Flax, one of the oldest cultivated plants, has been utilized since ancient times, primarily for the production of linen, with the earliest known use of flax dating back to ancient Egypt around 5000 BCE. The Egyptians valued flax for its fibers, which they spun and wove into linen, which was highly desirable due to its durability, lightness, and ability to be dyed easily. As a result, it was used extensively in clothing, household items, and burial shrouds.

One of the lesser-known but significant uses of flax was in the paper industry. Rags, derived from worn-out linen textiles, were the primary raw material for high-quality paper production since the 8th century. Linen paper (rag paper) is prized for its strength, durability, and fine texture.

Rag paper remained the standard until the 19th century, when wood pulp began to replace rags as the primary raw material due to its lower cost and greater availability. But wood paper lacks the quality, feel, and durability of rag paper.

Today, we continue the tradition of creating fine handmade rag papers at Seattle Papermaker, by processing linen and cotton rags using old world techniques from the 17th and 18th century.