How to Create Faux Batik Paper

This technique allows you to create beautiful, translucent images on paper with a resist process similar to the one used to create batik papers and fabrics. Use your papers for collages, note cards, or to create your own "fabric paper."

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Thin rice paper or tissue paper (white or natural)
• Clear stamp pad
• Rubber or foam stamps
• Clear embossing powder
• Heat gun
• Inks, dyes, or paints (transparent)
• Iron
• Newsprint

1. 
   Stamp on paper

   Using a clear ink or watermark-type stamp pad, stamp images onto the paper. Stamp only one or two images at a time so that they don't dry before step 2. It will be difficult to see the images until the next step.

2. Sprinkle embossing powder over the stamped images. Tip the paper up and pour the extra powder back into the jar or into another container.

3. 
   Heat embossing powder

   Heat the embossed images with a heat gun until the powder melts. When the powder turns shiny and clear, it is completely melted.

4. 
   Spray on color

   Protect your work surface with plastic or paper, then use a brush or a spray bottle to apply inks, dyes, or transparent paint to your paper. Use whatever colors you like; my favorite combination is cranberry, stream (blue), lettuce, and a little butterscotch (light golden brown). Blend the colors together as much or as little as you like. You don't need to let the inks, dyes, or paints dry before proceeding to the next step.

5. Create a paper "sandwich": lay two sheets of newsprint onto the ironing surface, place the stamped paper onto the newsprint, then lay two more sheets of newsprint on top of the stamped paper.

6. 
   Iron paper between newsprint

   Iron over the newsprint with a hot, dry iron. Continue to iron until the inks are dry and all the embossing powder has been pulled from the stamped paper into the newsprint. While it's still warm, remove the stamped paper from between the sheets of newsprint. If your stamped paper sticks to the newsprint, iron again and remove the stamped paper while it's hot.

7. 
   Pale and darker papers

   If the colors on your paper are lighter than you would like, reapply the dyes, inks, or transparent paint, then iron the paper between layers of newsprint again.

Tips & Warnings

• This technique requires a clear stamp pad and clear embossing powder. Colored stamp pads or colored embossing powders won't produce translucent results.
• You can use either regular or extra thick embossing powder (UTEE), but regular embossing powder doesn't require as much ironing to remove it.
• You can use newspaper in place of newsprint, but make sure it's several weeks old so that the printing ink doesn't transfer to your stamped images or your iron.
• Always protect your iron by placing newsprint, parchment paper, or a pressing cloth between it and dyes, inks, or paints.
• Protect your ironing board or surface with an old towel in case the inks or embossing powder bleed through the bottom layer of newsprint.
• Use gloves to avoid staining your hands with the dyes, inks, or paints.
• Use caution when ironing paper or heating it with a heat gun: it will scorch and burn if too much heat is used.