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Paper Basics

Delicate vellum, wispy mulberry, shiny metallic -- and print after print after print! There's paper out there for almost every occasion imaginable. If only figuring out what to do with it could be easier!

The following techniques and ideas can be applied to any paper, pattern, color and theme.

Paper Types

  • Cardstock -- heavyweight paper used to make cards, tags, and other sturdy embellishments; it can be cut, punched, folded and torn to produce interesting effects.
  • Patterned -- lightweight and available in every color and thousands of designs, patterned paper helps set the tone of your project and is an inexpensive way to add visual interest.
  • Vellum -- this mid-weight paper lends projects and embellishments a subtle elegance and can be used in place of cardstock to make tags and small envelopes; available in a variety of colors.
  • Mulberry -- handmade paper embedded with flower petals, fibers and other materials
  • Specialty -- glitter, mirror-finish and suede are just a few of the exciting examples!

Tool Box Essentials
  • Paper Trimmer
  • Scissors
  • Adhesive
  • Pens & Markers
  • Paper
  • Soft Embellishments
  • Hard Embellishments

Paper Techniques

Chalking -- apply dry chalk to paper or cardstock edges using a sponge brush or cotton swab

Cropping -- another word for "cutting," this means reducing a photo or matte to a particular size using a paper trimmer or scissors.

Distressing -- anything you do to paper to give it a mellow, aged appearance including crumpling, sanding and inking.

Embossing -- two methods of adding texture to paper are dry embossing, where a stencil and stylus are used to create a raised image, and heat embossing, where embossing powder is sprinkled over a stamped image and then heated to create a glossy, raised design.

Eyelet Setting -- punch hole in desired location, insert eyelet, and turn paper over. Position tip of eyelet setter into opening at back of eyelet, hold firmly, then tap three to four times with hammer to set prongs. Remove eyelet setter and give prong a final tap with hammer to flatten.

Folding and Scoring -- a scoring blade (or bone folder) is a great tool for paper crafts and card making, but a simple fold-and-press technique can work just as well. Fold card edges together, then lightly crease and fold. Crease card more firmly using a bone folder for perfect folds.

Matting -- cut cardstock or patterned paper slightly larger than photo or embellishment. Adhere layers together, leaving a narrow border visible around photo.

Painting -- choose paint designed for paper to prevent wrinkling and bleed-through. Create custom patterned papers, accent embellishments and more.

Punching -- craft punches are a quick way to create accents and borders, and come in several sizes and shapes. The "negative" shapes can also be used (the paper left over after a shape is punched).

Sewing -- to sew on paper, use a regular sewing machine, a special mini sewing machine, or try the pierce-and-stitch method. Lightly trace stitching lines on paper, then pierce evenly-spaced holes with needle. Sew just as you would on fabric.

Stamping -- press rubber stamp against ink pad, then apply to paper. Alphabet/number stamp sets, as well as stamps for occasions, are the quickest, most economical way to mass-produce cards and invitations.

Tearing -- add instant personality to projects with pieces of torn cardstock, vellum, or patterned papers. Make a small tear in one edge of paper, then carefully tear along a vertical line using both hands. Tip: Keep your thumb together and tear upwards to reveal a white edge.
 

How to Use Paper

 

A very simple and basic way to use patterned paper is as the background of a scrapbook page. To avoid having the patterned paper overpower the other elements of the page, follow these guidelines:

  1. Keep the patterns and color subtle, bold colors and patterns can be very distracting.
  2. Mat your photos onto solid paper or cardstock to help them stand out against the patterned paper.
  3. Use patterns and colors that will enhance the theme of the page.
  4. Do not use a pattern bigger than the heads of the people in your photos.
  5. Everything you place on your page has visual weight -- colors that are darker tend to have more visual weight than lighter colors.
  6. When combining papers from different manufacturers, try complementary color schemes.
  7. You can also combine papers using themes such as vintage, funky, retro or floral.
  8. Unify patterned papers by using a number of popular techniques including inking, sanding, stitching, embossing and using overlays.
  9. Remember that a little goes a long way when using patterned paper on a layout. A dab of pattern in the corner or a strip across the middle of a layout can easily build a design and balance the elements.
  10. Don't be afraid. Give it a try! Most of all, have fun and let your creative juices flow!

Things to Remember
  • Use a paper trimmer to cut paper strips quickly and evenly.
  • Gentle sanding can add charm and character.
  • Choose the right adhesive and you can cover just about anything with patterned paper.
  • Create quick cards from paper scraps after every project to get the most from your stash.
  • By flipping the position of the patterned paper, you can achieve a totally different look.
  • Try to use more than one patterned paper.
  • To create an overall balance, it's best to use a coordinating range of papers.
  • Tearing paper of all textures and thicknesses offers a decorative edge that softens a page's look. Vary the direction, speed and angle of your tear to achieve surprising and spontaneous results.
  • Layer a piece of solid 8.5x11 paper on top of a patterned piece of 12x12 paper for a quick, eye-catching matting (or leave your background solid and layer patterned paper on top of it.)
  • By using a patterned or colored vellum, you can change the look of the patterned paper or enhance the theme of your page.
  • By trimming vellum smaller than the patterned paper, you allow a bit of the pattern to show through and makes a border around the page.
  • Pull color from your photos. While you may be tempted to choose a color that dominates your photos, this may cause your photos to blend with their background, rather than pop off the page.
  • Refuse to allow your color choices to be dictated by the theme of your page if this means that the colors and photos will clash. For example, if your daughter's Christmas dress is pink, you may wish to shy away from traditional red and green holiday layouts.



 
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