Last month I received an email from a subscriber of my Free 7-day Faux Finish eCourse, and she brought up a very good point about the appearance of Paper Illusions. I figured if she was confused about this, she was probably not the only one. Here is what she said,
…I noticed in many of your photos the colors are all blended and the white tear lines do not seem to show, then in others they show a great deal. I personally don’t like the white tear line and I am wondering how to get the more consistent faux look vs. the patchy look…
FAUX FINISH EFFECT #1 (Before)
PaperIllusion(TM) comes on a continuous roll that has the appearance of faux finish painting…meaning there’s a design on the paper of random splashes, swirls and such in different colors. That in itself is a faux finish effect. Click the image here on the right to enlarge and see the paper as it appears on the roll.
FAUX FINISH EFFECT #2 (After)
When you tear it into pieces and apply them to your surface overlapping each piece, it creates an additional faux finish effect. The torn edges are visible. Depending on the color of the paper’s backing, this will determine the color of the torn edges. For example Script Cobalt Blue has a gray backing, whereas Florentine Marble Earth has a white backing (pictured right). Click the image here on the right to enlarge to see the paper as it appears applied to a surface (torn and overlapping).
See the difference?
If you don’t like the second “torn & overlapping” effect, then I would suggest going with a regular faux finish wallpaper that is hung more traditionally in strips (measure, cut, match & hang). While you can alter the look of the torn effect by cutting pieces instead of tearing them creating a crisper edge, the paper is meant to be overlapped when applied. It is not recommended to hang it on a wall like you would with regular wallpaper. You can read more about why in the post, Why Not Hang PaperIllusion in Strips?
Of course, if you are covering an area that is not as wide as 20.5″ (the width of the roll), then you can just cut the paper to cover your whole surface area, and you will only experience the first faux finish effect…the pattern as it appears printed on the roll of paper.
To get a better idea of what the two effects look like, I suggest getting samples first. You then can see the pattern as it’s printed on the paper and then rip the sample & do a test application to see the torn edge effect. 
The Paper Illusions Place
See Photos and Save on All 31 Colors…Samples, Boxes, Mini-Rolls and More
10 responses so far ↓
Laura // Aug 28, 2007 at 9:11 am
I love my paper illusion I covered old tiles in the bathroom , I also didn’t like the white tear showing but if you tear the paper gently it comes out great it takes time also when I didn’t like how a certain spot looked I just put a new piece right over my sister couldn’t believe it …..everyone that sees my bathroom can’t figure it out ……its takes a few tries but it is doable and fun once you get it just try ………
Ginette Schwenn // Aug 28, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Ditto on the white tear lines! I found that if I ripped the paper in one direction (towards me)and got the lines, tearing it in the opposite direction (away from me) I did not get them. Using a scissor to cut the paper did not let the edges blend together on the wall as smoothly as tearing them. I also used a matching watercolor pencil to touch up white lines. A light touch with the pencil and blending with a damp cloth work great. Test the color of the pencil before using to make sure it matches.
Carrie Wigal // Aug 28, 2007 at 1:46 pm
I’ve heard that about cutting the paper vs. tearing the paper…the torn edge blends better.
Where can you find a watercolor pencil to do like your suggesting? My chiropractor’s wife hung the script tuscan red in her bathroom… she didn’t like the gray underside that appeared and she ended up using a “marker” to disguise the torn edge. I’m not sure what exactly she used, but if a watercolor pencil is the way to go, I’m all in favor of finding out how & where to get them. She just moved and would love to use the paperillusion again, but she would rather not see the underside of the paper.
Ginette Schwenn // Aug 28, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Oh sorry, I should have included that the first time! Any craft (Michael’s) store should carry them. Derwent,Praag,Prismacolor are a few names to look for. Also, Crayola metallic pencils worked great (bronze, gold). Watercolor pencils can be used for decorating when a watercolor (muted,blended) effect is desired. I found this to be a better option than markers which were too bold and took away from the Paper Illusions faux look. One exception for the markers is Deco Photo Twin (for touching up photos) which is a subtle coloration.
The meadow green matches perfectly with Fresco Green Paper Illusions. Those can be found at Target.
Libby // Aug 28, 2007 at 5:45 pm
To avoid the “white tear lines”, I use deckle edge scissors to cut my paper instead of tearing it. The look is still torn- just more professional. Another way to avoid the tear lines is to take the next piece you apply and overlap the white torn edges.
Carrie Wigal // Aug 28, 2007 at 10:45 pm
This is all great advice..thanks guys!
Disguising the Torn Edges of PaperIllusion // Sep 6, 2007 at 7:48 am
[…] way to go is cutting the paper instead of tearing it. Libby suggested using deckle edge scissors to give a professional “torn paper” appearance. […]
grnilady // Mar 16, 2008 at 1:33 am
I would like to know how Jane made the wall mural (that looks like tile) for the QVC demonstration. I think that technique would work well as a backsplash. Can you get the instructions?
Carrie Wigal // Mar 17, 2008 at 6:25 am
I’ll see what I can do.
Carrie Wigal // Mar 20, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Hi grnilady,
Ask and ye shall receive! Jane just sent me her instructions and I had it reformatted for easy download. I made it available exclusively for Gold Members at the Paper It Fun! Private Discussion Forum. But since you asked so nicely and got the ball in motion, I’ll send you the direct link to it in an email.
Thanks for asking! Any other ideas?
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