Make Acrylic Ink Dyed Papers Using Momigami Lotion Technique

In this tutorial, we’ll explore using acrylic ink and the Momigami Japanese technique of paper kneading to transform paper into textured, crumpled works of art for your art projects. Whether you’re looking to create a unique background or are just curious about experimenting with paper, this process offers a fun, creative outlet using simple materials you likely already have at home.

Following the steps below, you’ll learn how to combine acrylic ink and the Momigami lotion technique to create unique, ink-saturated papers with rich textures and colors. Let’s get started!

Materials You’ll Need

Before we dive into the process, let’s gather the materials. You don’t need anything fancy—just a few items that are likely already in your home:

• *80 lb drawing paper (120 GSM) – This durable paper holds up well under water and ink without tearing. This is my preference.
• Any type of paper you have with substance should work. A few specialty types of paper include: kozo paper, handmade paper, and mulberry paper
• Acrylic ink (Burnt Sienna by Amsterdam, or any color of your choice) – Acrylic ink is ideal for achieving deep, rich colors. We’ll be using it to saturate the paper.
• Water – To dilute the ink and help it spread across the paper.
• Hand lotion – Used during the final steps of the process to soften the paper, transforming it into a more fabric-like consistency.
• A shallow pan – For soaking and kneading the paper in the ink and water mixture.
• Paper towels or newspaper – To absorb excess ink and minimize mess.

Optional items include gloves (to keep your hands clean) and a flat surface for drying your paper creation

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Workstation

Start by setting up your workstation. Lay down some paper towels or newspapers to protect your work surface from ink spills. Pour a small amount of water into your shallow pan—just enough to submerge your paper.

Step 2: Dilute the Ink

In the shallow pan, pour in a generous amount of acrylic ink. For this tutorial, I used burnt sienna, a warm, earthy tone perfect for autumn-themed projects. Lightly stir the ink and water together until you get an even mixture. You can adjust the ratio depending on how intense you want the color to be.

Keep in mind that more ink will result in deeper saturation.

Step 3: Crumple and Knead the Paper

Take your 80 lb drawing paper and gently crumple it into a ball. The crumples and wrinkles will help create an interesting texture when the ink settles into the folds. Now, gently place the crumpled paper into the ink and water mixture. The paper may be larger than your pan, but that’s okay. Simply knead the paper into the ink, making sure all the surfaces are covered.

As you work the paper into the ink, you’ll notice it shrinking slightly. This is normal! Keep crumpling and kneading to ensure the ink settles deep into the creases.

You can also submerge a flat piece of paper into the ink/water mixture and then crumple.

Remember, this is an experiment. There is no right or wrong way to do this.

Step 4: Saturate the Paper

Once your paper is thoroughly kneaded and crumpled, add more ink if necessary to ensure full saturation. I found that my first round didn’t quite have enough ink to give the paper the rich color I wanted, so I added more ink. Don’t worry about making a mess—part of the fun of this technique is the unpredictability!

You can also experiment with how much you saturate the paper. Some pieces may be more lightly dyed, while others may have more intense colors. Both are valuable for different projects!

Step 5: Let the Paper Dry

After kneading and saturating your paper, it’s time to let it dry. Keep the paper crumpled and set it aside to dry naturally. This will help preserve the texture, and the ink will settle into the folds in unique ways. The drying process can take anywhere from a few hours to overnight, depending on your environment.

Step 6: Experiment with Different Techniques

While your paper is drying, you can experiment with variations of the technique. For instance, try using half a sheet of paper instead of a full one. Fully saturate both sides of the paper, then crumple it up as before.

Another interesting technique involves using newspaper to blot off excess ink before the final crumple. This will give your paper a different texture and reduce the saturation in certain areas. Once again, set it aside to dry without unfolding it. Each piece will have its unique patterns!

Step 7: Review the Results

Once the paper has dried, gently unfold it to see the results. Be careful, as the paper can feel a bit fragile and possibly still damp in the center. What you’ll find are beautifully textured, organic designs where the ink settled into the folds and creases. The dried paper will have a variety of textures and color densities. Some areas will have dark, intense patches of color, while others may be lighter, creating a watercolor-like effect. This variability is what makes this technique so captivating—you never quite know what you’ll end up with!

Step 8: Apply the Momigami Lotion Technique

At this point, the paper is still stiff and very much paper-like, but yet not quite fabric-like as with traditional Momigami paper. To soften the paper, apply a small amount of hand lotion. Gently knead the lotion into the paper as if you’re working dough, focusing on the crumples and folds.

The lotion helps break down the paper fibers, giving the paper a more pliable, fabric-like consistency. You can stop kneading at any point, depending on how soft you want the paper to be. If you prefer a stiffer texture, you can skip this step.

Step 9: Finishing Touches

Now that your paper is soft and crumpled, you can leave it as is or continue experimenting. If you want to add more texture, consider applying additional layers of ink and re-crumpling. 

I like to use this paper in various projects, from Pocket Notebooks to origami jewelry. The 80lb paper holds up exceptionally well during folding and manipulation, which makes it ideal for origami-based designs.

Conclusion: Endless Creative Possibilities

The Momigami-inspired ink-dyeing process is a fun and unpredictable way to create textured, dyed papers. Every piece is unique, thanks to the organic nature of the technique. By adjusting the amount of ink, experimenting with different crumpling techniques, and playing with saturation levels, you can create a wide range of effects—from subtle, delicate patterns to bold, richly saturated textures.

Whether you’re planning to use your paper in scrapbooking, art journals, or origami projects, this technique will give your creations a distinct, handmade feel that can’t be replicated by store-bought papers.

Try it out for yourself, and remember to have fun with the process—you never know what beautiful surprises you’ll uncover!