Welcome to
Lessebo handpaper mill
A trademark for genuine craftsmanship and quality paper
Lessebo Paper Mill was established in 1693, and before then there were ironworks at the site. As the navy base in Karskrona eventually required cartridge paper, manufacture in Lessebo switched to paper. In 1697 the first writing paper carrying a watermark, in the shape of a mirrored monogram, was produced for the local market. In 1719 the paper mill received its charter from the National Board of Trade, which provided an official licence to produce paper. The mill acquired a paper machine in 1836, and industrial paper production commenced. At this stage the business split into two branches; one factory for industrially manufactured paper, and one hand paper mill.
To this day, several types of water colour paper, as well as writing paper, are produced in different formats for a variety of purposes and areas of use. Writing paper with traditional watermarks for our own products, as well as customised watermarks with images and brands owned by various companies and organisations, are also produced.
After a hiatus of over a year, the hand paper mill was purchased by its current owners in 2019. Through the fully owned subsidiary, Bildningsbruket AB, an opportunity for Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan to take over the hand paper mill arose, including the rights to use the brand as well as organising the activities at the site.
Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan aims to protect and safeguard the cultural heritage of Lessebo Hand Paper Mill. The various forms of the craft will be preserved and developed for future generations through local collaboration. The mill will be a place for culture and education to meet. The commercial production of paper is still the foundation for the hand paper mill, together with further development of the opportunities for visitors to experience this cultural heritage. Fortunately, the papermakers who previously had worked at the hand paper mill could be re-employed as Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan Kronoberg restarted activities at the mill in the autumn of 2019. This means they can now carry on with their solid craft, and new apprentices can be introduced in order to safeguard the future of this craft.
