How To Tint Photos With Distress Inks - written by Deborah Leaverton

The practice of tinting photographs died with color photography, but if you'd like to build a heritage page which is just a little different, why not use distress inks to add a hint of color to your antique, black and white or sepia photographs.

I am sure like me you have old photographs which are slightly the worse for wear and what could be nicer than making a Heritage scrapbook? We really have no excuse now that Distress Ink is on the market!

First, scan and print your photograph to be sure that nothing happens to the original. We all have printers now and these clever inks work on inkjet or laser copies so if you happen to have Photoshop or PSE you will be able to edit it, clean it up slightly..... not too much. It would be a shame not to see Great Grandma's face after all this time. You can lighten the shadows, clean up the flaws and take away the dust. When you are finished, you can consider whether you would like it to be sepia or gray scale. Whatever you decide use glossy photo paper for it and print it on "Best" quality. An exciting moment......is this the first time you have been able to look into Great Grandmas eyes ?

Now for the fun bit. Using a very fine paintbrush and taking color from the edge of the ink pad you can bring the picture to colorful life. There are so many wonderful antique colors amongst the distress ink you are bound to find something to tint the face and hair. Don't use a bright color on the clothes, somehow it just doesn't look right.

When you've completed the tint process, put some Distress Ink around the edges, do it with your finger and in no particular way, don't be fussy and leave it to dry well. Then if you have one, you can take the edge distresser and try it on one edge. If it isn't enough, do some more until it really looks its age and you are pleased with it. Always remember this is scrapbooking and the scrapbook is yours, there are no hard and fast rules so the only person to please is you. Great Grandma can't purse her lips in disapproval!

Do you think it might benefit from a fold somewhere that won't detract from the picture, just for a touch of authenticity? If so, try it, after all if it doesn't work out, all that is lost is a piece of glossy paper and some ink. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Now get a piece of medium sandpaper, it doesn't have to be a new piece, and give it a little sanding just around the edges, then if you are feeling brave, scrape it a little bit on the picture itself and now you should be done. A heritage photo done all by yourself, ready for the scrapbook and the actual one still intact in it's box.
For a fun variation try this on a modern photo. Most printers have the facility to print in black and white or sepia without the use of a fancy software program. Baby and wedding pictures look particularly charming when tinted and make a prettily different scrapbook page.

You can see Tim Holtz Distress Inks at Dinglefoot.com where we sell lots of inks and other scrapbooking supplies.