Q&A for How to Make Flash Paper

You can mix up however much acid you need to soak however many papers as you want, just be sure to get the 5:4 proportion of acid right.

No, because paper prepared by this method must be as thin and light as possible.

Fuming or strong means the highest concentration possible. Less concentrated acids won't produce the desired result.

In a Chemical shop, but one must have permission or be authorized to buy such chemicals in most places.

Flash paper can be held with your fingers but not held the whole time. You only hold it for a split second.

No, this is not likely. The chemicals in the paint might react with the acids, causing an unwanted effect. Painting after the bath might cause the paint to interfere with the combustion, though it might still burn normally.

No because while the fingers will cause friction, the only reaction you'll get is paper.

Body heat provides a lot of heat but rather slowly. If you can get two or three people together in the same room, you can normally get one or two chunks of paper to light.

It may be unwise to combine too many of these sheets of paper. They contain their own oxidizer and can detonate just like black powder under the right conditions. The thinness of the sheets is what leads to the flash effect. If attempting, try compressing the sheets while they are still wet. It will aid in them "sticking together." But make the first lighting a safe one. Use long tongs or find a way to ignite it as far from your body as possible until you know what the reaction will be.

No, because transfer paper is usually coated with wax, which may interfere with the acid reaction.