Mature — Over

Allow excess liquid to drip off, then air dry or bake in an oven at roughly 200°F for 5–10 minutes for a "crispy" texture.

: Carefully singe the edges with a lighter or candle to create a charred, "rescued from fire" look.

: Using diluted brown or yellow watercolor paints can create specific aged spots or a varied "foxing" effect common in old books. Darkroom Paper "Maturing" mature over

: Ball up the paper and flatten it back out to create realistic wrinkles.

: Some photographers use "Old Brown" (used and oxidized lith developer) to "seed" a fresh batch, which helps stabilize the development process and produces more predictable "mature" tones. Allow excess liquid to drip off, then air

Developing paper to look "mature" or aged is a creative process often called "distressing" or "aging" paper. You can achieve this effect using common household items to mimic the natural yellowing, staining, and wear that occurs over decades. Methods to Age Paper

: This is the most common way to give paper a brownish, antique tinge. Brew a strong batch of black tea or coffee. Darkroom Paper "Maturing" : Ball up the paper

: Rip the edges unevenly rather than using scissors to mimic natural wear.