DIY Network

Creating Colored Paper Learn how to add color to your homemade paper. From "Craft Lab" episode DCLB-107

Guest Heidi Reimer-Epp joins host Jennifer Perkins to explain how to add color to the homemade paper she created by adding dye to the pulp.

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	Guest Heidi Reimer-Epp shows you how to add color to your homemade paper.
	Figure A

Project designed by Heidi Reimer-Epp.

Materials:

2 sheets of tissue paper—one in pink and one in blue
Rit brand Tint and Dye in Kelly Green No. 32
Botanical PaperWorks papermaking pigment in violet
1 tablespoon Botanical PaperWorks liquid sizing
4 tea bags
1/2 cup grass

Adding Color to Homemade Paper

1. Tissue Paper—Add color to handmade paper by blending vibrantly-colored tissue paper in with your pulp. Tear the tissue paper into 1" pieces, soak for two minutes then add to a blender of processed pulp. Process the pulp and tissue until you have a smooth, even color (figure A). Alternatively, add and then pulse the blender for only a second or two to produce large chunks of color in the pulp. The longer the tissue is blended, the smoother the color will be.

2. Dyes and Pigments—Use fabric dye and Botanical PaperWorks papermaking pigments to add color to untreated pulp.

3. Dissolve a package of fabric dye (example: Rit powder dye) in water, following package directions. To a bucket of unstrained pulp (pulp and water), add the liquid and stir well to disperse the color. For best results, use cotton, abaca or hemp fiber. Since recycled paper contains many chemicals that impede the absorption of the dye, avoid using it or combine it in equal parts with cotton or abaca. Leave the pulp to soak overnight, drain it and proceed with papermaking.

4. Papermaking pigments work in a similar manner to fabric dyes, however you need to add liquid sizing to assist in the bonding of pigment to fiber. Dilute one tablespoon of sizing in one cup of water. Add this mixture to 1/2 pound of unstrained pulp. Stir and let sit for five minutes. Dissolve a small amount of pigment in a cup of water and add to the pulp. Stir well and let sit for 15 minutes. Strain pulp and proceed with papermaking.

5. Experiment with differing amounts of dye and pigment to obtain the desired depth of color.

6. Natural Dyes and Color—Plant material and flowers can be used to add color and interest to handmade paper. To create a paper colored with tea, boil six tea bags in three cups of water. Steep in water for 30 minutes. Remove tea bags. Add the remaining liquid to 1/4 pound of unstrained pulp and mix well. Let sit overnight, then strain pulp and proceed with papermaking.

7. For added flecks and texture, add the tea bags to the blender. Proceed with papermaking as per above instructions. Paper will be flecked with bits of tea. Paper will dry with a delicate tea scent.

8. To add dashes of color, add a handful of grass cuttings to a bucket of strained pulp. Mix well by hand, carefully blending the inclusions in. Proceed with papermaking.

RESOURCES :

Books by Heidi Reimer-Epp

300 Papermaking Recipes
by Heidi Reimer-Epp and Mary Reimer
ISBN:156477533X
Martingale

The Encyclopedia of Papermaking and Bookbinding
by Heidi Reimer-Epp and Mary Reimer
ISBN: 0762412143
Running Press

Beginner's Guide to Papermaking
by Heidi Reimer-Epp and Mary Reimer
ISBN: 0806993944
Sterling Publishing Co.

GUESTS :

Heidi Reimer-Epp
Botanical PaperWorks
Website: www.botanicalpaperworks.com