|
|
The idea for this project came while I was searching for a picture for another post. I had written a post about Classical Music for Halloween, and wanted to find the perfect graphic to go with it. I had it pictured in my head (which is how most of my ridiculous projects start)… a stack of old sheet music from one of my recommendations.
Well, I couldn’t find anything that came close. So I decided to make my own (and take a picture of it). The following is the process I used to make my paper look old. You can use this paper aging technique to make old sheet music of your own, or try it for parchment invitations, a pirate treasure map, scrapbooking, or stationary. Have fun with it!
What you will need:
- Strong tea or coffee, cold
- Paper to be aged
- Cookie sheet
- Oven
- Instant coffee (optional)
How to Age your Paper:
- You want to print or write anything on your paper BEFORE you age it.
- Preheat oven to 200°.
- Place the paper on a cookie sheet (I use an old one)
- Pour tea/coffee over the paper until the entire sheet is covered, make sure it soaks in on both side.
- If you want darker spots on the paper, sprinkle instant coffee on the paper and let it sit on the paper. Wipe it off after a few minutes.
- Rub your finger around the edge of the paper to wear the edges.
- Place the cookie sheet and paper in the oven for about 6 minutes until dry.
- Gently loosen the the paper from the cookie sheet with a fork. Be careful, it will be hot!
Additional tips:
- If your paper smells too much like coffee and not the authentic “old paper” scent you want, stick the sheets in a box with some mothballs for a day or two.
- Experiment with different colors to achieve the look you want; coffee will turn the paper a darker brown, tea will be lighter.
- You can also wear holes in the middle of the sheet by rubbing it with your finger.
- You can let the paper air dry, but weight the edges or the paper will curl.
- I have also heard good things about Walnut Ink Antiquing Solution, just spray it on your paper to give it an old look. (It is inexpensive too)
What’s Next?
If you like this article, I’d appreciate your sharing this by voting for it on DIGG, Stumble, Shoutwire, deli.cio.us and other great sharing sites.
Print This Post
will you still be able to wright on it after ur done
Thank you had to make this for a project in History and Got an A+ with 10 points of extra credit
hey where do i put the paper when it is still hot and just came out of the oven?
Will you be able to fold the paper afterwards?
After you soak it in the tea do you take the tea out then put it in the oven or do you keep it in the tea while in the oven?
[...] Props – Your prop will be used once, set aside, and hopefully remembered fondly; don’t spend too much on them. I find cheap props at craft stores, the cheaper toy stores, and dollar stores (but remember to wash the lead off first). And you’d be amazed at what you can do with tea and instant coffee. [...]
[...] It’s easy to make the parchment look, tho. The main part is called "tea staining." How to make paper look old by aging it with tea | mevsthehouse.com __________________ I’m a Halloween Bride! 10/31/2002 Where there is no imagination there is no [...]
Thanks so much Kathleen! I used this technique for a paper I was writing (I was supposed to be writing a letter in ancient times). I got an A+ much credit due to you! The only thing I would have to say is that once I took it out of the oven it still wasn’t dry so a hairdryer helped out a lot. Thanks!
hey what do i do after i pour the tea into the pan. do i take it out or do i leave it in when i put it in the oven
If you write on the paper before, will the ink smear or smudge?
hi, Kathleen thanks you so much for the idea ya its realy working once again thanks
stephen
Preetttty coool….. I put quite ALot of coffeee so I put it in the oven 4 a longer time…..
Hello, Thanks for the great tip! I recently received an email containing what each starsign means and I really liked it so I copied and pasted the text from the email, changed the lettering to an old fashioned style, printed, and used the coffee staining trick to make the paper look old. I then framed them and they made great presents for friends! It has given me more ideas too.
do i have to but the paper in the oven?
thank you soo much! i was really stuck on how to make paper look old and i found this. it really helped for a school project.
Thanx much!!! When I took it out of the oven, it was completely dry, but, unfortunately, it fell in water that was in the sink. I didn’t want to put it in the oven, so I put it in the microwave for just and minute and… viola! It was perfectly dry!
thank you very much, This was very helpful.
can you use this method on on a paper that you typed on?
Take the tea/coffee out of the pan before you put it in the oven.
Thanks so much for these steps. They are very helpful. I added a few of my own knowledge but it was good.
Does this stay permanitly or will it come off? and im very excited to try this!!!!
that a great i idea if iwas you i would write on it last
thats excellent i should try that. lol !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[...] Here is how you make a piece of paper look old. How to make paper look old by aging it with tea | mevsthehouse.com [...]
Are you able to fold the paper or roll it after it’s been baked? I think it looks great!
[...] at Me vs the House, learn how-to use ordinary tea to age [...]
[...] at Me vs the House, learn how-to use ordinary tea to age [...]
It really didnt work hur hur duh duh cracka stewy is poopy
I like crackers huh huh huh dur dur dur dur l like it good haha shut up no yes no yes poop poop stop it joe bob fart
i like dollies haha rockn roll lol roll over haha bob fart stop it joe and ty no yes no yes bob fart hahahahahahahahhahahahhahaha lol!!!!!!!
Add A Comment