Looking for a playful, hands-on way to create unique patterned papers? Paste paper is part printmaking, part painting, and a whole lot of fun. It’s an intuitive, expressive process that blends bold colors with texture—and it just so happens to be super satisfying (and a little messy in the best way). You can use them to make hand-made book covers, greeting cards, collages, journal covers and much more.
The best part? When you use Natural Earth Pigments or Natural Acrylik Paint, you don’t need to worry about harsh chemicals on your skin or in your sink. These natural, non-toxic supplies are perfect for this hands-on, water-friendly technique. Guest Post by artist Suzi Banks Baum!
Materials You’ll Need:
- Large sheets of sturdy paper (at least 90# weight, like Arches Text Laid, Fabriano Tiziano, or even flattened kraft paper bags!)
- A wallpaper trough or shallow container for soaking paper
- Natural Earth Pigments: The Sample Pack is perfect for trying out many different colors or larger amounts of pigment. Or use Natural Acrylik Paint.
- Brushes, sponges, and rags
- Mark-making tools: corks, stencils, old credit cards, erasers, oil crayons, rollers—whatever inspires you
Natural Paste Recipe:
You can make paste in two ways:
Option 1: Flour Paste
- 6 cups water
- 1 cup cake flour
Instructions: Boil 5 cups of water. Separately, mix flour with 1 cup of cool water until smooth. Slowly add flour mixture into the boiling water, stirring constantly. Cook for about 10 minutes until thickened. Strain and let cool.
(Recipe from Making Handmade Books by Alisa Golden)
Option 2: Methylcellulose Paste
- 1 Tbsp Methyl Cellulose powder (plant-based adhesive)
- 1 cup water
- Instructions: Whisk together until smooth. Ready in minutes! It dries with a lovely finish and can be used as glue.
Painting the Paper
1. Soak your paper
Roll a sheet of paper into a tube and gently soak it in your trough or container. Unroll and let excess water drip off. Place it on your workspace and gently smooth out any wrinkles.
2. Mix the paste paint
Mix about 1 tsp of pigment (or 1 tsp. natural acrylic paint) with ¼ cup of paste (adjust pigment/paint amounts to desired opacity).
3. Apply the Paint
Dollop the colorful paste onto your damp paper. Use a wide brush to pull the color down the page.
4. Make your marks
This is the fun part! Use your mark-making tools—try dragging a cork through the paste, stamping with a sponge, or drawing with the edge of an old credit card. Try stencils, rollers, even bubble wrap!
5. Layer and play
Add more dollops of color and continue brushing and marking. Try layering different tools and colors. You can even experiment with oil crayons underneath or mixed into the paste for extra texture.
6. Let it dry
Carefully move your paste paper to a drying area. The paper is fragile while wet, so handle with care! Outdoors? Try hanging them on a clothesline!
Once Dry
Time to admire your artwork!
Optional: You can iron your finished paste papers to flatten them.
What Can You Do With Paste Paper?
- Handmade book covers
- Origami books or lanterns
- Greeting cards
- Collages and framed wall art
- Window shades or lampshades
- Journal covers
Want to Learn More?
Here are some amazing resources to dive deeper into paste paper and sustainable studio practices:
- Marie Kelzer’s Paste Paper Art
- Making Handmade Books by Alisa Golden
-
Helen Hiebert’s The Art of Papercraft
-
Microplastics & the Environment – NYT Coverage
FOLLOW SUZI on Instagram @suzibb to take a look at more of her work. You can also learn more about Suzi at SuziBanksBaum.com.
Paste paper is one of those techniques that brings out the creative kid in all of us—and with Natural Earth Paint, you can explore freely knowing you're creating with the planet in mind.
Ready to try it? Tag us in your paste paper creations @naturalearthpaint — we’d love to see what you make!
