tearing paper

[123SA]

Hpw do you tear paper so that it looks nice? I usually end up spending way too much time of this and wrecking a bunch of paper along the way. Are the rulers that help you tear any good?

 

[hopemax]

I don't tear very often because of this. What works best for me is wet a q-tip and trace where I want the line to be, then tear.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

As for the rulers.. I have had no luck w/ them.. I use the same method as Hope..but my paper tearing days are few and far between!

 

[123SA]

I was hoping they were effective. I really like the look, but I don't like the amount of effort. Sometimes I put the paper in my cutter, but instead of running the blade, I just pull the paper up along the rail. Thia is quick, but a little too uniform and not very ragged. I'll try the wet q tip method. Thanks

 

[Yzerbear19]

I like the rulers. I used mine quite a bit. The key is to make sure you have at least an inch or so to hold while you rip. It doesn't work as nice if you have less.

Here are some examples of layouts where I've used the torn edges using the rulers:

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I use the rulers too. You can't just rip with them though, you have to go slow.

 

[123SA]

What is the name of the rulers you have used successfully?

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Not sure if there is an actual name but they are made by Plaid.

 

[Yzerbear19]

The ones I have are by Fiskars and I got them at Joanns. I've seen the Plaid ones at Michaels.

 

[Twigs]

I don't have the rulers, but have made some of my own. I use a long piece of sturdy cardboard and cut along one edge of it with those decorative edge scissors and that has worked for me. When the edge gets a little ragged, I just make a new cut. I also do the q-tip with water if I am not using the cardboard.

 

[tzuhouse]

I tear by hand. If I'm going for the torn look, I don't want it too straight anyway. I tend to have some sort of tearing in almost every layout I do. I also tend to age my torn elements with a sepia/black combination so that it really has that torn/aged look. I used chalk in the beginning, but prefer the ink.

Mary

 

[katelynsmommy2001]

I am addicted to tearing paper in my albums! I think the faster I go, the better the tear looks. I lay it out on my desk and start at the top and rip towards you if you want the white to show, otherwise you tear the other way. I love the look of that jagged white paper. You would think that paper tearing was the only thing I knew how to do if you saw my Disney albums!! It is crazy how much I do it!! Maybe I should start a 12 step program for paper tearing addicts!!