Indian handmade paper is produced from cotton rag waste from the cotton garment/ undergarment industry. It is tree free and 100% recycled and uses no toxic chemicals acids or chlorine in the manufacturing process. During the pulp making process, colors and other waste materials like straw, grass, hemp, silk waste, flower petals are added to lend texture, color and pattern to the handmade paper.

The paper is often internally sized with rosin soap and surface-sized with gelatine, and therefore can be slightly acidic (ph 6-6.5). The sizing is necessary for the absorbent cotton to resist the penetration of water-based inks and paints. India handmade paper is generally considered to have greater tensile, bursting, tearing and double-fold strength compared to conventional paper.