In the past, our user stories have always shared with readers the various products that laser engraving machines can create, as well as how they help creators boost productivity and expand their product lines. In our latest feature, what role does the FLUX laser engraving machine play? We had the privilege of interviewing Chen Shiyi, the founder of Miaoli Hutzu Studio, to share with us the evolution and transformation of Miaoli’s traditional handmade paper.
Paper is an essential part of our daily lives. Have you ever wondered how the paper you use for writing and conveying messages is made? Chen Shiyi, founder of Hutzu Studio, discovered five traditional Miaoli crafts in need of preservation through the Youth Return to Miaoli Project: rush weaving, silk production, indigenous culture, rattan weaving, and handmade paper. While drafting the workshop plan, Chen, with a background in industrial design, became deeply fascinated by handmade paper. Merging environmental sustainability with the revival of traditional crafts, he proposed the Recycled Seed Planter Project, securing startup funding and paving the way for the creation of Hutzu Studio.
Chen Shiyi, who won the Recycled Seed Planter Project in the Youth Return to Miaoli Workshop, used the prize money to start his entrepreneurial journey. Hutzu Studio is a brand dedicated to the traditional craft of handmade paper. ‘Preserving Miaoli’s Dahu paper art and spreading it like dandelion seeds’ is the founding vision of Chen Shiyi. Besides accepting various custom handmade paper orders, he has designed a diverse range of handmade paper courses. Through these DIY experiences, he hopes to pass on this traditional Miaoli craft to the next generation, ensuring it thrives like dandelions. Since its inception, Hutzu Studio has continued Chen Shiyi’s commitment to environmental sustainability, launching numerous handmade paper products made from agricultural waste and recycled paper. Stay with us as we continue to explore the selection of raw materials and the processing of handmade paper.
Hand sheet paper was once a well-developed industry in the Miaoli area. In those days, it was primarily used to make ritual paper for ceremonies. Due to its strong absorbency, hand sheet paper was also used to create functional everyday items, such as cigarette lighting aids. Unlike factory-produced paper, hand sheet paper does not undergo bleaching and is 80% handmade. Chen Shiyi mentioned, ‘Handmade paper fibers are longer and more durable, while machine-made paper lacks fibers.’ He also emphasized the importance of selecting the right raw materials for hand sheet paper, stating that the plant fibers must be long, soft, and resilient. ‘These three qualities must coexist; fibers that are long but break easily are unsuitable for making paper.
In selecting materials, Chen Shiyi goes beyond traditional papermaking ingredients like Amomum villosum leaves, ginger lily, and loofah. To ensure a stable supply for custom orders, he realized the need for innovation: ‘I can’t just head to the mountains for plants whenever I get an order. Without materials, what can I do?’ So, he began seeking unique, pesticide-free agricultural waste from Miaoli. Chen explored local agricultural products, experimenting with straw from Toufen, Cyperus from Yuanli, and lemongrass from Sanyi, transforming agricultural waste into valuable resources. Additionally, he collects waste paper products like exam papers, red envelopes, and fast-food kraft paper bags from environmental communities on Facebook, inviting everyone to contribute to environmental protection. ‘I love the process of finding materials and aim to make the best use of them. It’s a 50/50 chance—either make it the best or don’t use it at all.’ This reflects Chen’s dedication and determination in choosing pulp materials, even when some, like taro skins, prove unsuitable due to their high starch content. For Chen, sourcing materials is a heartfelt journey of exploration, enjoyment, and enriching Miaoli. Through his continuous efforts, Hutzu Studio has gradually achieved brand differentiation and product innovation, carrying forward the spirit of traditional hand sheet paper craftsmanship.
Once the exquisite hand sheet paper is crafted, how can he maximize its value? Chen Shiyi noted, ‘In Taiwan, there are very few companies that use hand sheet paper for printing, or it’s rare to see people willing to use hand sheet paper for printing, so I see this as a market opportunity.’ He added, ‘Currently, my printing methods include hot stamping, ink printing, and laser engraving. We’ve made a variety of items, including calendars, wedding invitations, business cards, and tickets.’ Chen Shiyi receives diverse custom orders and has frequently collaborated with government projects, creating tickets and commemorative items from hand sheet paper for various events. For instance, for the 2023 Hakka Tung Blossom Festival organized by the Hakka Affairs Council, he designed a peace charm tag using hand sheet paper made from Amomum villosum fibers, paired with ink printing, crafted with exquisite precision and high commemorative value. ‘I even added a small pocket on the back of the peace charm so that visitors can put flower petals in it as a keepsake.’ Besides the Tung Blossom Festival, he also designed a cypress wood bookmark shaped like the CK101 steam train plate for the 2021 Taiwan Design Expo in Chiayi. Chen Shiyi is dedicated to enhancing hand sheet paper with aesthetic processing, telling the story of a region through his work, and highlighting the cultural heritage with the warmth of hand sheet paper.
“In addition to custom products, Chen Shiyi is dedicated to introducing the next generation to the art of hand sheet paper through interactive teaching experiences. He led 100 students from Miaoli Zhunan High School in creating bookmarks from recycled ritual paper, incorporating bamboo weaving, traditional Chinese symbols of Taoism god, and block printing to revive the old papermaking techniques. This course produced over a hundred unique bookmarks, allowing students to explore their creativity, learn papermaking skills, and appreciate the value of Miaoli’s traditional paper craft. Chen stated, ‘I hope to spark interest in Miaoli’s cultural heritage through engaging teaching methods and inspire more young people to enter this industry.’ Hutzu Studio has also introduced a laser cut DIY night lamp engraving course this year, aiming to make hand sheet paper lessons more captivating with digital tools. The studio plans to offer DIY night lamp kits, and interested readers can follow Hutzu Studio’s social media platforms for updates on sales and course information.”
When asked about the future of Hutzu Studio, Chen Shiyi shared, ‘My dream is to open a hand sheet paper boutique in Taipei, a haven where printers and designers can find the perfect hand sheet paper.’ He imagines a sanctuary for creators to exchange ideas and teach the art of hand sheet paper. Chen warmly invites creators and designers passionate about hand sheet paper to join the Hutzu Studio family, contributing to the preservation of this precious craft. Through Chen Shiyi’s unwavering dedication, Miaoli’s hand sheet paper tradition is blossoming anew in this modern era. He demonstrates that what cannot be replicated by mass production is the spirit of renewal and the invaluable legacy of heritage.
