How to use wet strength & run resistant tissue papers
7 October 2021
There are major differences between white wet strength tissue and colour run resistant tissue papers. This quick guide explains how to use each of them correctly.
How to use white wet strength tissue paper
Even if you intend to have a coloured lantern or sculptural piece, the first tissue to use is white wet strength tissue paper. Used properly, this will provide strength and a base for the coloured tissue paper to be applied to. More on that later.
White wet strength tissue paper stays in tact and strong when wet. It can be used in strips, squares or whole sheets. Half sheets work well on pyramids, quarter squares for spheres while strips are ideal for star and moon shapes. It is easier to tear or cut the sheet to size while dry.
The covering process can get a little messy, so be sure to wear appropriate clothing and work on a surface which is easy to wipe!
The Sharing Arts Society in Utrecht making a horse
The glue
Stick the white wet strength tissue paper to the framework of your lantern or sculpture with diluted PVA glue. Red PVA can be removed by washing. Black PVA glue provides extra durability, is safe to use with children but is NOT washable.
The PVA glue needs to be diluted. Mix it with water in a bowl or bucket. You are trying to achieve a consistency similar to single cream. The mixture should run off a stick easily. As a guide, try 1 part glue to approximately 1.5 – 2 parts water.
When your mixture is ready, take a sheet of the torn or cut to size white wet strength tissue paper and crumple it up. Next, dunk it in the glue mixture so that it is completely covered. Remove the tissue paper and give it a good squeeze. You should be holding a lump of soggy paper! Carefully tease open the tissue paper to create a flat sheet. Then, gently stretch it over and around the framework of your lantern/sculpture. Smooth out any creases with your fingers or a sponge dipped in the PVA glue/water mixture. Continue in this fashion until the framework has been covered with two layers of white wet strength tissue. Leave to dry.
How to use colour run resistant strong tissue
Colour run resistant tissue should only be used to decorate a lantern or sculptural piece. While it is run resistant it is NOT wet strength. It can be applied to white wet strength tissue paper or cling film.
Do NOT soak colour run resistant tissue paper. It can be applied dry to a glued surface and/or gently sponged with a solution of PVA glue and water. Gently dab the run resistant tissue, do not drag the tissue or it may disintegrate.
Once dry, the decorated/painted lantern or sculpture can be coated with an additional mixture of PVA glue and water. To further improve the waterproof quality of a piece, paint with diluted Copydex glue.
