How to Make a Paste Paper

Paste papers are easy to make and versatile enough to use them for book covers, end papers, scrapbooking, basket weaving and origami. I've seen some pretty awesome illustrations made with cut-outs of paste papers.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A few broadsides of a quality, text-weight paper such as Mohawk superfine
• A large tub slightly larger than the broadsides
• A large, slick surface such as a sheet of Plexiglas, a window, a slab of marble or a sheet of metal
• Several random objects that make interesting textures when pressed into paste
• Medium sauce pan
• Large bowl
• Spaghetti strainer
• Several different colors of acrylic paint
• 6 cups water
• 1 cup flour

Getting Started

1. 

   Before you do anything, collect a bunch of yoghurt or cottage cheese containers. You'll need these pretty soon in the game, and by the time you need them, it'll be too late to start collecting.

2. Gather all of the ingredients on the list; it's no fun to get halfway through just to find you're missing something. You can ruin your paste that way.

3. Lay out all of the equipment on a large work surface. Keep in mind that you're working with broadsides of paper.

Making the Paste

4. 

   Bring 5 cups of water to a rolling boil.

5. While the water boils, whisk together one cup of flour and the remaining one cup of water.

6. 

   Slowly whisk the flour mixture into the boiling water.

7. 

   While still hot, pour the paste through a strainer to remove any clumps of flour that may have formed. You may need to enlist an extra pair of hands for this step.

8. Divide the paste among several lidded containers. The number of containers depends on the number of colors you prefer.

9. Cover and allow to cool.

10. 

    Add acrylic paints to the paste of your choice of color. The paste can go from translucent to opaque depending on how much paint you add.

The Paste Paper

11. Dip your paper into a tub of water. Get both sides wet.

12. 

    Press to a smooth surface such as a window or sheet of Plexiglas. Smooth out all air bubbles and wrinkles.

13. 

    Apply the paste to your paper with a wide brush.

14. 

    This step is where you can really get creative. Try lots of different textures at first just to experiment. Use combs, sponges, brushes, stamps, fingers, hands or bubble wrap. The honeycomb texture pictured here was made using the bottom of an octagonal vase pressed into the paste.

15. 

    Use a comb.

16. 

    Use a paint brush.

17. 

    Try going in with another color to add detail when the paste is slightly drier.

18. 

    Try multiple colors in one coat.

Tips & Warnings

• If bristles from your brush drop in the paste, try using a pair of tweezers to get them out.
• If the paper is a little wrinkly when it dries, iron it between two pieces of fabric with the iron on the steam setting.