Burnt Parchment Paper Tutorial

Simulate the look of old parchment with regular paper.

Real parchment paper for use in books, scrolls and manuscripts is made from the skin of a goat, sheep or cows; rarely is it made from plant-based fibers. This historic writing paper is costly, and some find it objectionable for moral reasons. You can re-create old fashioned parchment paper for a school project or craft project using plain writing paper and materials found around the home. A burned edge lends a hint of mystery and adventure, emulating parchment paper one might find on a pirate's treasure map or a long-lost document.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Stove
• Tea bags
• Baking pan
• Paper
• Tongs
• T-shirts
• Cardboard
• Weight
• Fan
• Sink
• Lighter

Instructions

1. Boil 4 cups of water.

2. Add six tea bags to a pan that measures at least 8 by 11 inches.

3. Pour the boiling water into the pan. Let the tea steep. The longer the tea steeps, the darker the water will be.

4. Place a sheet of paper in the pan. Allow it to sit for several minutes --- no longer than 30. After 30 minutes, the paper begins to degrade irreversibly.

5. Position a plain, un-printed t-shirt or scrap rag over a piece of thick, corrugated cardboard. The cardboard and t-shirt need to be at least as large, if not larger, than the piece of paper.

6. Remove the sheet of paper from the water with a pair of tongs. Lay the sheet of paper on top of the t-shirt.

7. Layer another plain, un-printed t-shirt or scrap rag over the paper. Place another sheet of cardboard on top.

8. Weight down the cardboard, t-shirt and paper sandwich with a heavy object. This keeps the paper from curling as it dries.

9. Place a fan in front of the cardboard. Allow the paper to dry overnight. To make multiple sheets, continue layering t-shirts, paper and cardboard. Place the weight on the top-most piece of cardboard.

10. Remove the paper from the drying tower.

11. Grasp the paper with a pair of tongs. Hold it over a sink.

12. Burn the edges of the paper with a lighter, candle or other source of open flame. Blow out the flames if the paper catches on fire. Singe the edges of the paper to your satisfaction.

Tips & Warnings

• Antique the parchment even more by crinkling --- then smoothing out --- the dried, dyed paper before it is burnt.

• Use care when burning the paper. Paper ignites quickly and can cause injury.

References

• Merriam Webster Online Dictionary: Parchment
• "Scrapbooking Your Family History"; Laura Best; 2007
• "The Handmade Paper Book"; Angela Ramsay; 2001
• "Paper Transformed"; Julia Andrus; 2007