Q&A for How to Make Newspaper Nails

Yes. You can use water instead, but it leaves a lighter lettering on the nail. For a more intense lettering, use alcohol.

No, they are not hard to remove. You can remove them with regular nail polish remover.

That can be easier to work with, yes. You don't have to cut it though, you can just rip it into pieces if you like. The shape doesn't have to fit your nails.

Not if the magazine is made with glossy sheets.

That's not necessary, and it may even make the paper harder to handle. Dry paper will be easier to work with, and is less likely to stick to itself.

It's not recommended. The ink in pictures get smudged easily, and it does not give a clear nail art impression.

Newspaper works best for making newspaper nails. The ink is soluble in alcohol, that's what makes this work. Other combinations of ink and paper will not produce the same results.

No, you won't be able to read the paper anymore after you use it, as the ink will have been transferred to your nails. It might be a good idea to read the paper first.

Yes, however the lettering may be harder to see than that on white polish, but it will still work.

Yes. As long as it contains some form of alcohol or acetone, then it should work.

If the paper is thin and the ink will come onto water then, yes. This is not recommended, however, as it tends not to work.

No. Unfortunately, this technique only works on newspaper or other thin papers (like the pages of paperback books).

You don't have to use a top coat at all, it just prevents the polish from chipping and preserves your design longer. You could also just use a clear polish.

I would recommend maybe 15-20 minutes, longer if you want to be on the safe side.

Yes. But because pictures and comics still use ink, be careful not to put too much or too little alcohol or the ink with smudge.

No. Wait for it to dry or else it will make the newspaper stick to the nail and make the nail polish come off with it.

It should come off as easily as normal nail polish, as it is put on top of a base coat.

You can put the newspaper on your bare nails but it's not a good idea. The light polish will help you to see the inking and lettering.

They will not transfer like the newspaper will, but you can put the tape on your nails as a cute design and then finish off your nails with a top coat.

Yes! You need a top coat as a seal over the ink or the ink from the paper will just wash off.

Yes, but it won't be nearly as intense.

Colored newspaper photos can be used in this design, too! I really like to use faces from the cartoon section instead of the actual print.

Any type of perfume or mist that contains alcohol or try liquid polish remover.

Yes, you do, although you can use any lightly colored nail polish.

It's not exactly the same, but you can use it as well for similar results.

You'll need to get one, or else the ink from the paper will smudge and wash off.

Unfortunately, there's no way to make the print transfer completely. This look is meant to be a bit faint, like old newspaper.

No, your nails don't have to be long, but they have to have some length to have enough room for the design.

Yes, whatever backward image you would see in the mirror is what will be on your nails.

It might smudge if you don't let it dry a little. If it does, you can wash it off with some warm water and some mild soap.