How to Make Marbleized Paper

Marbleized paper dates back to 12th century Japan. The process, then called suminagashi, or ink floating, reached Europe in the 15th century where it became a highly prized fine art form. Today, marbling is a popular design for fine stationary and books. To add a personal touch to gifts or as a fun activity for children, make your own marbleized paper with a few art supplies and common household objects. Read on to learn how.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plastic drop cloth or newspaper
• Plastic cup
• Distilled water
• Alum
• Plastic knife or popsicle stick
• Small paint brush
• White watercolor paper or fine stationary
• Liquid starch
• Aluminum baking tray, at least 2 inches deep
• Dishwashing soap
• Acrylic paint in squeeze bottles; up to 5 colors
• Plastic fork
• Paper towels

1. Cover work area with plastic drop cloth or newspaper to protect floor and furniture from messy spills.

2. Fill a plastic cup with water and add alum. Stir mixture with a plastic knife or popsicle stick until fully dissolved. Paint one side of the paper with the alum and water mixture. Lay paper on plastic or newspaper, painted side up, for one hour or until completely dry. Alum will improve paint's adhesion to the paper.

3. Pour liquid starch into the aluminum tray. Distilled water works well too and can be used instead of starch. A few drops of dishwashing soap added to cold water will promote color fastness.

4. Thin paints with water until runny. Next, add paints to liquid in aluminum tray by slowly squeezing pain bottles until small dots of paint begin floating on the surface. There is not right way to add paint, but the color order you choose and the amount of paint you add affects the marbleized pattern on the finalized paper product.

5. Drag the plastic fork through the water, across the paint, first horizontally, then vertically to "marble" the mixture. There are many effective approaches to this step and the best way to determine which method works best for your desired result is through trial and error.

6. Hold the paper horizontally and bring edges closer together to create a "u" shape. Gently place the curved, bottom portion of the paper into the paint and starch mixture. Next, gently let go of the paper until it's floating on the liquid's surface. You will inevitably notice some bubbles underneath the paper, some of which you can break or disperse by slightly pushing the paper down.

7. Allow the paper to float in the liquid for a few seconds, then carefully lift it out, touching only the edges of two diagonally opposite corners. Place paper, wet side up, on the plastic or newspaper and gently blot excess paint with paper towels. Allow paper to dry for about two hours.

Tips & Warnings

• After allowing paper to dry for 30 minutes, you can hang from a line using clothespins. Paper may curl less if hung than if dried on a flat surface.
• If your paper curls or warps during drying, place a thin towel over the paper and press with a clothes iron on a low setting.
• Be patient. Making marbleized paper is difficult and takes practice to perfect.