How to Make Your Own Magic Flash Paper

One of the highlights of a magic act is the moment when the magician ignites a small square of paper and instantly it is gone in a bright white flash. In the early days of magic, flash paper was made by combining four parts strong sulphuric acid with five parts fuming nitric acid and stirring with a glass rod. The difficulty of obtaining these acids and the intimidation factor of mixing highly volatile substances led amateur magicians to conjure up an easier process. With simple ingredients such as road flares and white spirits, anyone can create flash paper at home.

Things You'll Need

• White toilet paper
• Road flares
• Knife
• Tablespoon
• 2 cups white spirits (paint solvent)
• Saucepan
• 8-by-8 glass baking dish
• Cookie sheet
• Protective goggles, gloves and clothing

Instructions

Preparing the Ingredients

1. Cut toilet paper into small, palm-size squares. Split the road flare open from end to end with the knife. Scoop out the white crystal powder and set aside.

2. Pour 2 cups white spirits into a saucepan and add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the white crystal powder. Cook over very low heat (preferably outdoors) for 20 minutes.

3. Skim off the jelly-like layer that is formed in the saucepan into the 8-by-8 glass baking dish. Carefully add the toilet paper squares on top and let soak for 30 minutes. Place the wet squares on a cookie sheet and bake for one hour at 100 degrees.

4. Your flash paper is now ready to use. To ignite, touch the corner of the paper to any source of flame. The paper will flash brightly and leave no ash.

Tips & Warnings

• Do this process outside.

• Store the flash paper in a dry place away from excessive heat in an open container.

• Flash paper and the ingredients are highly explosive. Use great caution.

• Children should not be present.

References

• Classic Magic
• How to Make Magician's Flash Paper
• Professional Magic Tricks