Altering Paper Techniques
By Sara Naumann

We love the latest twist in paper-crafting: altering paper. Whether it’s patterned or plain, cardstock or lightweight, you can personalize your papers with just a technique or two. Alter a pre-printed quote, tag or photo mat, or alter the entire background paper for a scrapbook page! Here are some ideas:

Distressing. Create an “aged” effect by crumpling, smoothing and sanding paper. Sanding crumpled paper enhances the crinkled lines for depth.

Tearing. Torn edges give a touch of softness to a project. One of our favorite techniques is to tear three strips of paper and layer them on top of a background sheet as a border. Tip: When you tear the paper, the piece you pull toward you will not have a white edge.

Inking. Add a bit of color from your rubber stamp inkpads with direct-to-paper techniques. “Direct-to-paper” simply means applying color from an inkpad directly onto your paper without a rubber stamp. Try these favorite methods:

Edging. Hold the paper in one hand and the inkpad in the other; run the inkpad along the edge of the paper. We love using ink on a torn edge, as we did for our patterned paper border.

Light application. Place paper flat on a work surface (place scrap paper underneath) and very lightly tap the inkpad on the paper. We did a light application along the border this quote. Tip: Some inkpads are “juicier” than others. Test them out on a piece of scrap paper so you know how much pressure to apply.

Heavy application. Place paper flat on work surface and skim the inkpad across the paper or press the inkpad to the paper. Tip: The amount of pressure you use is key in determining the outcome.

Tapping. Place paper flat on work surface. Tap the bristles of a stippling brush onto the inkpad. Hold the brush straight down and gently tap it onto the paper.

Sweeping. Tap the bristles of a stippling brush onto the inkpad. Hold the brush at a slight angle and sweep it across the area where you want color. Continue sweeping until you have the right amount of coverage.

Walnut ink. Walnut ink is a great way to add an aged or shabby chic look. It comes in crystal or liquid forms and can be applied in lots of ways:

Spattering. Dip the bristle ends of a stiff toothbrush into the ink, then pull your thumb lightly over the bristles.

Edging. Dip the tip of a sponge brush in ink, then dab it along the edge of your quote or paper.

Stippling. Tap the bristles in the ink, then dab the excess on a paper towel. Hold the brush straight up and down, then tap it gently on the surface.

Spritzing. Mix the crystals with water and put it in a small spray bottle, or purchase it premixed. Spray the ink onto your paper.

Brushing. Use a foam brush to apply the ink directly onto the paper.

Intrigued by altering? Give it a try! Once you discover the potential for customizing your paper, we have a feeling you’ll add it to your repertoire of paper crafting techniques!