How To Create Wrapping Paper

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Making your own wrapping paper is a great way to make a gift more special. The process is simple, and mostly requires applying paint to a sheet of paper that's big enough to wrap your gift in. If painting is not your forte, then there are lots of other options too, such as stickers or markers. Once you know the basic techniques, you can create all sorts of unique designs!

1
Choose a medium-weight paper, then tape it to a flat surface. Thicker paper, such as sketchbook paper or butcher paper will work the best for this project. If the paper is too thin, it may end up getting warped from the paint. Since most paints are opaque, you can use any color of paper you want for this.^[1]
- The paper should be at least big enough to wrap your gift in. Alternatively, you can stamp a larger roll of paper and have more paper for later.
2
Use Q-tips to make a polka dot pattern. Get some acrylic craft paint, poster paint, or tempera paint. Pour it into a small dish or onto a palette to make it easier to use. Dip a Q-tip into the paint, then press it against your paper.^[2]
- You can do a repeating pattern or a random pattern.
- Try different colors for a more unique effect. Use a new Q-tip for each color.
- You can combine this step with any of the other steps in this section!
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3
Wrap some bubble wrap around a rolling pin as an alternative. Cut some bubble wrap to the same circumference as your rolling pin. Wrap it around the rolling pin, bubble-side-out, then secure the seam with a piece of tape. Apply paint to the bubble wrap with a foam brush, then roll the pin across your paper.^[3]
- Acrylic craft paint works great for this, but you can use poster paint or tempera paint too.
- You can use more than 1 color on your bubble wrap. Use a new foam brush for each color.
4
Cut a lemon in half, then use it as a stamp for a bright design. Use a sharp knife to cut a lemon in half. Choose 1 of the halves to use, then pick out the seeds. Pour some paint out onto a palette, then dip the lemon into it. Press the lemon against your paper in a repeating pattern. Re-dip the lemon into the paint as needed. Discard the lemon when you are done.^[4]
- Acrylic craft paint, poster paint, or tempera paint will all work well for this.
- Choose a citrusy-color, such as yellow, orange, or green for best results.
- You can do this with limes, oranges, and grapefruits too!
5
Create a potato stamp for a more hands-on activity. Cut a potato in half, then press a cookie cutter into it. Cut the potato away from the outside of the cookie cutter with a knife; don't cut more than ¹⁄₄ to ¹⁄₂ inch (0.64 to 1.27 cm) deep. Pull the cookie cutter out and pat the potato dry. Pour some paint onto a palette, dip the potato into the paint, then stamp it against a sheet of paper in a repeating pattern.^[5]
- Acrylic craft paint, poster paint, or tempera paint are all great choices for this.
- You can use any type of paper you want for this, including newsprint, brown butcher paper, or white sketchbook paper.
- The paint will fade a little each time you stamp the potato. After 2 to 3 stamps, you will probably need to dip the potato into the paint again.
- Let the paint dry, then add different designs on top to create a more unique pattern!
6
Use cookie cutters to create a delicate pattern. Pour some acrylic craft paint, poster paint, or tempera paint onto a palette. Find a cookie cutter and dip it into the paint. Lift the cookie cutter out, then press it against your paper repeatedly to create a unique pattern.^[6]
- The paint will fade each time you use the stamp. Re-dip the cookie cutter into the paint after every 2 to 3 stamps.
- You can use this technique with other items too, such as plastic cups, metal bottle caps, plastic bottle caps, or even empty toilet paper rolls!
7
Cut a kitchen sponge apart, dip it into paint, then use it as a stamp! Get a plain, clean kitchen sponge. Use a cookie cutter and a marker to trace your design, then cut the design out with scissors. Pour some paint onto a palette then dip the sponge into the paint. Hold the sponge by the edges as you pat it against the paper.^[7]
- You can use acrylic craft paint, poster paint, or tempera paint.
- If you want to use a different color, rinse the sponge out first. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear.
- Don't press the stamp too hard against the paper, or the paint will spurt out.
8
Use traditional rubber stamps for a quick activity. You can use rubber stamps with ink pads or with paint. If you decide to use paint, you should apply it to the stamp with a brush. Press the stamp against the paper in a repeating pattern. If you want to use more colors, wash the stamp first. If you want to create a layered design, let the ink or paint dry first.
- For the paint, you can use acrylic craft paint, poster paint, or tempera paint
- You can use paper in any color you want for paint stamps. If you are using ink stamps, you should use white paper, otherwise the ink won't show up.
- You can use regular printer paper for ink stamps. Ink is light enough that it won't warp printer paper.
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1
Pick out a medium-weight paper, then tape it to your work surface. Choose a heavier paper, such as sketchbook paper or butcher paper. Spread it out on a flat surface, then tape down the corners. The paper should be big enough to wrap your gift in. You can also paint a larger sheet and use it to wrap multiple gifts.^[8]
- If you are working with acrylic paint, you can use any color of paper you want for this section.
- If you are using watercolor paper, stick with white paper, otherwise the paint won't show.
2
Use a coarse-bristle brush to create thin pin-stripes. Get a coarse-bristle brush that is at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide from the hardware store; the ends should be jagged and have spaces between them. Dip the brush into some paint, then lightly run it down your page, from top to bottom. Keep working in rows from 1 side of the page to the other.^[9]
- Because the bristles are jagged, they will create a natural pin-stripe pattern.
- Acrylic craft paint will work the best for this, but you can use other types of paint too, including watercolor!
- If you use too much paint, the stripes may not show up well. If you need to, wipe the brush against a paper towel before you run it against the paper.
3
Run the brush horizontally across the page to create a grid-like design. Use a coarse-bristle brush to paint vertical stripes down your page from top to bottom first. Let the paint dry, then repeat the process, but this time, paint horizontal strokes across the page. Start at the top of the page and work your way down.^[10]
- You don't have to use the same color of paint as you did for the vertical stripes.
- If you choose to use a different color, be sure to wash the brush first.
- Most paints will dry within 10 to 20 minutes, but you can speed the process up with a hairdryer or by setting the paper out in the sun.
4
Swivel a coarse-bristle brush to create spiral dot. Choose a coarse-bristle brush that is half the width you want your dots to be. Dip the brush into some paint, then lightly touch it against your paper. Twirl the brush handle between your fingers; the bristles will form a circular shape. Once you complete a full circle, lift the brush away.^[11]
- You can use any type of paint you want for this, include acrylic craft paint or tempera paint.
- Don't use a pointed or "round" brush. Use a "flat" brush. They come in many different widths.
5
Use a wide brush to make short, diagonal strokes. This design will look more interesting if you use a coarse-bristle brush, but you can use other types too. Choose a flat brush that is at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide. Dip it in some paint, then use it to make short, diagonal strokes across your page. Work from 1 side to the other, starting at the top of the page and finishing at the bottom.^[12]
- You can make the strokes go all in the same direction, or you can alternate directions.
- Metallic paint, such as gold or silver, will really make this design shine!
- Any type of paint will work for this, but acrylic craft paint will work the best.
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Use a pointed "round" brush to make long skinny lines. Choose a pointed "round" brush and dip it in some paint. Run the brush down your page from top to bottom. The brush will create a slightly wavy line, which can look unique. Work your way across the page, from 1 side to the other.^[13]
- Use watercolor for a softer look and acrylic craft paint for a bolder look.
- If you are using watercolor paint, stick with a camelhair paintbrush. If you are using acrylic craft paint, a synthetic taklon brush would be better.
- Use different sized brushes to create thick and thin lines.
7
Free-hand your design for a truly unique gift wrap. Choose some paint, dip your brush into it, then begin to paint your paper. Try different patterns, such as squiggles, wisps, or spirals. If you want to use a different color, be sure to wash your brush first.
- If you want to use watercolor paint, stick with camelhair brushes and white paper.
- If you want to use acrylic craft paint, use synthetic taklon brushes. You can use any color of paper you want.
8
Use stencils for unique patterns if you don't want to draw them out. Place a stencil on top of your paper, then tape down the edges. Pour your paint into a small dish, then dip a foam brush or "pouncer" into it. Lightly tap the brush against the stencil to fill it in. Lift the stencil away, move it to another section of the paper, and repeat the process.
- This technique will work the best with acrylic craft paint, but you can use poster paint or tempera paint too.
- Check the back of your stencil for stray paint. If you see any, wipe it off with a damp cloth.
- You can use a regular flat paintbrush for this. Brush the paint from the outside edges of the stencil towards the middle.
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1
Use a toothbrush and paint to create a spray design. Dip an old toothbrush into some acrylic craft paint. Hold the brush over a sheet of paper, bristle-side-down. Run your finger firmly across the bristles to bend them. As you run your finger across them, the paint will splatter onto the paper and create a spray-like design.^[14]
- Use multiple colors of paint for a more colorful design. Rinse the toothbrush between each color.
- The closer you hold the brush to the paper, the more concentrated the design will be. The further away you hold it, the more wide-spread the design will be.
2
Print out a Zen coloring book page, then color it in with markers. Search the internet for Zen coloring book pages. Find a design with a repetitive pattern and print it out in white printer paper. Color the design in using markers.^[15]
- The coloring book page should be in black and white. Don't use one that's already coloring in, or your design won't be as unique!
- Add details to your design afterwards with metallic markers or glitter glue.
3
Draw designs on colored paper with metallic or gel pens. Get some newspaper or brown butcher paper. Sketch designs on it using pens as desired. Gold or silver pens will give your a fancier, more refined look, but you can also use gel pens in neon, pastel, metallic, or glittery colors too.^[16]
- For a boho look, try geometric patterns, arrows, leaves, or feathers.
- For a birthday, try mimicking confetti or sprinkles.
- Draw some doodles, such as smiley faces, stars, birthday candles, or cats.
- After you wrap the gift, you can draw a fancy tag, then write the person's name in it.
4
Decorate paper with stickers for a quick design. This is a great way to make a plain sheet of paper look for interesting. Most stickers come with white borders, so they will look the best on white paper. If you want to decorate colored paper, look for stickers with clear borders or no borders at all. If you use stickers with white borders on colored paper, it will look obvious.
- For a polka dot design, try round label stickers or binder paper reinforcements.
- Match the stickers to the occasion! Use birthday stickers for birthdays, and Christmas stickers for Christmas.
- Consider the person's interests. If they really like Batman, use Batman stickers.
5
Reuse maps, newspaper, magazine pages, or sheet music. If you don't have the time to make wrapping paper, consider using something that's already colorful or has an interesting pattern. The type of paper you use depends on the size of the gift you are giving as well as the overall theme that you are going for. For example:^[17]
- If the recipient likes to travel, consider using a map.
- For a rustic theme, try newspaper or brown butcher paper. You can complete the look by wrapping the gift with twine.
- If the recipient loves fashion, try some magazine pages. Choose something that might interest them, such as makeup ads, clothing models, or hair cut images.
- Try wallpaper for a fancier gift. It would be even better if you can find embossed wallpaper with an intricate design.
- Use sheet music for the music lover in your life. If you don't have any sheet music laying around, you can find images online and print them out.
6
Use a website with a printing service to design and print your paper. There are some websites, such as Spoonflower, that will allow you to input your own designs, then print them out on various materials, including wrapping paper. After paying a small fee, you will have your own roll of wrapping paper shipped to you!
- Each website will have its own set of instructions, so follow the prompts carefully.
- In most cases, you will need to input a file that's already saved on your computer. A 6 by 6 in (15 by 15 cm) pattern swatch should be sufficient.
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Printable Wrapping Paper

Add New Question

Question

What if I have no paint or stickers?

You can use dried flowers, shapes from patterned paper, printed pictures, origami shapes, etc.
Question

What if the present is not square shaped?

You can try finding a square box to put gift inside, or adjust the wrapping paper accordingly.
Question

How do you wrap the wrapping paper and not rip the edges?

You should try folding the paper in half to give it two layers. This has worked for me before.
Question

Will thin paper work?

Within reason, it doesn't matter how thin or thick the paper is, so long as it isn't see-through. (You want to make sure you won't be able to see the gift through the paper when you wrap it up.) To check for this, try laying the paper over a piece of newspaper and seeing if you can read the letters through it. If you can read the newspaper through the paper, then the paper is too thin to be used for gift wrapping.

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If you make a mistake, don't worry about it. After you wrap your gift, you can cover it with a bow or gift label.
Don't worry about your art skills. If you're not the best than use stencils, stamps, stickers, or even splatter some paint for a fun look.
If using a theme, match it to the event, gift receiver, or gift in some way.
You can use websites, such as Spoonflower, to design and print your own roll of wrapping paper.
Keep the color schemes simple. Don't overdo it with the color.
Be creative and unique by using old scraps of fabric or items you don't use any more.

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Things You'll Need

Medium-weight paper
Acrylic craft paint
Citrus, potato, sponge, etc.
Scissors or knife

Medium-weight paper
Acrylic craft paint
Paintbrushes

Old maps, sheet music, magazines, etc.
Stickers
Pens and markers

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