If you use a cup that isn’t intended for hot beverages, you could end up with a nasty burn. Stick to a coffee or tea cup, and avoid cups made from plastic or metal, as they aren’t meant to hold boiling water.
Be very careful when you’re working with boiling water. If the pot you’re using has a metal handle, use a pot holder to move it so you don’t burn yourself, and be very careful not to spill any on your skin. If you’re a kid, ask an adult to help you boil the water for this step. You can also boil the water in the microwave if you like, but be sure to use a microwave-safe dish and place a non-metallic object like a popsicle stick into the dish so the water doesn’t become super-heated and explode.
Try to leave about 1–2 in (2. 5–5. 1 cm) of space at the top of the mug. If you’re trying to get a very dark color, use 2 tea bags in the mug at the same time. If you want a lighter color, 1 bag will be fine.
Any paper will work for this, from plain white copy paper to heavier paper used for painting. Thicker papers might produce a lighter result that takes longer to dry. Some inks are more likely to run when they’re wet, especially if you write with a washable marker or you print your design on an inkjet printer. If you can, use a laser printer or some sort of waterproof ink. If you can’t, just try not to rub the paper when you add the tea. Hopefully this will minimize the smudging. If you like, you can also lightly crumple the paper, then smooth it out. This will make the paper look like it’s been shuffled around for a number of years. To make the paper look even more worn, like for an old treasure map, tear off the edges of the paper.
Tea can stain your countertop or table, so it’s important to protect your work surface. If you don’t have a baking sheet that you can use, you can lay trash bags flat on your work surface instead.
It’s up to you whether you want to cover the whole page or just a few areas. Either way, don’t worry about getting a perfect application. The paper will look more authentic if the yellowing is a little uneven. Experiment with ways to get the tea on the paper. If you like, you can use a paintbrush, a straw, or even your fingers to create different effects.
Loose tea leaves may work for this as well, but the effect will not be as dramatic. You can even break open one of the tea bags if you want. You’ll remove the excess coffee grounds after the paper is dry.
Don’t dry the paper in direct sunlight, as it may become too brittle to use. Give the paper about 24 hours to air-dry.
If you used too much liquid, or if the paper is very thick, you might need to leave it in for a little longer. You can tell the paper is dry when the edges start to curl up. Use oven mitts to protect your hands when you take the baking sheet out of the oven.
For instance, if you’re making an old treasure map, you might want to crumple it up and carefully burn the edges so it will look old and worn. If you want to create holes in the paper, crumple the sheet and spritz it with a little water, then use your fingernails to make small tears. Allow the paper to air dry. If you use a lighter to singe the edges, blow out the flame as soon as the paper catches. Otherwise, the paper may quickly burn up. [14] X Expert Source Nicole BolinCrafts & DIY Specialist Expert Interview. 9 September 2020.
