Damn you, glossy paper.

[Indefinitive]

So, today I went out with a friend to a reuse center. Pretty much people bring their crap and donate it, and you can take as much stuff as you could possibly want for $4. Well, on my way out, I found a box labeled 'Maps'. Now, I absolutely love maps, and have been looking for a big world map to throw on my wall.

Well, today I found it. However, it looks really new, and of course, that's boring. Its also really glossy, so I know that if I attempt to stain it with coffee or tea to make it look older, it won't take. Anyone have any suggestions on how I can do that?

On a side note, yes, I'm fully aware that this is a modern world map, and borders now are different from borders a long time ago. I don't really care. The glossy white is too bright for my room. =P


Also found a map of medieval England, and one with the first flight routes over the oceans. Its amazing what kinds of things people will donate.  

[CapnHarlock]

I have not tried these with glossy paper, so YMMV.

"Glossy" paper is usually due to high clay-content (like magazines), but it might also be a plastic-coating

Roll the dice and soak it in strong tea, and see what happens - if high-clay, it will darken but dry VERY slowly. if coated, it will bubble and get quite nasty.

Or scan it in sections and mess with it using GIMP or Paintshop before reprinting and joining

Or get a rattlecan of light brown spray paint and mist-coat it from a few feet away

[PatronZero]

One thought might be to 'paint' the surface with a sort of semi-opaque 'varnish', not to suggest using furniture sealer but perhaps try the crackle finish products found at most craft stores.

Best of luck !


http://www.altered-book.com/crackle-finish.html

[Otto Von Pifka]

is the back as glossy as the front?

try a matte spray clear finish on the back to see what happens. if it sticks well and knocks down the gloss, you might be able to stain the matte finish.

then another coat to seal that.

[Laserpunk]

Try some brown permanent markers, a sponge, and some polyurethane. It should give it an aged effect. You can spray heavy and light coats in different areas to tweak it. It will also seal your map. Just check it out on a small piece of the map first. If its doesn't bubble or peal, then Bob's your uncle. 

[nellyd]

how about  singeing  with blowtorch

[Mr. Hatchett]

If all else fails, you could use it for a sun shield in your car over the summer.  That would UV cure the coating, which usually makes it brittle and gives it a sickly bronze tint.

[Kevin C Cooper Esq]

you could try a thin wash of acrylic paint, burnt umber or burnt sienna or a combination thereof.

[rovingjack]

well, I'm not sure what sort of paper quality you have and what kind of glossy it is either. My suggestion is that you scan it in parts and print to a better paper for ageing. You can actually pre age the paper the way you want it and print the map onto it with an aged colouring to it. Inkjet will run if wet.

Setting in the sun works some, as does an oven temperature of 200 F (93 c). This is below many plastics cumbustion point, and below papers burning point. if it smells like hot plastic turn it down a little or stop altogether. If you can gradually raise the temp if no plastic smell is present. this will allow you to have control that sun and torches don't. it also allows you to use a spray bottle with water colours to add spatter and splotches as well as an over all colour. The heat will yellow it slightly and it will get darker at corners and creases.

Another option I've heard of is getting a plastic tub with lid, some small plastic containers and some ammonia. The ammonia should age the paper and the ink via the fumes in the sealed tub.

A final option is to get posterboard or something to decoupage it onto and use a tinting medium in the decoupage compaound that will give the right colouring when dry.

That failing you could always commision a peice from artists like myself (it's not as do it yourself and with costs of materials and time you usually would pay thirty dollars or more. But you also get to define the terriotories and age effects you want).

[Indefinitive]

Thank you for your suggestions, gentlemen.