How to Stain Paper with Tea

Using old paper can add a vintage touch to your craft projects. You can repurpose old paper for writing poems, invitations, bookbinding, or school projects. Most types of paper can be made to look like faux leather by using tea. This method, often referred to as tea staining paper, can be completed in under an hour with materials you likely already have at home. This guide will show you how to stain paper with tea.

Select your paper. You can use any type of paper, from notebook paper to scrapbooking paper to printer paper. Keep in mind, thicker paper will take longer to stain.

Print or write on the paper before staining. The staining process will cause the paper to shrink and lose its flatness, which may prevent ink from adhering smoothly to the surface.

Roll the paper into a circle and then flatten it. This step will enhance the texture of the paper as the creases give the appearance of homemade faux leather or genuine leather paper. However, skip this step if you prefer to keep the paper smooth for your craft project.

Arrange the paper onto a baking tray. Place the tray on a flat surface to prevent the tea from pooling at lower corners.

Place the baking tray in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to its lowest setting, about 95°C.

Heat 2 cups (250ml) of water in the microwave, on the stove, or with an electric kettle. Pour the hot water into a bowl once it reaches a boil.

Add 3 to 5 bags of black tea into the water to brew the tea. The more tea bags you use, the darker the stain will be. Let the tea steep for 5 to 20 minutes before removing the bags and beginning the paper staining process.

• The hotter the tea, the more intense the orange hue. Many types of aged faux leather paper have a slight orange-brown tone. Black tea made from herbs and citrus will also yield warm tones.

Use tea to stain the paper in one of three ways:

• Use a brush to apply the tea onto the paper. Intentionally apply the tea unevenly to give the paper an older, more worn-out look.
• Use a tea bag on the paper. Make sure the tea bag is not too hot before applying. Gently rub the tea bag on the paper so some areas are wetter than others. This will create uneven stains on the paper. If the bag tears, discard it and use a new one.
• Directly pour the tea onto the paper. Pour slowly and stop when the tea starts to pool. Make sure not to pour too much. Tilt the baking tray so the tea can soak the entire sheet of paper evenly. This method is ideal for staining multiple sheets at once, as they can still absorb the tea while stacked together.

Lift one corner of the paper to check if the tea has soaked through to the back of the sheet. If not, reapply the tea to further process the paper.

Let the tea soak into the paper for at least 5 minutes. Absorb any excess tea that pools on the surface. If too much tea accumulates in one spot, it may cause the paper to tear when used.

Rub the outer edges of the paper. This will make the edges appear worn. You can also rub other areas of the paper if you want to create holes.

Place the baking tray in the oven. Bake the paper for about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the tray once the paper begins to tighten slightly.

Remove the tray from the oven. Use a fork and a dough brush to pry off any edges still stuck to the tray while the paper is still warm. Place the paper on a flat surface to cool down.

• You can also air-dry the paper soaked with tea. It will take about 45 minutes for each sheet to dry. Remember to use stones or other kitchen tools to press down the edges so the paper doesn't roll up.

Finish up.

Prepare a few tea bags depending on the amount of paper. The general rule is to use one tea bag for each sheet of paper.

Get a cup of water with the right amount for brewing tea. This means you shouldn’t fill the cup too much or use too little water, which will prevent the tea bag from floating properly.

Place the tea bag into the cup of water.

Put the cup of water into the microwave and heat for about a minute.

Once the cup of water is heated, leave the tea bag in the water for about a minute, then remove it and place it on a plate for about 10 minutes or until it cools down. The tea bag must be cool enough to touch without burning yourself.

Now, place the paper on the plate (you can crumple the paper to make it look older before doing this step).

Hold the tea bag and gently squeeze it to let the tea water drip onto the paper.

Spread the tea bag on the paper until the tea liquid is fully absorbed into the paper.

Repeat the process until the entire sheet of paper is stained with tea.

Allow the paper to air dry before proceeding with the next step.

• If the paper becomes too wrinkled after drying, place it between two heavy books overnight to flatten it out.
• You can substitute coffee for tea to create a darker stain and follow the same procedure.
• For a more variegated stain effect, sprinkle some pre-brewed coffee grounds around the paper after applying the tea. Let the coffee sit for two minutes, then wipe it away with a paper towel.
• If the page you wish to stain is part of a journal, use wax paper to separate it from other pages. Additionally, control the amount of tea water and wipe off any excess with a paper towel.
• If the content is ink-written, ensure that the ink doesn't smudge when it comes into contact with the water.
• Place old newspapers underneath while working to prevent staining your home’s furniture.
• Do not add too much water, or the paper may tear.
• If you accidentally add too much tea water, don't worry! The tea will dry once you place it in the oven.