Fibres are separated and wetted to make the paper pulp. The pulp is then filtered on a woven screen to form a sheet of fibre, which is pressed to squeeze out as much water as possible. The water that is left evaporates, and the dry sheet is pressed further to make the paper flat. Although wood has become the major source of fibre for papermaking, rag fibres are still used to make the strongest paper. Recycled wastepaper is another important source.
Some shiny paper is made from synthetic fibres.