Use of strips in paper mache allows for a variety of different layers in a project. Strips can be as large or as small as the artist requires. Plus, strips can be torn straight from the page. The tears of the paper facilitate adherence of the paper to the glue and help to create a seamless appearance over the project.
Paper products that have a high rate of accumulation and a low lifespan are great sources of paper for strip-based paper mache projects. Newspapers, phonebooks and gift wrap tissue are made of a very thin, onion-skin type of paper useful for the many under layers of a paper mache project. Strips of this paper can be used as base or middle layers, but will not hold up well as a top layer under paint.
Wrapping paper, copier paper and magazine pages are often made of a sturdier paper than newspapers and wrapping tissue, but are more durable. Tearing these items into strips can do more for your paper mache than just fill in some layers. You may use these paper types for all layers of the project or also use them to create a collage-look to your paper mache structure. If painting your mache project, use this type of paper as the final layer.
Old notes and envelopes from bills are worthy of turning into paper mache strips once their purpose has been served. Remove the plastic window from bill envelopes before tearing into strips and layering.
Tear brown paper grocery sacks into strips if the sack is no longer useable for carrying groceries. This durable paper serves well as a final layer before painting. Paper towels can also be ripped to strips for use as thicker layers. Use of both of these paper types will create thick layers and shorten time spent layering.