Questions tagged [paper]
For questions about the selection, use and characteristics of paper in arts and crafts.
157
questions
42
votes
7
answers
33k
views
How to cut a tiny circle in paper?
When papercutting, one often has to cut very small circles, like below. When I do that, I often break my blade. How should I cut small circles or other small holes? Think about ...
Should I apply ...
- 900
35
votes
10
answers
83k
views
How can paper be glued to cardboard without creating wrinkles?
In my projects, I often wish to affix a piece of paper to a more rigid material, like cardboard, and to do so using relatively large sheets of paper (say, around a square foot or two). However, I find ...
- 495
25
votes
4
answers
1k
views
What are the advantages of watercolour paper over sketch paper?
I've been looking around for some paper for watercolour painting. Watercolour paper can be over double the price of sketch paper.
What makes watercolour paper better? Should I invest the money, and ...
- 353
19
votes
3
answers
11k
views
How to prevent the paper from getting damaged due to a steel compass?
I intend to draw nested circles for a Mandala drawing. When the compass point is placed on the paper, it creates a tiny hole.
How do I keep the point from damaging the paper?
- 3,741
17
votes
3
answers
454
views
How to prevent "tufts" in paper when cutting fine details?
In the winter I'm big on making detailed, six-sided paper snowflakes. I use crafting knife to cut everything out. Usually I use printer paper or origami paper.
My issue is when cutting inside ...
user24
15
votes
3
answers
22k
views
How can I prevent watercolor paper from buckling?
Watercolor paper comes in various weights and the lighter variants can buckle (also known as cockling) when they get wet. How can I prevent or reduce this from happening? Is there a preferred ...
- 3,423
14
votes
6
answers
49k
views
Which glue should I use to attach paper to glass?
When making things that go in bottles (primarily beer), I want to add labels to the bottles. I like the look of matte paper labels such as those found on fancy wine bottles, but I'm having difficulty ...
- 2,325
12
votes
4
answers
426
views
What material can I use to dye paper to look older?
My son wants to have a treasure hunt themed birthday party (we'll be geocaching at a local park). For the invitations, he wants pirate treasure maps to tell guests where to go.
I'm going to be typing ...
- 4,376
12
votes
2
answers
308
views
How do I know I've got the right amount of moisture in the paper to wet-fold origami?
I've only had experience dry-folding. The one and only time I attempted to wet fold, the paper disintegrated. How do I know when the paper's absorbed the appropriate amount of moisture for wetfolding,...
- 2,605
11
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What does "for finished artwork" mean?
I have a pack of Bristol board with me today at work (I'm using it as a carrier for something), and I happened to read the description.
Bristol vellum surface
Acid free. Heavy weight. For ...
- 1,828
11
votes
2
answers
505
views
Irreversible Origami Envelope
In Patrick Rothfuss' novel The Wise Man's Fear, the main character briefly mentions that he has a way of folding a letter to be its own envelope in such a way that it is not possible to reopen the ...
- 251
10
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How can I cleanly cut the inside of a paper on a different angle?
Here's an issue that I've always faced when trying to cut something.
Generally, when cutting a piece of paper with scissors, it goes on well. I cut a straight line. When I have to change the ...
- 777
10
votes
3
answers
6k
views
What should I look for in a paper for a complex origami model?
I'm thinking of stepping up to folding complex origami models, such as those by KAMIYA Satoshi, HOJYO Takashi, and Robert Lang, but obviously 10" origami paper (kami) isn't going to cut it, as you ...
- 2,605
10
votes
2
answers
7k
views
How do I cut a perfect square out of paper for origami folding?
We've all been there. You think it's a square. It looks like a square. You fold it into a bird base, and well, it's that tiny bit off. And that error multiplies as you go farther and farther down ...
- 2,605
10
votes
3
answers
2k
views
How to glue a map onto a globe?
I'm making a globe of Mars. I've obtained a "sliced" map of Mars that I will print. Then I'll need to cut the slices and glue them onto the globe of Earth.
The slices won't align perfectly; I can ...
- 820
9
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Future-proofing paper and ink letter
I would like to write a letter, in the present, addressed to my children in the future (no sad reasons involved; I just thought it would be nice to share my emotions of a new parent directly with my ...
- 201
9
votes
3
answers
5k
views
How can I make my own perforated edge?
I'd like to make my own perforated edges on paper, so I can tear certain designs instead. I don't like the odds of tears when I just fold back and forth, and I don't want to use cutting in this case.
...
user24
9
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Gluing pasta to paper?
I'm gluing dyed pasta to paper with my son, but it's hard to get it to stick without an obscene amount of glue (Elmer's liquid) or decoupage (Mod Podge).
I'm using cardstock paper, so the glue doesn'...
user24
9
votes
1
answer
145
views
What is Paper Weight?
I also see a weight associated with the art paper I buy.
For example:
I have Bristol Board that is marked 100lbs, Pastel Paper marked 98lb, Sketch Paper marked 50lbs, etc.
What does this mean?
- 439
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Does paper have tooth levels?
I was told in the other question that cold press paper means paper having tooth.
So, I want to know - are there any levels of tooth in papers?
I have paper in the house. It is not glazed. I want to ...
- 3,741
9
votes
3
answers
4k
views
How to keep scratch art paper clean and free of pencil and eraser marks?
I was introduced to scratch-art in high school and have loved it ever since. The problem I repeatedly encounter is in keeping the surface of the paper unmarked where I want it to remain black. I have ...
- 1,134
9
votes
2
answers
4k
views
What kind of paper to use for airbrush practice?
I'm just getting started with an airbrush and I plan to spend some time practicing basic techniques (dots, straight lines, curves, etc.) using cheap acrylic paints which I will dilute down to airbrush ...
- 3,235
9
votes
2
answers
144
views
Correcting mold damage to paper
I have a book which acquired mold damage / coloration after a storage mishap.
Under high magnification, it looks like the printed lettering is more raised (has structure / dimension) than the mold ...
- 971
8
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Is laminating books with adhesive plastic film a bad idea (and why)?
An earlier question, How can I laminate with contact paper without leaving bubbles?, asked about covering books with adhesive contact paper, presumably to provide some protection. The image in the ...
- 11.5k
8
votes
4
answers
2k
views
How can I laminate with contact paper without leaving bubbles?
I have to cover some books with adhesive contact paper. Although I try to do it slowly and with the help of a ruler, I systematically get some bubbles between the book and the cover.
Is there a good ...
- 1,205
8
votes
2
answers
26k
views
What's the difference between drawing paper and regular paper?
Supply stores sell drawing paper, sketching paper, and all sorts of bound pads and books of the same.
What makes this paper different than regular notebook or printer paper? How is it better suited ...
user24
8
votes
1
answer
548
views
How many two-page spreads (160gsm A4 paper) should be bound together in one signature?
I'm binding a sketch book as a birthday present. This is my first experience in book-binding. I've bought 16 A4 sheets of 160g/m2 black paper and I wonder how big should be one signature of sheets. I ...
- 183
8
votes
1
answer
775
views
A stronger material than paper for Kirigami or papercraft-inspired designs?
I would like to create some sculptures using papercraft & kirigami techniques, however I am looking for an alternative (stronger) material to paper with some/all of the following properties:
...
- 558
7
votes
5
answers
6k
views
How can I draw right angles with just a ruler?
If I am trying to draw a rectangle or square on a piece of paper I can use existing corners of the paper as a start point. However I lose accuracy when completing the square or shape on the inside of ...
- 11k
7
votes
6
answers
13k
views
Printing on Black Paper
I am a paper craft artist. I have a pdf file which I need to take a printout on black paper.
If I take print on black paper, I cannot see the lines and numbers. These lines and numbers, I need for ...
- 339
7
votes
4
answers
24k
views
How can I artificially age paper without staining or dyeing?
For several applications, I don’t like the cool look of modern bright white paper. For some valuable prints, I prefer natural white paper without optical brightening agents. In some cases, however, I ...
user234
7
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Why have my paper crafts hung on the wall deformed and what can be done to prevent this?
I cut these butterflies, and hands out of paper, spread gum on them and sprinkled glitter.
Then I pasted them on these CDs with Fevicol.
I did not fold them at all. They were straight the day I made ...
- 3,741
7
votes
3
answers
12k
views
How can I prevent my drawings and paper from yellowing over time?
Some paper just yellows over time, especially if left out somewhere where it sees sunlight.
Acid-free paper is a partial solution, but not terribly budget-friendly.
Is there something else I can do ...
user24
7
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Tool for sealing paper ends
Is there a tool that can seal paper similar to a paper wrapper on a plastic straw. Or how else can a fold the end that will look neat?
7
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Where can I get brown packing paper mesh?
I've been working on a collage with some packaging paper that I received in a shipment from somewhere and I'd like to get some more. There are some pictures of this kind of paper in Google Images and ...
- 71
7
votes
2
answers
109
views
What criteria should I consider for choosing paper for watercolor pencils
I have been researching about the types of paper that are well suited for watercolor pencils. But so far, I've come across hot, cold, and rough pressed paper. I'm not entirely sure if these are the ...
- 135
7
votes
2
answers
130
views
Paper Bridge Project
I am an engineering student and, for my final project this semester, I have to build a paper bridge. I plan to use rubber cement to glue the tubes of my bridge, but I want to use something else to ...
- 71
7
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Lickable glue for handmade envelopes (gum arabic)
I am looking for a way to put down a strip of adhesive on the tab of handmade envelopes. I would like to have the adhesive remain dry on the envelope and only become tacky when it is licked/moistened--...
- 173
7
votes
2
answers
611
views
What spray product could protect paper against grease?
I glued a bunch of origami to a paper lantern, like in the photo below. I plan to hang it near the kitchen. But I'm afraid that grease from cooking will ruin it. Is there a product (preferably spray-...
- 79
6
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Paintable tape for joining paper or cardboard?
Is there a suitable tape for permanently joining pieces of cardboard or paper together, that can then have paint (or other finish) applied to it just as it could to the paper/card itself?
I’ve been ...
- 161
6
votes
4
answers
261
views
How can I improve my binding process to get a better result?
Haven't done it in a while but I used to bind my own books so that I didn't have to pay extra for really cool ones. Mostly printed computer paper from 150 for 300 pages for the contents. This is what ...
- 11k
6
votes
3
answers
5k
views
What markers are like sharpies without the fumes?
My 5-year-old's gotten really into drawing all kinds of things with sharpies, but the smell is pretty awful (and mildly unhealthy). What marker has the look-and-feel without the fumes. The super-...
6
votes
2
answers
675
views
Store paper in a humid environment
As a hobby, I'm starting to do calligraphy. I've bought some paper online a few weeks ago (a Rhodia paper block). Today, I found out that when the block lays on a flat surface, I see two or three ...
- 163
6
votes
2
answers
7k
views
How to apply diamond dust to a canvas?
How can I apply diamond dust to a canvas or photo? I've searched the web but can't find any information about it. I've used photo spray glue but it's too sticky.
- 61
6
votes
1
answer
68
views
What is the difference between these watercolor papers?
I heard that watercolor papers are sized with different things.
I want to know what the difference is between watercolor papers sized with gelatin and sized with starch.
- 81
6
votes
1
answer
353
views
Help needed to transfer bird base to stretched bird base variant in John Szinger's origami fox model
I am stuck in step 7 to step 8 transition of the foxy fox model by John Szinger specified in the picture below.
Can somebody explain which folds are exactly being done to complete this transition?
...
- 63
6
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Which glue works best for paper sculptures
I have tried several types of glue but, have yet to find the perfect glue for my needs. For instance, I'm creating a miniature tree and need to glue multiple small leaves onto a branch.
I don't want ...
- 318
6
votes
1
answer
497
views
How to identify the level of tooth a paper has?
I have 145 gsm Cartridge paper in my house. I want to know whether it is great for colored pencil drawing or not.
I am told that toothed paper is great for colored pencils. So, I want to know how to ...
- 3,741
6
votes
3
answers
288
views
A more stretchy printable paper alternative?
My Martian Globe project isn't going according to the plan.
Maybe "the slices" are too wide, but I know for a fact they were used by some people to create globes. Anyway, I took some test B&W ...
- 820
6
votes
0
answers
46
views
How to stop alcohol markers from staining other pages?
A while back I got a set of alcohol markers and went right to work, finished a few pieces in my sketchbook, and was very happy with the result.
However, after a while (maybe a few weeks or a month) I ...
- 71