I’m a big paper fanatic. I love scrapbook paper, wall paper, cotton paper, construction paper, gloss paper, recycled paper, cardboard paper, glitter paper, etc. I also love wrapping paper, but I hate storing it. Those rolls aren’t easy to store without getting destroyed (at least in my house).
Well, I had a gift to give and I didn’t have any wrapping paper and I really didn’t want to use a gift bag so I decided to decorate my own wrapping paper. Now, this isn’t the first time I’ve decorated my own paper. Awhile back I decorated some gift wrap for my dog (see that post here), it was his adoption day anniversary (yes, I celebrate that day…don’t judge).
Anyway, I decided to get creative with wrapping paper once again. This time around I used alcohol inks. Check it out.
Supplies
- Alcohol Inks
- Paper
- Gesso
- Washi Tape
- Twine
- Black Brush Pen
- Spray Mister (filled with rubbing alcohol) (91%)
Step One
First, let’s talk about paper before getting started. Generally speaking, when using alcohol inks, Yupo Paper is the way to go. Yupo Paper is synthetic paper, waterproof, durable and quite strong. When alcohol inks are applied to the paper, the inks maintain their bright vibrant color. Although a bit expensive, Yupo Paper is fun to use.
For this project I am not using Yupo Paper. Instead I’m using calligraphy paper. Here’s the catch. I added gesso (it’s like primer) to one side of the paper first. Now, I did not have the opportunity to try this on any other type of paper, so I can’t say how well this technique will work with other types. It’s all based on trial and error.
Let’s get started. After cutting my paper down to the size I needed, I applied a thin layer of gesso to one side with an old gift card (credit card or hotel room key works too). Again gesso is like primer. It helps stiffen a surface, provides texture, and is often used before applying acrylic paint. Gesso also helps with avoiding bleed through. Allow this to dry.
Step Two
Just so the paper didn’t curl, I held the paper down with washi tape. Then I started dropping these three alcohol inks onto the gesso side of the paper. I placed the inks near each other so it would mix together and create a unique color blend.
Step Three
Periodically, I’d spray a light mist of rubbing alcohol right on top of the paper. This changes the tone and look of the alcohol inks.
Step Four
Sometimes the inks would gum up a bit, to stop that from happening I just used a paper towel to absorb the excess ink.
Step Five
After the inks dried, I added some dots and marks to the white empty spaces with a black brush pen. After that, I wrapped my gift (upcycled the washi tape), added some twine, and made a tag with the leftover scrap paper.
