Handmade paper from Florence.............the process?
 

On our trip to Tuscany this fall, I purchased 3 boxes of notecards in a Florence shop. They are handmade paper, but I am hoping to find out more info. about the process. There was some communication barrier between myself and the shopkeeper. I am under the impression that the design on the paper is applied by hand, as opposed to factory machines. Does this sound correct? And, are the designs stenciled or what? The notecards are Christmas gifts for family and I would like to be able to enlighten the recipients about handmade Florentine paper. Thanks to anyone who can help me out with this. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Unfortunately, it is not hugely informative, but this is the Web site of Pineider, probably the most famous stationers in Florence:

http://www.pineider.com/movieeng.htm

Giannini e Figlio, in the Oltrarno, has just as long, or even longer, a history, but they don't seem to have a Web site.

My "Italian" daughter took a class in book binding & paper making in Siena and she might be able to answer this question for you if you could wait a few days (she's finishing finals this week and will be through on Mon.).

Eloise, thanks a lot for your efforts, but the Pineider site didn't really answer my questions so, artlover, I would appreciate any info. your daughter might have for me. Thank you both. I just want a little something to tell my family members who receive the notecards.

RSTravelers,
DD asked me to ask you if it's marbled paper?