Handmade paper of about 300 g/sqm is cut to a size of about 60 x 80 cm and taken to the Pampas for the castração.
In the case of the bulls, where the marcação is done at the same time as the castração, the still hot iron is applied to the paper immediately after branding. The heat of the iron and remains of the burnt hide leave traces on the paper. As does the blood from the castrator’s knife that he wipes on the paper after having severed the testicles. Sometimes the gaúcho also leaves the imprint of his bloodstained hand on the white surface. The testicles are kept for further use in the project.
The procedure is the same for the castration of horses, except that the paper does not get branded. Here too, the testicles are kept for further use. This is easier with horse testicles since, in contrast to cattle testicles, they are not dedicated to being grilled and eaten as a delicacy. The branded sheets of paper and testicles are then transported to a printing workshop together with tail hair from the horses.
In order to assure better absorbance, the papers are moistened. The testicles are dissected into fine slices, arranged on the paper and then passed under high pressure through an etching press. The glandular tissue bonds well with the paper and dries perfectly. The horse prints reveal that the bond between paper and glandular tissue can easily be used to fix tail hairs without using any additives.