If you're working on a vintage project, aging paper with tea is a great craft.It is easy to make your paper look like it has been around for a long time.For a more subtle look, you can use tea bags or soak the paper for a darker effect.You can either air-dry the paper or bake it in the oven after applying the tea.
Step 1: Place the tea bags in the mug.
The amount of tea you use depends on how much you want to dye your paper.If you're only going to do a few sips of tea, you might be able to use one bag for several sheets of paper.You might need 2 tea bags for each sheet if you want a very dark finish.You could end up with a nasty burn if you use a cup that isn't intended for hot beverages.Plastic or metal cups aren't meant to hold boiling water, so stick to a coffee or tea cup.
Step 2: Water can be poured into a tea kettle or a small pot.
It's better to start with more than you need since the water will evaporate as it cooks.If you will be making multiple mugs of tea at the same time, make sure you have enough water for each mug.
Step 3: The water should be boiled on the stove.
The water needs to be hot in order to get the tea out of the bag.When it's boiling, you'll see bubbles on the surface of the water if you use a pot.When the water is ready, you'll hear a high-pitched whistle.When working with boiling water, be careful.If the pot you're using has a metal handle, use a pot holder to move it so you don't burn yourself, and be very careful not to spill any on your skin.If you're a kid, ask an adult to help you boil the water.If you want to boil the water in the microwave, be sure to use a microwave-safe dish and place a popsicle stick into it so it doesn't get super-heated and explode.
Step 4: Allow the tea to steep for about 5 minutes after pouring the hot water over it.
Carefully pour the hot water into the mug.You might accidentally spill boiling water on yourself if you get the mug too full.Wait about 5 minutes for the tea to brew, or until the water turns the color you want.The space at the top of the mug should be left about 1–2 in.If you want to get a dark color, use 2 tea bags in the mug at the same time.One bag is fine if you want a lighter color.
Step 5: If you want to write something on the paper, print it.
If you stain the paper, it won't accept ink evenly, so anything you try to write on it will look messy.Before you do anything else, it's best to write, draw, or print what you want on the paper.The ink should be dry so it doesn't run.Any paper will work for this, from plain white copy paper to heavier paper used for painting.The result might take longer to dry if the papers are thick.When it's wet, some inks are more likely to run than others.It's possible to use a laser printer or waterproof ink.Try not to rub the paper when you add the tea.Hopefully this will help.If you like it, you can lightly crumple the paper.The paper will look like it has been shuffled around for a long time.Remove the edges of the paper to make it look more worn.
Step 6: The paper should be placed on a baking sheet.
The raised rim of the baking sheet will keep the tea from spilling over the sides.The paper you use should be bigger than the baking sheet.If you're using an 8.5 in 11 in sheet of paper, a 9 in 13 in baking sheet would be perfect.It's important to protect your work surface from tea stains.You can lay trash bags on your work surface if you don't have a baking sheet.
Step 7: There is a tea bag over the paper.
Place the tea bag by the top on the paper.Continue until you've covered all the paper you want.If the tea bag starts to get wet, you can dip it in the mug of tea.Whether you want to cover the whole page or just a few areas is up to you.Don't worry about getting a perfect application.The paper will look better if it is not discolored.Try to get the tea on the paper.You can use a paintbrush, a straw, or even your fingers to create different effects.
Step 8: To stain the other side, flip the paper over.
If you apply the tea to both sides of the paper, the aging effect will look more authentic.Your page will look darker once it is finished.
Step 9: If you want the paper to be more yellow, sprinkle the page with turmeric.
Adding a light coat of the spices will help yellow the tea.Rub the tea with your fingers.
Step 10: Coffee can make the paper more brown.
If you want your paper to look like it has been exposed to the elements, you can either soak it in coffee or sprinkle some coffee grounds over it.To help them stick to the paper, Rub the coffee grounds into the tea.The effect will not be as dramatic because of the loose tea leaves.If you want, you can break one of the tea bags.After the paper is dry, you can remove the excess coffee grounds.
Step 11: Remove excess tea with paper towels.
Make sure there is no pooling of water on the page or the baking sheet.This will help prevent the paper from curling in the oven.
Step 12: If you aren't in a hurry, air-dry the paper for 24 hours.
If you prefer, you can air-dry the paper while baking it.Place your baking sheet in an area with lots of air circulation.The paper may become brittle if it is dry in the sun.To air-dry the paper, give it about 24 hours.
Step 13: If you want to dry the paper quickly, preheat the oven.
You can finish your project the same day you start it if you bake the paper.The paper will become brittle if you bake it too quickly, so it's important to use the lowest heat possible.
Step 14: The paper needs to be baked for about 5 minutes.
You should have enough time to evaporate the tea on your paper.Since paper is very dangerous, keep a close eye on it while it's in the oven.If the paper is very thick, you might need to leave it in for a while.When the edges start to Curl up, you can tell the paper is dry.When you remove the baking sheet from the oven, use oven mitts to protect your hands.
Step 15: A soft paintbrush can be used to brush away any leftover paint.
If you only use tea to color your paper, you don't have to do this.If you added coffee grounds to affect the final shade, you should remove any paper that didn't absorb it.A soft paint brush can be used to remove paint.
Step 16: If the paper doesn't look old, rough it up.
If you're going for an authentic look on your project, yellowing the paper isn't the best way to go about it.Crumpling the paper, singing it with a flame, or adding more stains or tears will make it look like it has been damaged.If you're making an old treasure map, you might want to crumple it up and burn the edges to make it look better.crumple the sheet and use your fingernails to make small tears if you want to create holes in the paper.Allow the paper to dry.Blow out the flame if you use a lighter to singe the edges.The paper may quickly burn up.