Paper Maché, also called Papier Mache is a form of sculpture as well as a paper craft. It is a process of glueing layers of paper over a supporting frame before drying to a light weight sculptural item.

Papier Mache is a the French word for 'chewed-up paper'

A paper maché item is constructed using strips of thin absorbent paper (often old newspapers) soaked briefly in water and then in a mixture of glue, such as a simple flour paste or wallpaper glue. For a glue recipe see: Paper Mache Paste. The strips of paper are layered over each other in a crisscross direction over a wire frame or supporting object such as a balloon. The item becomes solid once the paste dries.

Paper maché is great fun, cheap and easy to do, as a form of sculpture is also has the advantage that it is also lightweight. Once dry the paper surface can be painted and sealed with varnish and will become quite strong and resistant to damage.

Traditionally items such as masquerade mask's, character costumes and hand puppets are a made out of Paper Maché.