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If you read my other post on why paper acidity is important you'll know that the pH of a paper can effect how well it ages.  What do I mean?  Well will the paper discolour, become brittle and damage other parts of the work or will it stay in it's white, unchanged state.  The chemicals in some papers can create an acidic foundation for your art.  The acid can come from the fibre composition of the paper (lignin in wood pulp is high acid) or from treatments but as it breaks down it can seep that acid into the work and damage it, not what you want from a piece of work you have spent hours over.

If you've ever pulled out an old scrapbook or photo album only to find the pages turned brittle, yellowed, and crumbling at the edges, you've seen paper acidity in action. For crafters, scrapbookers, bookbinders, and mixed-media artists, understanding acidity isn't just a technical curiosity — it's the difference between a piece that lasts for decades and one that destroys itself (and anything touching it) within a few years.

This guide breaks down what paper acidity actually is, how to test for it, and what it means for the long-term survival of your art.

As teabag paper grows in popularity for printmaking and crafts, more suppliers are entering the market. Unfortunately, not all materials being sold as “teabag paper” are genuine teabag paper.

In many cases, buyers are actually receiving wet strength tissue or other similar papers - very different products with different performance characteristics.

So how do you know whether what you have received is the real thing or an imposter?

Here’s what you need to know before you place your next order.

As we have covered in previous blog posts cyanotype photography is an alternative form of creating photographic images. Two chemicals are mixed together creating a photosensitive solution which can be used to coat paper or fabric. This solution is allowed to dry in darkness as it is sensitive to UV light. Once dry it's ready for use and it can be exposed. In this project I'll walk you through the whole process from coating the paper to creating a framed print.