How to Make a Faux Leather Kraft Paper Treatment

Easy Steps for making kraft paper look like leather. Using only 5 inexpensive items and a little time, you can learn to create this faux leather kraft paper treatment. Please read on...

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• sandpaper
• Brown kraft paper
• White glue (kind that dries clear)
• Brush (foam or bristle)
• rag
• water based polycrylic

1. 
    
   Faux leather frame.

   Lightly sand frame (whether wood or metal or plastic) with a light grade sandpaper. This helps the kraft paper to adhere to the frame.

2. TEAR paper into various sizes. Uneven edges are the goal here! Make the glue mixture by adding hot water (maybe 1 tbsps of water to 6 tbsps of glue). You want the glue not stiff, but not runny. Just keep experimenting till you get the right mixture.

3. Using your brush (foam or bristle), slather some glue mixture on the wrong side of the torn paper and lay over frame. Now, apply more of the mixture on top of the piece, covering both front and back of frame.

4. Continue as above, overlapping paper randomly. At corners of frame, tear slit in paper so it wraps nicely front to back. Using lightly dampened rag, remove excessive glue and gently smooth any air bubbles. Let dry overnight.

5. 
    
   Finished faux leather frame

   Apply 2 to 3 coats of polycrylic, letting dry between coats. You've just finished your first faux leather kraft paper treatment! Well done!

Tips & Warnings

• Optional: if you prefer a tinted leather look, you can lightly stain before applying polycrylic. My frame was finished without staining.
• Also, any kind of white glue that dries clear is fine. I use the two for $1 available at your discount store.
• Note: If using paper sack from grocers, make sure that the logo on the sack is turned over so it doesn't show.
• You can do a whole floor with this treatment. Just buy a roll of contractor's brown paper from the home improvement store and of course, make a larger quantity of the white glue and hot water to apply. Start anywhere on the floor.

[vallain]

on 10/12/2009 I've always wanted to try this fake leather look. Sounds like a really easy craft project.

[candoitall]

on 10/12/2009 I'm going to try this!

[scottmitzi]

on 10/12/2009 My sister even did this on her wall, with wallpaper. It looks great.

[prettyevil]

on 8/7/2009 Did you do a full floor like that? I'd love to see it. I'm wondering if I could use it on theater costumes.

[bossypants]

on 7/17/2009 Fabulous photos, as always! And I love this technique! Who wouldn't enjoy a craft that allows you to "slather?" :) Thanks!