CREATE YOUR OWN MARBLED WRAPPING PAPER AND GIFT TAGS

WE love the idea of making our own marbled wrapping paper and gift tags for Christmas this year, so we asked Alex Lewis of Compton Marbling to show us how it can be done. Compton Marbling has been making hand-marbled paper and related products since the 1970s. Marbling supplies such as carrageenan powder and alum are also available.

YOU WILL NEED

Selection of paint colours (acrylic or gouache) Uncoated paper/gift tags

A tray to work in – a large roasting tin or a cat litter tray would be ideal

Jars and paintbrushes

Skewers/old comb

Newspaper

Gloves to protect your hands

TO MAKE THE SIZE YOU’LL NEED

Carrageenan powder

Warm water

Blender

Your tray/container to hold the liquid

HOW TO PREPARE THE SIZE

Measure 14g of carrageenan powder to 2ltr warm water and blend on max for a couple of minutes. Make sure there are no small lumps in the mixture. Pour into your tray and leave for at least 8 hours.

FOR THE MORDANT PRE-TREATMENT FOR YOUR PAPER YOU WILL NEED

Alum

Freshly boiled water

Sponge

Plastic sleeve and board (this is to keep the paper moist and flat) 1. Begin by preparing the mordant. Measure 25g of alum crystals and mix in a heatproof container with ½ pint of boiling water; stir until the crystals have completely dissolved. When cool, use the sponge to coat one side of your paper/gift tags. Then store under plastic and a board until required – the paper/gift tags should remain damp until use.

2. Mix your paints (acrylic or gouache) with water to the consistency of single cream. You may have to add a few drops of very diluted dish soap to help the paints spread on the surface of the size.

3. Apply the paints over the surface of the size by flicking with a paintbrush. Swirl or comb the surface to create the desired pattern. Carefully lay the coated paper or gift tag (mordant side down) onto the surface. Use strips of newspaper to cover any paint left around the edges. Lift out your paper (or tags) and gently rinse, then hang to dry. Flatten under heavy books once completely dry.

TIPS

■ Pick a coloured paper to enhance your design, just make sure it is uncoated paper.

■ If you use gift tags, remove the string and replace with a ribbon to co-ordinate with your colours.

■ Use opened paper clips to hook the tags out of the size and then to hang them to dry.