Tea staing recipies (but using coffee)?

Question

Any know how I can do it, or where I can find it? I doing a newspaper project in History and tea staing is part of it (to make it look old)

Answer 1

I am assuming you are staining paper. Make a strong cup of tea and add sugar (sugar sets the stain). Take some of that and add lemon (this will give you some variation).

Start with some practice sheets. Since I don't know your paper, do several experiments. First, dampen your paper (so there is not too much absorption) and with a soft rag lightly dab and drag your stain into the paper. Do this with both teas so you can see any variances. Dab on more tea randomly for shading and texture. Second, do the same technique on dry paper. Aged paper will be darker on the edges, so add some more/deeper color around the edges. Aged paper will also be yellowish, so if the lemon doesn't add enough yellow, you can cheat by adding the weeist bit of yellow food coloring (and I do mean wee bit -- a little goes a long way).

Answer 2

Boil a tea bag in a pyrex jug in the microwave, use a clean paintbrush, and paint on the paper until you get the desired effect. Tea is generally better than coffee, as it is more realistic.
If too strong wipe immediately with a damp sponge.

Answer 3

If you have old papers it should not be too hard to experiment until you get the right strength. just practice on them.