How to Distress Edges of Tags With Ink

Distress the edges of a tag with ink to add decoration.

Distressing is the technique of adding an aged or worn look to an object or material. It is used in many paper craft projects, including scrapbooking and card making. Water-based dye inks work well when used to distress paper. These inks dry slower than other inks, allowing them to be more workable on a paper's surface. Give an aged look to homemade shipping, gift or name tags by distressing around their edges with inks.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Tag
• 2 shades water-based dye inks
• Ink blending tool or foam paintbrush
• Spray bottle
• Water
• Cloth

Instructions

1. Cover a work surface with sheets of paper towel. Set the tag right-side up on top of the paper towels.

2. Choose two shades of water-based dye inks. Select a light and a dark shade of the same color. Remove the lids from the ink pads and place them near the tag.

3. Rub an ink-blending tool or foam paintbrush over the lighter-colored ink pad. Place the foam containing the ink 1/4-to-1/2-inch inside one of the tag's edges. Press the foam down on the paper while pulling it back across the paper's surface toward the edge. Repeat this brushing technique around all edges of the tag. Reink the foam when the brushed-on ink marks start to lighten.

4. Ensure the tag's edges are completely covered with the lighter shade before moving to the darker shade. Rub the foam onto the darker-colored ink pad. Brush the ink on as before, working on top of the lighter ink. Apply the darker ink to the inside 1/8-to-1/4-inch of the tag.

5. Fill a spray bottle with water. Adjust the nozzle's setting to a fine mist. Mist lightly over the tag. Rub lightly over the inked edges of the tag with a cloth. Make small, circular motions with the cloth on the paper's surface to further blend the ink. Let the tag sit for five to 10 minutes to allow the ink to dry.

References

• Monkey House Hobby: A Complete Guide to Rubber Stamp Pads and Inks