Q&A for How to Make Paper Look Old

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  • Question
    How do you make paper look old without liquid?
    Nicole Bolin
    Crafts & DIY Specialist
    Nicole Bolin is a Crafting Specialist and the CEO of Stencil, a DIY Craft Studio in Phoenix, Arizona. Nicole specializes in interior design and various craft and DIY projects. Nicole holds a Certificate in Interior Design from the New York Institute of Art and Design. She opened Stencil in 2017 to teach others to create DIY projects that fit their home and lifestyle.
    Crafts & DIY Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Besides using tea and coffee, you can crumple the paper up and singe the edges to make it look old.
  • Question
    How do you make paper look old with fire?
    Nicole Bolin
    Crafts & DIY Specialist
    Nicole Bolin is a Crafting Specialist and the CEO of Stencil, a DIY Craft Studio in Phoenix, Arizona. Nicole specializes in interior design and various craft and DIY projects. Nicole holds a Certificate in Interior Design from the New York Institute of Art and Design. She opened Stencil in 2017 to teach others to create DIY projects that fit their home and lifestyle.
    Crafts & DIY Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Hold a flame to the edges of the paper and singe them. Keep the fire moving around the paper, not letting it linger in one spot, which might set the paper on fire. Be careful to only burn the edges.
  • Question
    What's the easiest method to make paper look old?
    Community Answer
    Mix one cup of water and one tablespoon of coffee and use a cotton ball to stain it. Let it dry and you are done.
  • Question
    Do I write on the paper before or after I make it look old?
    Community Answer
    Write on it after, as the water might smudge the ink. It will also help make it look more authentic.
  • Question
    If you will be doing writing on it, do you write on it before or after the coffee and burning?
    Community Answer
    It's probably best to write afterward, as the coffee can smudge the ink or lighten the lead on the paper.
  • Question
    Can I print on the paper after this process?
    Community Answer
    It all depends on which method you use and if it will run smoothly through a printer. If the paper is too wrinkled or torn at all it might get stuck in your printer.
  • Question
    Can I do the dirt method for just two or three days?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but the color and creases will most likely be lighter than you really want.
  • Question
    Will I be able to smell the tea or coffee on the paper and will it dissolve any printing on the paper?
    Community Answer
    There will be no smell if you oven bake it for long enough. All aromatic compounds are volatile, especially the stronger scent ones which works in our favor. However I do not know what effect baking paper(without combustion) for extended periods would look like as it would depend on how the paper was made etc. I do think highly fibrous paper would work best
  • Question
    Can I tea stain paper that already has pencil crayon or crayon on it?
    Community Answer
    You can tea stain paper with crayon on it, but it will not go through the crayon. It will probably also have a hard time going through the graphite from a pencil.
  • Question
    Will coffee work to make it yellow?
    Community Answer
    Coffee turns the paper brown. For yellow, I recommend taking a cup of water and mixing brown and yellow paint into it. Brush this solution onto the paper using a paint brush. Let it dry. This will probably have a better "yellowing" effect than using coffee.
  • Question
    How can I keep my writing from bleeding?
    Community Answer
    Once your paper has dried after completing the steps in the guide, it should be fine to write on without fear of bleeding.
  • Question
    I have written on a bit of white paper with felt tip and want to cover it in dirt without having to wait several days. How would I do this?
    Community Answer
    You could find some soil, add a bit of water so that it is moist (not so wet that is mud) and smear it evenly across your page. Then, wipe away the excess debris and wait for it to dry. After it has dried, crumple it.
  • Question
    Can I print on the paper after making it look old?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you may print on the paper if it is dry.
  • Question
    I am trying to make newspaper look old. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Try to put coffee (maybe 1/2 fl. oz.) and paint it onto the newspaper. Spread it out well to not smudge any ink. Let it cook above a toaster.
  • Question
    How long should I blow dry it?
    Community Answer
    You should blow dry your paper until the edges are curled and the paper is dry to the touch.
  • Question
    Are there any other ways to simply make it another color?
    Community Answer
    Yes. You can pour a mixture of food coloring and water and then dry it. For example; a little bit of red food coloring and water can make the paper pink.
  • Question
    Do I write on the paper before or after the process for the coffee painting method?
    Community Answer
    Write afterwards to avoid making the ink bleed.
  • Question
    Can I make paper look old if it's typed and printed off the computer?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can still use the techniques listed above.
  • Question
    Is it possible to fade the color of the paper?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the paper you use. Construction paper will fade if you crumble it up and then flatten it out with a ruler (you will have to repeat this many times). You can also try leaving the paper out in the sun for several days.
  • Question
    If I use these methods on paper that has ink on it already, will the ink get smeared or deformed?
    Community Answer
    It depends on what type of ink is on it and how long it has been there. It won't smear if you don't add a liquid to it.
  • Question
    Can I do the tea process if the paper already has a printed text?
    Community Answer
    If the ink has properly and fully dried, it should be safe to continue with the tea process.
  • Question
    What can I use instead of a spray bottle?
    Community Answer
    You could just sprinkle the water/liquid over the paper with your hands or dab it on gently with a paintbrush.
  • Question
    How long do I leave the page in the oven if I use the cooking method?
    Community Answer
    You should bake your paper for seven to eight minutes, or until the ends start to curl and it changes color.
  • Question
    Which is best, iced tea or hot tea?
    Community Answer
    Hot tea would be best for a darker stain. I think iced tea would be too light.
  • Question
    Is the option for putting the paper in the oven safe?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you are just drying the paper in the oven. As long as you watch the paper and take it out when it begins to curl, there should be no problem.
  • Question
    What is the time range for leaving the paper in tea and coffee for different results?
    Community Answer
    The more you leave it on the darker it gets, just make sure you don't leave it for too long are else the paper will disintegrate.
  • Question
    Could I use paint instead of coffee for a quicker result?
    Community Answer
    Yes, if desired. But, you will be trading quality for speed, as using the methods in the article will make it look much more authentic.
  • Question
    What would happen if I typed the stuff out then did the tea/coffee method?
    Community Answer
    If you crunch the paper in a ball and soak it in a cup of tea, the writing will smudge, but if you only spray or paint the tea/coffee on, it could work.
  • Question
    Can I fold the paper after staining?
    Pyti
    Community Answer
    Yes, folding the paper will do no harm, as long as you allow it to dry before you fold.
  • Question
    What can I do if I already wrote on it?
    Community Answer
    You can trace over it in pen or in pencil. Tracing over it in a ballpoint pen would be better.
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