How to Make Wax Paper Resist Backgrounds for Mixed Media

This mixed-media background technique creates a really interesting resist effect on your papers or art journal by using everyday household supplies.

I love art and techniques that let me use random household items. There’s something gratifying about it. You don’t have to go out to buy anything special, plus the neat fact that something that usually lives in the kitchen drawer can produce such cool art effects.

And today, I’m going to show you how to make a fun resist background using wax paper and spray inks.

This technique does require a little extra setup, though. It involves ironing, so you'll need those supplies.

• Wax paper

• Card stock

• Spray ink

• Iron or craft iron

• Ironing board/heat-safe surface

• Scrap paper to protect your surface/iron

How wax paper resist works:

When you iron crumpled wax paper between sheets of cardstock, some of the wax transfers to the paper along the creases. Those waxy areas resist the ink you add afterward, revealing the crinkled pattern.

Wax paper resist tutorial:

Step 1: Tear off some wax paper

Use wax paper and not parchment paper. Parchment paper is lined with silicone, making it good for baking. But we want the wax on wax paper to melt off of it. Plus, it's waxed on both sides, making it twice as usable.

Step 2: Crumple the Wax Paper

And then uncrumple it.

Step 3: Make Your Paper Sandwich

Place the crumpled wax paper over a piece of card stock.

Then place another piece of card stock on top of the wax paper.

Step 4: Iron the Layers

Take your hot iron and press it on the card stock.

Be careful around the edges so that you don't get wax on your iron. A good idea would be to place a piece of newspaper-like material over the card stock so you won't have that problem at all.

I got myself a little craft iron. Isn't it cute? Not that I iron clothes at all anyway, haha.

It will be difficult to tell that you did anything at all. But don't worry. You'll discover the pattern in the next step.

See my background technique that utilizes an iron with embossing powder and ink.

Step five: Separate the card stock and add spray ink

Both pieces of cardstock receive wax from opposite sides of the wax paper, so one ironing session creates two usable backgrounds.

As you add the spray ink color, the resist patterns will start to appear.

Neat huh?

Use multiple colors to make it even more interesting.

And since you have two pieces of waxed card stock, you get to do it twice!

Troubleshooting:

Wax resist isn’t showing?

• Make sure you’re using wax paper, not parchment.

• Be sure the iron is hot enough to transfer the wax.

• Crumple the wax paper enough to create plenty of creases.

• Try increasing the contrast/darkness of the ink.

Getting wax on your iron?

• Keep the wax paper completely sandwiched between a protective paper

Pattern looks too subtle?

• Crumple the wax paper more tightly before flattening it.

What can I make with wax paper resist backgrounds?

• Journal pages

• Artist trading cards

• Handmade cards

• Collage papers

• Tags

• Rolodex/art cards

• Die-cut embellishments

Here is an altered Rolodex card I made from one of these backgrounds:

Frequently asked questions

Can I use parchment paper instead of wax paper?

No—the wax is what creates the resist.

What kind of ink works for wax paper resist?

Other versions of this technique also commonly use dye inks.

Can I use a regular iron?

Yes, but protect it carefully from the wax.

Does wax paper resist work on glossy cardstock?

Other established versions of the technique specifically use glossy cardstock. 

However, I tried doing this technique using gloss paper, and I felt the pattern was more difficult to see, as pictured below:

For more techniques using spray inks, see:

• Stamping With Ink Spray

• Creating Texture with Rubber Bands

• The Magic of Spray Ink On Gesso

• Acrylic Resist Background

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