How to Make Aged Paper With Tea or Coffee

You don't have to travel back to the 1800s to add that old, antique effect to your paper. With a few ingredients found around the home, you can add that effect to most of your printed material. This process can either be done with blank paper or printed material with which the ink has been fully dried.

What you'll need:

• Paper
• Coffee or tea
• Tea or coffee bag with grains inside
• 1 Paintbrush
• 1/4 cup of Vinegar
• Sun exposure and a drying tray

What to do:

1. Add a 1/4 cup of vinegar to your tea or coffee and stir the mixture.

2. Take your tea or coffee mixture and generously apply it to the paper with your paintbrush until the paper is entirely covered. 

3. To add a grainy effect to your paper, open up the tea bag and sprinkle some of the grains onto your paper. This will add that rustic effect to your art.

4. Carefully place your paper on a drying tray and place it outside or in a spot with an adequate amount of sun exposure for drying.

5. Once your paper is dry, you should be able to notice a rough, crisp texture to your paper. If it is not adequately aged, add more tea or coffee to the paper and start over until you are satisfied.

Important Notes:

• Always remember to print or add your designs to the paper BEFORE aging. Once it has been stained, you may not be able to print or decorate the paper.
• When printing on your paper allow the ink to fully dry before the aging process begins, so that the ink does not run.
• Be careful when placing your paper onto the drying tray. Wet paper tends to rip very easily.