How to Tea Stain Paper + A FREE Printable

Today I will show you how to antique plain white paper using a simple tea stain! It’s never been easier to add vintage charm to your home.

I used tea stain for the first time in 8th grade. I was at my best friend’s house, and we wrote a pretend letter from a husband to a wife during the Civil War. We wanted to add to the authenticity of said letter by giving the pages an antiqued look. It just so happened that her mom had made a pitcher of tea, and left the bags in the pot. One idea led to another, and, before we knew it, we had a pretty convincing letter from 1866!

You’ll Need…

1 tea bag, I used a regular black tea bag
1 cup of water
pot for simmering tea
paint brush
paper
Surface to “paint” on, I used a large plate

First you want to bring your water to a near boil, and add your tea bag. Turn the heat off, and let the tea bag sit and simmer until the water is completely cooled. Give the tea plenty of time to steep, and get a good dark color.

Once the water is completely cooled, you simply start gently brushing the tea onto your paper. Be careful not to apply too much at once. You just want enough to dampen the paper. Not soak it!

Once the entire paper is covered, or the section you want is done, let your paper dry laying down. I try to flip the paper a time or two. This can take several hours so I usually end up leaving mine while I do other chores. If it dries, and you’re not pleased with the tone, you can add another coat of the tea, and complete the process again.

I’ve also seen this method used on wood, but I haven’t personally tried it. I think it would be a great alternative to chemical laden stain, though!

I’ve created this FREE printable image for you all to practice your tea staining skills on. I love the little vintage vibe it brings, and quite honestly, you don’t know it isn’t old. It’s been by my antique farm scene picture, and have to admit, it looks pretty convincing.