How do I make a paper look ancient?

Question

DO I burn it? I heard coffee works but what do I do?

Answer 1

You can burn the paper to make it look older. It really does depend on what type of paper you plan on using. For an authentic looking older type of paper, do not leave it perfectly symmetrical.
Most paper doesn't have to be soaked in a bath of tea, coffee, stain, thinned paint--simply rubbing the entire surface down in which ever liquid that you're using and allowing to dry should suffice. This method is quicker than totally saturating the paper, plus it is easier to control the outcome. ( It is easier to start off with a lighter stain and add layers to go darker than it is to lighten a stain that is too dark.) Plus, you only have to allow the surface to dry, you aren't waiting for the entire sheet to dry out.

Answer 2

Hey Olivija,

Coffee might work. What people have said for years is take a good quality parchment paper and dip it in tea. Let it dry, and it will look old.

Boil water and make black tea.
Get a container that is a little bigger than the piece of paper you are using, like a 9x13 baking pan.
Pour about 1/4 inch of tea into the bottom of the container.
Put your piece of paper into the tea. Gently sink it to make sure all of the paper is under the tea. (You can also brush the tea onto the paper with a paintbrush.)
Keep the paper in the tea for about 10 seconds. Don't let it sit too long or it will become soggy and hard to handle.
Take the paper out of the tea and put it on a towel to blot off the excess.
Let the paper dry on a flat surface. It may curl a bit which only adds to the old look.

Answer 3

It depends on what kind of paper you are using. It's going to look different on thinner paper and thicker paper.
First I would make a vat of some coffee, or tea (tea works also) The best product will probably come if you soak the paper for an hour or so. You're going to have to experiment. Experiment before you work on the final project.
If your paper falls apart in the soaking process, try and paint on the coffee or tea.
Again it all comes with experimentation. I would try to soak it in different concentrations of the coffe and tea.

If you burn the edges it can look cool... but it doesn't necessarely make it look old... it makes it look like the edges were burned. I would try this out on a practice sheet of paper to see you like it.

Answer 4

Use a papertowel and lightly rub tea or coffee on the paper - then place the paper over a lamp. Flip it after about 10 minutes - repeat until you get the look you want

Answer 5

First, wash the bleach out of it. Most old paper doesn't contain bleach.
Lay the paper flat in a tray, and wet it. The paper absorbs the moisture, becoming soggy. Bleach is diluted into the water.
Put the tray in a sunny area, and let the water evaporate.

If you are going to try coffee, make it very weak (diluted) to start with.

Answer 6

Use the coffee or tea as a dye. Burning is not necessary. It all depends on the purported history of the paper.

Answer 7

For burning the edges, it helps to use a lit (but not flaming) incense stick or cigarette rather than directly applying a lighter or match to the paper. You have more control of the burn and less risk of catching the whole sheet on fire. (trust me on this one)

Answer 8

first put paper in cofee and let it dry completly then try to burn the sides a little with low heat, dont put the whole side in the heat.. when u see little flames pat it w/ a napkin or hand.. good luk.

Answer 9

Burn the edges (WITH AN ADULT!!!) and crumble it. You can also tea bag it, but hot chocolate works better.

Answer 10

wait for a million years! that always works.