How do you dye paper with tea or coffee?

Question

I am doing a project for my humanities class, and want to make the letter I must write looked aged. If I was to do this with coffee or tea, how much would I use? and how do you dry the paper? If anyone has experience with this, your advise would be helpful.

Answer 1

Thoroughly crinkle up the paper first then flatten out. Take a sponge and gently dab coffee or tea over the entire paper to get the desired affect. Use very weak coffee so it doesn't turn out too dark. Black tea may work better.

Soak edges more thoroughly with clear water then gently "pull" about half an inch from the edge with the sponge, pulling away from the center for a worn, ragged look.

Answer 2

I think that the crumpling and opening and crumpling is to soften the paper so that it accepts dye. Steep a couple of tea bags in hot or boiling water in a large bowl or pot. Let it cool a bit. Then put your paper into the bowl or pot. Use tongs to remove the paper so that you can check the color. When the paper is the color you want, remove it, let it dry, and then iron it. I'm not sure why this is a history project, but I'm sure that the method I've described will work.

Answer 3

You may start with a wet teabag. Slowly 'paint' on the paper. You should let it dry between coats and three to four coats should be enough. Paint differently so it doesn't come out uniform. Tearing the paper from corners and some edges would add to the impression of aging.