Whether you're trying to decorate your creation or write a poem on a better medium than a regular A4 sheet, you definitely can't help but age the paper. You have several methods available. Many are found on the Internet, among which crumpling and moistening is undoubtedly the most suitable. However, if you can't get it the look you want, try dyeing it and putting it in the oven, using fire and heat, or burying it to make it look older and weathered.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Crumple and Moisten
Step 1. Crumple the paper
Take a piece of paper and ball it up. The more wrinkled it will be, the more creases it will have.
Step 2. Unfold it and sprinkle it with water, tea or coffee
After spreading it out, fill a spray bottle with the liquid of your choice, then spray it on the paper to moisten it and give it the stains and color you are trying to achieve.
Please note that the final effect will depend on the liquid you are using. The water will not dye the paper, but it will allow you to change its texture. The tea will give it a slightly brown color, the coffee a darker tint
Step 3. Ruin the paper
Once moistened, it will be easier to shape it. Try tearing off the edges, punching small holes with your nails, or making tiny creases. This damage will simulate deterioration due to the passage of time. The more visible they are, the older the sheet will look.
If you want to create deeper, darker creases, crumple the moistened page again. Be careful not to fold it in half
Step 4. Spread the paper out to dry
Place it on a flat surface, such as a kitchen counter or table. It will dry completely within a few hours.
Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer to speed up this process
Method 2 of 4: Dye and Place in the Oven
Step 1. Choose a coloring liquid and apply it
To age a sheet of paper, you can use coffee to darken it, or use tea if you want a lighter shade. You can also change the color concentration during the liquid preparation process of your choice.
- If you use coffee, try to play with the intensity of the color by increasing or decreasing the doses.
- If you prefer tea, the final result will depend on how long you leave the tea to infuse. The longer it stays in the water, the darker the color you get, and vice versa.
- Let the liquid cool before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2. Place the foil on a baking sheet
Make sure it fits snugly, taking care not to let it protrude from the edges.
Step 3. Preheat the oven to 90 ° C
In this way it will have reached the temperature you want when the sheet to be treated is ready.
Step 4. Pour the coloring liquid onto the pan
Start from one corner, avoiding pouring it directly onto the coloring page. Use enough to cover the paper with a thin layer. Don't worry if it spreads underneath, as it will still be absorbed.
Step 5. Apply the coffee or tea with a sponge brush
At this point, if you want to make interesting motifs, you have to use your creativity. For example, you can spread the coloring liquid evenly all over the paper if you want it to look more even. Otherwise, try pouring it in order to get more vivid and noticeable contrasts.
If you want more pronounced stains, you can sprinkle the coffee grounds, leaving them for a few minutes on the page to be treated
Step 6. Remove excess liquid with a paper towel
Prevent it from stagnating on the sheet and on the baking sheet. You don't have to let the coloring page dry completely, just get rid of the liquid that isn't absorbed.
Step 7. Change the look of the page
Before putting everything in the oven, you can further touch up the sheet when it is still wet and easy to handle, so that it looks older. Tear off a thin, uneven strip along the edge or drill small holes with your fingernails. You can also wrinkle the outline of the holes, make tiny balls, and move them to other parts of the page if you want it to have a rougher, parchment-like appearance. Also, try pressing an object, such as a fork, to leave marks.
Step 8. Place the pan in the oven for 4-7 minutes
The ideal is to put it in the center of the oven. Keep an eye on the card during this phase. It will be ready when the edges begin to curl. The time it takes depends on the oven you are using.
Step 9. Remove the paper and let it cool
Take the pan with an oven mitt. Wait 10-15 minutes for the paper to cool down before writing anything.
Method 3 of 4: Using Fire and Heat
Step 1. Hold the paper over the sink
This position is important because if the paper catches fire accidentally, you can drop it into the sink and turn on the tap. If you follow this method, you will need to write and adorn the paper once the aging process is complete, so as not to risk burning some of the text if the flame is too strong.
Step 2. Get a candle or lighter
The effectiveness is the same, no matter which combustion tool you choose. So, use whichever you prefer. Avoid butane lighters as they produce a flame that is too intense for this type of operation.
Step 3. Bring the flame along the edges of the page
Hold it about 1-2 cm from the paper and move it back and forth along the perimeter of the paper. It will become darker, looking very old, as if damaged by time and weather. Don't leave it on one spot for too long.
- Limit your exposure to the heat source, otherwise the sheet could catch fire.
- When moving the flame along the edges of the page, be sure to keep it away from your hand to avoid burning yourself.
Step 4. Make small spots on the paper
If you wish to deteriorate it further, you can burn it until you have small holes. Place the flame about 2-3 cm away, but this time holding it steady. Watch out for spots that form as it darkens. Once you reach the desired color, remove it from the heat.
- If you want to make tiny holes, leave the page on the flame a little longer. Under the effect of heat it will burn forming a small tongue of fire. Don't hesitate to blow as soon as you see it.
- If the paper ignites faster than it blows, drop it into the sink and turn on the water.
Method 4 of 4: Bury the Sheet
Step 1. Dig a hole
The depth should not exceed the diameter of a tennis ball, so you won't be forced to ruin your garden unnecessarily.
Step 2. Ball up the paper and put it in the hole
Sprinkle some water on it (no more than 60ml). You can also rub a handful of soil before moistening it. The mud will smear it more easily.
Step 3. Bury it
Make sure it's completely covered. Over time the land will damage and deteriorate the paper, so it needs to completely surround the page.
Step 4. Wait 3 to 14 days
The wait depends on what appearance you intend to give the card.
Advice
- The paper will look older and more sophisticated if you burn it while it is still damp.
- Try the flame method on another sheet of paper before using it on the final one.
- Avoid over-soaking the sheet with the coloring liquid, otherwise it may tear.
- If you want to create dark creases on your paper, fold it before dipping it in liquid or spraying it.
- If you have decided to use coffee to age the paper, add a few glasses of red wine. The density of the two substances is different, so the coffee will stain the larger spaces, while the wine will color the small folds. This way you will get a very antique effect.
- Treat the paper with clear lacquer once it is dry to better finish your work.
- Please feel free to combine the methods described in this article. For example, you could dye the paper, place it in the oven, and bury it for a few days.
Warnings
- If you are using the coloring liquid, do not wet several sheets at the same time, otherwise they will stick together. Moisten them individually, using the same substance.
- Don't let the paper soak for too long, or it will begin to unravel.
- Do not bring the sheet too close to the flame or it will catch fire.
- If the page has text written in ink, do not immerse it in the coloring liquid, otherwise the ink will melt and become unreadable. Use a ballpoint pen or pencil.
- If you are under 18, ask an adult to help you when using fire.
