ABOUT US
MC Paper is a little independent paper mill located in Toscolano Maderno, on Lake Garda.
Here, the two master papermakers Marco and Michela meticulously produce paper by hand every day,
carrying on the centuries-old tradition of their town.
Historically, in fact, in Toscolano – more precisely in the Paper Mill Valley –
the production of paper started in the 1300s,
making this hamlet one of the main Italian paper-making centres.
THE TEAM
Artisan papermaker
MARCO CASTELLINI
Graduated in accounting, but always passionate about genuine craftsmanship. After a few years working as an accountant, I decided to fully dedicate myself to what I truly love: creating with my own hands.
So, in February 2016, I crafted my first artisanal paper sheet and I turned my passion into a career.
Artisan papermaker
CHRISTIAN CASTELLINI
I have always been a creative person, passionate about handmade products. After several years of experience in the hospitality industry on Lake Garda, I decided to create something that was mine, that represented me and stimulated me. Together with Marco, I founded the MC Paper artisanal workshop in 2022 and began my journey in the world of papermaking art.
Artisan papermaker
MICHELA BERTANZA
I have always been a creative person, passionate about handmade products. After several years of experience in the hospitality industry on Lake Garda, I decided to create something that was mine, that represented me and stimulated me. Together with Marco, I founded the MC Paper artisanal workshop in 2022 and began my journey in the world of papermaking art.
Artisan papermaker
GIULIA DONADONI
I have always been a creative person, passionate about handmade products. After several years of experience in the hospitality industry on Lake Garda, I decided to create something that was mine, that represented me and stimulated me. Together with Marco, I founded the MC Paper artisanal workshop in 2022 and began my journey in the world of papermaking art.
RECOGNITIONS
QUALITÀ ARTIGIANA
LOMBARDY REGION
Since 2022, MC PAPER has been officially awarded the “Qualità Artigiana Lombarda” accolade by the Lombardy Region for the work of excellence and it became the only artisan papermaking technique to be officially recognised in Lombardy.
ECCELLENZA ARTIGIANA
WELLMADE
Since 2023, MC PAPER has been selected as one of the Italian Artisan Excellences on the Wellmade platform, a project that discovers and assesses the best craftspeople, by promoting and appraising the Made in Italy.
Click here
to see our page on well-made.it
BOTTEGA ARTIGIANA
D'ECCELLENZA
ITALIA SU MISURA
In 2022, the OMA Association (Osservatorio dei Mestieri d’Arte) awarded MC PAPER the certification of Botteghe Artigiane d’Eccellenza (Artisan Workshop of Excellence), through their Italia su Misura (tailor-made Italy) project.
to see our page on italia-sumisura.it
DE.CO. PRODUCT
MUNICIPALITY OF TOSCOLANO MADERNO
The paper crafted by MC Paper has been identified as a DE.CO. product (Denominazione Comunale – Municipal Designation), recognised as fully representative of the authenticity of the town and its ancient local tradition.
OUR PRODUCTION
Everything begins with a careful selection of the raw material: MC Paper uses FSC-certified plant-based cellulose. This important certification identifies the vegetal raw material as being sourced from controlled and protected forests. Moreover, it guarantees the protection of the entire forest ecosystem, the rights of indigenous populations and the reforestation efforts.
The production starts with the “refining” process, where cellulose and water are put into a refiner that grinds the pulp, considerably increasing the fibres’ resistance. The obtained pulp, along with more water, is then added to the “tina”, the vat where the papermaker starts forming the sheet. This is done by immersing a paper mold with precise movements meant to braid the fibres and shape the sheet of paper. Next, the papermaker detaches the sheet from the mold placed on absorbent felts which, after the production is ultimate, are pressed in a machine to remove excess water. The sheets are now damp but not yet dry: he hangs them on a drying rack and wait. Once dry, the paper isn’t ready yet. The final step is smoothing, and then our sheets will be ready for printing, drawing or writing.