Transforming Paper: The Coffee Method

[PearlyKinetic]

will it ruin papaers with writing on it



[edwardmbowen]

@PearlyKinetic It might. It depends on the ink -- printer ink usually won't run, but calligraphy ink may.

[BloodMagicTwilight]

can u use the microwave instead of the oven?

[edwardmbowen]

@BloodMagicTwilight No -- the microwave might set it aflame.

[Spottedwingriver]

still I love the costume. Makes the tutorial all the more fun!

[laZOETje]

rofl, lighters don't work for me either.. How do you get the edges to darken as in more aged not burned. (was that the lighter?)

[edwardmbowen]

@laZOETje I usually let the coffee drain off various sides of the paper to stain the edges a darker color before I pop it in the oven.

[Spottedwingriver]

LOL! The reaction to the lighter is hilarious!!!!!!!

[edwardmbowen]

@Spottedwingriver I have my moments. ;)

[akastukibitch]

thank you so much :3! i was making a portrait look historic for a friend,this helped alot^^

[edwardmbowen]

@akastukibitch Hey, great! Glad I could be of help. :)

[mia6782]

What if u want it darker do u leave it longer??

[edwardmbowen]

@mia6782 Exactly. :)

[dark1secret]

I'm trying to write a manuscript on Anatomy with elaborate and colored drawings made with gel pens. Can i use this method to age the paper without destroying the whole work?

[edwardmbowen]

@dark1secret Have you already made the drawings on the paper? If so, I worry that the ink might smear. Try it on a piece of paper with gel pen that you won't miss if it gets messed up first.

[dark1secret]

@edwardmbowen Thank you for reply.

Yes, some of the drawings at the beggining are done allready. I have made a folio with a new random drawing and i wait for it to get dry and then i will try your method on it. I have tested the gel allready, and it doesn't ... i dont know the word in english...it doesnt become like a spot. I'm worried about the colors though, especially the red. It's a long and very elaborate work and i really dont want to destroy it.

[whitesnowable]

Does it also works for thicker like drawing paper?

[edwardmbowen]

@whitesnowable I haven't tried it with thicker paper, but I would imagine that it would work in much the same way. The consistency of the paper will be different, though. I would definitely try it out and let me know how it goes!

[babycakkes19]

LOOOOOL @ 4:45

[hellerZauberer]

Interesting. I've done stuff like this before, but I always put my paper on in and pourd the stuff on top. Out of curiosity, why do you float and then spoon the stuff?

[hiphopopotamus5]

would just regular coffee do the same thing?

I dont have instant, but i have regular coffee grounds that you would use in a coffee machine. If so, how much water would I use compared to how much coffee?

I need this for a project!

[hiphopopotamus5]

@hiphopopotamus5 , Also, is this paper foldable afterward? I need to use it as a letter... will this also work to dye yarn ?

[edwardmbowen]

@hiphopopotamus5: Yes, coffee brewed from grounds should work fine. Try 3 to 4 scoops of ground coffee for each cup of water, if you want darker paper.

The paper will fold fine after you bake it or let it dry.

I've never tried yarn before, but I don't see why it wouldn't work, as long as it's not wax-coated or nylon. I definitely wouldn't bake the yarn, though.

Hope this helps! Happy paper-making :)

[Firsir]

I'm amazed nobody has commented on this! A very cool and useful series of videos, thanks a lot!

[edwardmbowen]

@Firsir Thanks for the compliment! I really enjoyed making them.