how do we 'age' paper to look old?

[Nicename]

DS is writing a document for homework and has been asked to age it. If its been written with a fountain pen, what's the best way to do this? Grill it?

[FrauHelgaMissMarpleandaChuckle]

I would put it in tea first, before you write on it, and dry it over the radiator and it goes brown and crinkly

[sesamstrasse]

Rub a wet tea bag on it, let it dry and burn the edges a bit

[ExtraVolume]

Crumple up the paper, then tea.

[Nicename]

Won't that take ages though?

[FrauHelgaMissMarpleandaChuckle]

Probably overnight but you could try drying it in a very very low oven at a push?

[claraschu]

Don't forget to burn the edges a bit all the way around.

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

You could try crumpling it up lots, sprinkling cocoa powder or dirt on it, flicking tea on it, then ironing it under greaseproof paper.

[Nicename]

I wanted to put a bullet hole and fake blood on it but D's says I am being over melodramatic.

[Crazy8]

I find a brief soak in very strong black coffee is the best thing to use. Then dry and burn edges.

[FrauHelgaMissMarpleandaChuckle]

Has he already written on the paper with a fountain pen?

Because if he has, you can't wet the paper or the ink will disperse.

[Nicename]

He's not written on it yet. He could do it in pencil, I suppose (WW1).

[FrauHelgaMissMarpleandaChuckle]

Age it first and write on it after if you can.

[Muskey]

I would use a wet tea bag rubbed over the paper dry with a hair dryer. Burning the ages also gives it a ragged look

[Monathevampire1]

Rub over with a wet tea bad, try not to soak the paper. Pop on radiator or in the airing cupboard for a short while. Tear edges and then write on the paper.

[Bartlebee]

We have just done this today.

Wet tea bag, dried on radiator, ripped down the edges.

[CheckpointCharlie]

All of the above and can he do cursive writing? That would look all ye olde!

[Nicename]

I'm experimenting much to DHs amusement. Sadly we don't have NY instant coffee. Chickory just seems to dissolve the paper (yuk)

[gooeybaby]

is it meant to be a letter from a ww1 soldier?

[NorbertDentressangle]

After you've got it damp with a tea bag sprinkle a small amount of ground up instant coffee on it to leave age spots.

[Nicename]

He was taught cursive at school - and been arguing with his teachers since reception about it (but why do I have to learn cursive when I can already write?).

[NorbertDentressangle]

ah, X posts - I see you don't have any instant coffee.

[Nicename]

I havea little conveyor belt going in the kitchen. Its smelly and brittle!

[Nicename]

Photocopy then age it? What do we think?

[Bloodyhell11]

I have just done this. Rip paper along each edge, you still have a rectangle, but edges are wobbly. Leave tea bag to stew in hot water, give tea bag a squeeze, rub gently all over paper, go over edges a few times, as the paper. Has been ripped, it will pick up more colour. Instant coffee, crush with a teaspoon ina cup until it is fine powder. Sprinkle tiny amounts over paper, it will look like foxing when dry.
Do all above on both sides.
Put on newspaper to dry near a radiator. I use brown felt tip to write on, looks "faded".

[Bloodyhell11]

Like this.