Twinrocker Handmade Paper, founded in 1971 in Brookston, Indiana, is the pioneering institution that catalyzed the modern American hand-papermaking revival movement. For over five decades, the workshop has served as the primary material supplier to the continent''s most prestigious museum conservation departments, master printmakers, and university fine arts programs. Twinrocker''s manufacturing c
Pioneering American handmade paper mill founded in 1971 by Kathryn and Howard Clark, based in Brookston, Indiana. America's first contemporary handmade paper studio with 50+ year legacy. Produces fine art papers using traditional European and Asian techniques adapted to American materials. Serves artists, printmakers, bookbinders, and conservators worldwide.
Core Business Areas
Handmade watercolour papers, printmaking papers, drawing papers, custom artist book papers, bespoke commissioned papers with specific fibers/colors/textures/watermarks, conservation-grade archival papers, limited edition art papers. American craft movement heritage with traditional European and Asian papermaking adaptations.
<p><b>Twinrocker Handmade Paper, founded in 1971 in Brookston, Indiana, is America's first and most respected contemporary handmade paper mill.</b> Founded by Kathryn and Howard Clark, Twinrocker pioneered the revival of handmade papermaking in the United States and has been producing fine art papers for over 50 years. The company operates from a dedicated studio facility and serves artists, printmakers, bookbinders, and conservators worldwide.</p>
<p>Twinrocker produces papers using traditional European and Asian techniques adapted to American materials and aesthetics. Products include watercolour papers, printmaking papers, drawing papers, and custom papers for artists' books and limited editions. The company is particularly noted for its custom papermaking service, creating bespoke papers with specific fiber compositions, colors, textures, and watermarks for individual artists and special projects. Twinrocker's papers are distinguished by their exceptional surface quality and archival permanence, achieved through careful fiber selection and traditional processing methods.</p>
<p><b>Strengths:</b> <b>pioneer of American handmade papermaking:</b> Pioneer and standard-bearer for American handmade papermaking with 50+ year legacy; <b>highly respected by artists:</b> highly respected by artists and conservators for exceptional quality; <b>unique bespoke custom papermaking:</b> unique custom papermaking capabilities for bespoke artist projects; <b>American craft movement identity:</b> strong brand identity rooted in American craft movement history</p>
<p><b>Weaknesses:</b> <b>very small artisan scale:</b> Very small artisan scale limits production volume and revenue; <b>dependence on aging founders:</b> dependence on aging founders' expertise and vision; <b>limited distribution outside professionals:</b> limited distribution outside professional artist and conservator networks; <b>premium fiber cost vulnerability:</b> vulnerability to rising raw material costs for premium fibers</p>
VerityRank Score
80/ 100
Based on market presence, financial scale, operational capacity, and brand strength.
Quick Facts
Headquarters
Brookston, Indiana, USA
Founded
1971
Employees
~5–10
Revenue
N/A (micro-scale, academic supply)
Factories
1 artisan workshop (Brookston, Indiana)
Listing
Privately held — Artist-founded and family-operated studio. Pioneer of American contemporary handmade papermaking since 1971. Not publicly traded.
Categories
Handmade Artisan Papers ManufacturersArt & Painting PapersTraditional Calligraphy & Painting PapersPaper Art & Cultural DerivativesPlant Fiber Art PapersDecorative & Craft Specialty Papers