Metallic Paper Crafts: Tips for Making Your Projects SHINE

Once again, metallics are trending in the paper crafts world. I’ve always been head over heels for metallics. They’re such a fun way to make your projects really SHINE. If you’re wondering how to incorporate the metallic look into your paper craft designs, we’re here to help. Below you’ll find our top tips for using metallics in your paper crafts!

Silver, Gold and White Handmade Cards

Photo via Its Always Autumn

Ready to give paper crafting with metallics a try?

Materials you’ll need:

  • Heavy card stock
  • Metallic pens or spray paint of your choice

Step 1:

Spray paint the desired metallic portion of the paper or design your pattern (polka dots, freestyle it, a personalize saying, you name it!). You will want to use thick card stock to hold up to the paint — thin paper will get wet and flimsy quickly.

For graphic lines and specific paper designs, the paper should be taped off. You must use a non-permanent tape to do this (I’ve found washi tape to work the best). Lay the tape down gently and spray over and around it. You could also spray a section of tape instead of the paper for a more textured look. Stencils work great as well, and just need to be placed gently into position.

Step 2:

Let the spray paint dry.

Tip: If you’re in a rush, metallic pens are a great choice. The downside of using pens vs. paint is pens do tend to dull quickly, so I recommend buying a few extras if you’re working on a big project.

Fun ideas for using metallics on your paper crafts

diy-metallic-storage-sacks

Photo via Almost Makes Perfect

1. Think unconventionally

Metallics are bold, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box when crafting with them. The silver lunch bags seen above are simply brown paper bags that have been spray painted. So clever! I know I wouldn’t mind carting around lunch in a bag that looks like that every day! Try this yourself with silver spray paint, then use scissors to cut the bag down to the desired size. These would make excellent DIY party favor bags.

Paper Flowers Embellishing Small Wrapped PackagesPhoto via Lia Griffith

2. Skip the mess and use metallic paper instead

This saves you a few steps and bypasses the spray painting or pen method. Metallic card stock works wonderfully for card making and scrapbooking. You can find the tutorial for making these pretty metallic paper camellias here.

Brown Paper Gift Wrap with Metallic Design

Photo via Mineco

3. Be creative with your metallic pens

This is one reason I love metallic pens — the sky is the limit on possibilities! You can use stencils, you can freehand it, you can personalize it, you name it! So show your artsy side and design DIY wrapping paper to match when making birthday cards.

Metallic-ConfettiPhoto via Mint Loves Social Club

4. Mix and match metallic with other prints

Metallics can be a bold and they look great paired with something a little on the simpler side like this glitter confetti. The confetti was just made from metallic gold, glitter card stock and a circle punch — that’s what I like to call instant decor!

5. The bigger the contrast, the better it looks

It’s also important to note that metallics do take on a matte finish in most cases, so it’s important to put them on a background with a lot of contrast. Specifically with paper crafting, using darker backgrounds like black or grays, you will be more likely to see the the richness of the color of metallic you choose.

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Explore our growing selection of online paper crafts classes today, including our completely FREE mini-classes Create Stunning Birthday Cards and Spectacular Stamping.

Are you on board with the metallic trend?

Share tips, start a discussion or ask one of our experts or other students a question.

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