How Do You Stiffen Paper?

By Staff WriterLast Updated August 04, 2015

In order to stiffen paper, coat both sides of the paper with a fabric stiffening product. Allow the product to dry overnight.

A number of crafts, such as doily streamers and paper snowflakes, call for stiffened paper. Paper is fairly easy to stiffen using the following steps.

Flatten the paper

If the paper has folds in it, heat up an iron to a low setting so that it is warm and not hot. Use it to gently flatten the creases.

Coat the paper with fabric stiffener

Use a fabric stiffening product, such as spray starch or a roll-on stiffener, to coat both sides of the paper.

Let the stiffener dry

Leave the paper to dry overnight.

Projects such as doily bowls call for a harder surface than fabric stiffener can offer. Crafters can use glue to stiffen paper in these projects using the following steps.

Mix glue with water

Dilute white glue with water.

Brush glue onto the paper

Use a paintbrush to brush the glue mixture onto both sides of the paper.

Shape the paper

Shape the paper over a balloon to give it its shape.

Layer the paper

Crafters using thin or delicate paper such as doilies should layer the paper by brushing more of the glue mixture onto the form, adding a layer of paper and then brushing over the paper.

Let the glue dry

Let the glue dry completely, then remove the form.