Using Wheat Paste to Harden Paper for Art Projects
Paper creations can easily lose their shape or become damaged when they are fragile. A simple wheat paste made at home can be applied to paper to give it added firmness and a small amount of give, helping the finished piece hold together.
By Quinn Cooper7 steps
Preserve delicate paper pieces like these.
Paper folding, cutting, and shaping projects can be intricate and delicate, but a frequent problem is that the finished paper is fragile. Applying a solution that stiffens the paper can help prevent your paper art from being easily crumpled or wilted. A glutenous wheat paste made at home gives paper strength, stiffness, and just enough flexibility to keep it from becoming overly rigid.
Step 1
In a saucepan on the stove, bring the water to a boil. Stir in the salt until it dissolves. Turn the heat down to medium.
Step 2
Whisk the flour into the water, adding it a pinch at a time while whisking continuously. Once all the flour is incorporated, keep whisking until the mixture starts to form gluten. You can tell this has happened when it looks less pasty and opaque and becomes more gelatinous and slightly transparent.
Step 3
Take the flour mixture off the heat and allow it to cool. If it thickens too much while cooling, stir in some water; the mixture should have the consistency of heavy cream.
Step 4
Cut and/or fold the paper into the shape you want it to hold when stiff. After the wheat paste is added, the paper will harden into that form and become thick enough that cutting it with the same precision will be difficult.
Step 5
Using craft brushes, brush the wheat paste lightly onto the paper. If there are still lumps in your paste, do not let them sit on the paper. Smooth the paste with your finger, making sure it is spread in a thin but even coat that covers all the paper.
Step 6
Allow the paste to dry for two to four hours.
Step 7
Add more coats of paste as needed. The more coats you add, the stiffer the paper will become.
