: Submerge the paper in water for about one minute to stop the chemical reaction.

: Tear paper into small pieces and soak in water for at least two hours .

: Arrange natural objects (leaves, flowers) or negative transparencies on the paper.

If your goal is to make modern paper look like ancient parchment or "vintage" paper, use these common distressing methods: :

: Peel the semi-dry sheet from the screen and let it air dry completely .

: Lay the paper flat to dry. Placing it under heavy books can help prevent curling . Aesthetic Aging Techniques

If you are preparing paper for light-sensitive art, the goal is to create a surface that reacts to UV light to produce deep blue prints.

: To speed up drying and add a crisp texture, bake the stained paper in an oven at ) for 4–10 minutes . Physical Distressing :