (Jul 15, 2012). "Deckle detecting". The Economist. Retrieved July 17, 2012.

See also[edit]