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Transform your cards and scrapbook pages into a timeless work of art by distressing your paper. Distressing is a technique used to make paper look old or worn.

Paper can be distressed on the edges or the surface using a variety of tools to achieve different effects. Tools that can be used for distressing paper are ink pads, scissors, sandpaper, or specialty tools from companies such as Stampin' Up!.

To stress the edges of your paper, run the tool of choice along the edge of the paper. For a softer effect, repeat only a few times. The more times you run the tool along the edge of the paper the more drastic the effect will become. If using an ink pad, rub the edge of the paper along the surface of the ink pad.

When using card stock with a white core, surface distressing is very fun and effective. To distress the surface of your paper, use a piece of sandpaper and rub it across the front of the paper from side to side. Repeat this motion from top to bottom to create a cross hatch effect.

Another easy way to distress the surface of your paper is to simply crumple it up and flatten it out again. This is a fun and easy method which requires no tools. However, adhesives may not stick as well to the wrinkled paper.

Whatever method you choose. Distressing is a fun and easy way to add depth, variety and a pleasing visual effect to any paper project.