Tea DIY: How to Tea Stain Paper

Do-it-yourself crafts are always popular and great if you are on a budget. Whether you are making a gift for your friend or a decoration for your house, it is a really fun route to go down.

One great DIY craft every tea lover out there should try is tea staining paper.  It gives a nice antiquated look to anything and is great for making cards, wrapping paper, craft projects, journals, and other paper crafts. It is also very inexpensive and a fun craft to do. All you need is some tea —  like loose leaf black tea — water, and different types of paper materials. 

Check out the tutorial below to learn how to tea stain paper.

How to Tea Stain Paper

If you want to give paper a soft, vintage look without spending a lot of money, tea staining is the perfect method. It’s quick, easy, and only takes a few everyday supplies you probably already have at home. 

Follow these steps to tea stain paper easily and give it a beautiful, aged look. 

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Black tea (loose leaf or tea bags)

• A mug or pan for brewing tea

• A paintbrush or sponge

• A shallow pan (for soaking paper)

• Paper materials (any kind you like)

• Paper towels

• Heavy books or flat weights for drying

Instructions

1. Brew a batch of black tea. Plum Deluxe has a lot of great options to choose from, including Earl Grey black tea, rich black teas from China, bold Indian black teas, and smooth black teas from Sri Lanka. 

So pick your favorite blend and be sure to make a little extra to have a cup yourself (along with some delicious English tea biscuits).

Tip: For a stronger color, use two or three tea bags or extra loose leaf tea when you brew.

2. Steep the tea for about 5 minutes and then do one of the following:

• Dip a paintbrush into a cup of tea and brush it on the paper. You can drop droplets down onto the paper, paint it fully, or just paint the edges. Whatever you prefer.

• Fill a pan with a small layer of black tea and soak the entire piece of paper in it for about three minutes or longer. The more time it is in the tea, the darker it will be. You can also gently crumple the paper before soaking it if you want a more aged, textured look after it dries.

Tip: Thicker papers like watercolor paper, mixed media paper, or heavyweight printer paper work best for tea staining because they absorb the tea well without tearing or falling apart.

3. Set out the paper to dry with some paper towels on top. Then, place flat and heavy objects on top to keep it from wrinkling (unless that’s the look you’re going for, of course). Some thick books will work great. Let the paper dry completely before moving it, or it might tear easily if it's still damp.

Once your paper is dry, you can use it for your scrapbooking, wrapping paper, and other crafts!

Some Tips for Tea Staining Paper

If you want your paper to be more pigmented and “aged,” you can sprinkle the page with turmeric to turn the paper more yellow. Rub the turmeric into the tea to emphasize the yellow effect of the tea. Our Golden Cacao herbal tea has turmeric in it and will not only make your paper look antiquated but also smell like a beautiful fall day.

If you want your paper to look like it has been exposed to the elements, mix in some black tea grounds over the wet paper to add some brown onto the page. Once the paper is dry, you can brush off the excess tea leaves.

You can also add some personality to your paper. Before you start to stain your paper, write down some song lyrics on the page, a note, a quote you like, or even one of your favorite tea sayings. Use an ink pen that doesn’t smear with water and allow time for it to dry. This makes your paper look like an old love letter.

Tea staining is a great way to spice up your gifts during the holidays, add some uniqueness to your cards, and give personality to your journals. Grab some paper from around your house and try it out!

How to Make Colored Tea Stains

If you want to get creative with your tea stained paper, you can use different types of tea to create soft, natural colors. Colored tea stains are a simple way to add more character to your projects, whether you’re making journal pages, stationery, or craft backgrounds.

Follow these simple tips to add a splash of color:

1. Choose a Colored Tea Blend

Pick a tea that naturally has a strong color. Plum Deluxe has great options like strawberry teas for a soft pink, peach teas for a warm golden hue, and rose teas for a delicate blush tone. You can also try a rich chamomile tea for a pale yellow effect.

2. Brew a Strong Batch

Use double or triple the amount of tea you would normally brew. The stronger the tea, the deeper and richer the color will stain your paper.

3. Apply Like Regular Tea Stain

Brush or dip your paper just as you would with black tea. For a deeper color, let the tea sit on the paper a little longer before drying.

4. Experiment with Different Shades

Try layering different teas for a marbled or blended effect. For example, you can stain with peach tea first and lightly brush over it with rose tea for a soft, layered look.

5. Let It Dry Naturally

Air drying helps the colors settle and deepen without streaking. If you use a hairdryer, keep it at a low setting to avoid blowing the tea around and making uneven spots.

How to Create Designs on Tea Stained Paper

Once you’ve mastered basic tea staining, you can have even more fun by adding designs and patterns. With a few simple tricks, you can turn ordinary tea-stained paper into something truly special. Here’s how to do it.

1. Use a White Wax Crayon or Candle

Before you stain the paper, draw simple designs — like swirls, flowers, or writing — using a white crayon or the edge of a white candle. When you apply the tea, the wax resists the stain, leaving your designs clear and visible.

2. Try Stencils

Lay a plastic or paper stencil flat on your paper, then gently dab the tea around it with a sponge or brush. If you want deeper color around the edges, use a tea concentrate instead of regular brewed tea. When you lift the stencil, you’ll have a beautiful, softly outlined design.

3. Sprinkle or Drip Water

Before you apply the tea, lightly flick or drip clean water onto the paper. When you brush over it with tea, the spots with extra water will stay lighter, creating a natural speckled effect.

4. Fold and Dip for Patterns

Fold your paper into sections like a fan or accordion. Dip the edges into your tea stain and then unfold. You’ll get lovely lines and soft creases that look naturally aged.

5. Layer Colors

Use different teas — like peach tea for a soft base and rose tea for a delicate accent — to layer colors onto the paper. Brush lightly over the first color after it dries to create a soft, vintage watercolor effect.

Adding designs is an easy way to personalize your tea-stained paper for journals, greeting cards, crafts, or art projects. Every piece will look a little different, and that’s part of the magic!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to tea stain paper quickly?

Steep a strong cup of tea, brush it quickly over the paper, and dry it with a hairdryer to speed up the staining process.

How to tea stain paper to look old?

Use a dark tea concentrate, dab unevenly with a sponge, and let the paper air-dry naturally to create an aged, weathered look. You can also wrinkle the paper before or after staining it for an extra aging effect.

What is the best tea to stain paper with?

Black tea works best for staining paper because it gives the richest, most consistent color.

How to tea stain sheets?

Brew a large pot of strong tea, soak the sheets evenly in the tea for about an hour, then rinse them lightly and air-dry them for a vintage effect.