I use deli paper a lot to make my art.
What is Deli Paper? And How is it an Art Supply?!
Deli paper is that thin, slightly waxy paper you might recognize from sandwich shops — it’s meant to separate food, wrap things up, and keep stuff from sticking. In the art world, though, it’s basically magic. It’s lightweight, semi-translucent, and it has just enough “grab” to hold paint, ink, and collage medium without feeling precious.
It’s strong, comes in big sheets, and is cheap. I often buy thousands of sheets of it at once. It’s probably my favorite paper to use for collage. I’ll paint or stamp on it, scribble with markers, add collage bits, and then glue it down over a background like a translucent veil so that you still see what’s underneath, but everything gets softened and pulled together. It’s also amazing for saving “good stuff” from your paint palette: you can simply clean your brayer off onto deli paper, let it dry, and suddenly you’ve got these gorgeous, ready-to-use painted scraps for future pages. It’s one of those simple supplies that makes experimenting feel easy (and low-pressure), which is always a win in my book.
Sorting My Deli Paper Stash
I like to go through my desk-side deli paper stash once a month and decide if the paper is ready to be used or if it needs more layers.
To decide if a sheet is finished, I ask myself: “Would I cut it up and use it today or does it need more layers?”
I look for bold graphics and intense colors with lots of coverage. If the paper doesn’t have these, it goes into the unfinished pile. This helps me figure out what I have, which colors I need to make more of, and which stencils I’ve been using too much.
Knowing what’s in my stash helps me make art. Everyone’s rubric for finished deli paper is different, so you have to figure out what yours is.
Watch the Process in This Video:
If you’re a visual learner, you’ll probably enjoy this watching this video of the deli paper sorting process:
Why Sort?
I find the process of sorting through my deli paper extremely helpful to my art-making. It’s not just “organizing for the sake of organizing” — it’s how I figure out what I actually have to work with. As I sort, I’m reminded of colors and patterns I loved (and might want to make more of), and I can instantly see if I’ve been leaning hard into one color family or another. It’s also a great reality check: have I been using the same stencil over and over and maybe need to give it a little break? Honestly, I really do think that organizing your art supplies is one of the best ways to get yourself ready to make art.
And the best part is that this is such a low-stakes process. If something ends up in the “wrong” pile, who cares? You can always move it later. But doing this little bit of sorting matters to me because it keeps me from drowning in paper — and it helps me stay aware of what’s actually in my stash, so I can use what I already have instead of just making more and more and more.
Final Thought
If you want to level up to a slightly more expensive art supply, deli paper is really close to rice paper. There are some advantages to using rice paper (ex. it’s absorbent) and some disadvantages (ex. it’s absorbent). But that’s a conversation for another day! If you really want to get spendy, Wet Strength Tissue is another thin and strong substrate that collages beautifully!
Thanks for stopping by!
My problem is that I can’t bring myself to get rid of even the tiniest shards of paper if it is a color or pattern that I love. And I love too much! I’m drowning in shards…
My problem is that I can’t bring myself to get rid of even the tiniest shards of paper if it is a color or pattern that I love. And I love too much! I’m drowning in shards…
My problem is that I can’t bring myself to get rid of even the tiniest shards of paper if it is a color or pattern that I love. And I love too much! I’m drowning in shards…
My problem is that I can’t bring myself to get rid of even the tiniest shards of paper if it is a color or pattern that I love. And I love too much! I’m drowning in shards…
My problem is that I can’t bring myself to get rid of even the tiniest shards of paper if it is a color or pattern that I love. And I love too much! I’m drowning in shards…
My problem is that I can’t bring myself to get rid of even the tiniest shards of paper if it is a color or pattern that I love. And I love too much! I’m drowning in shards…
My problem is that I can’t bring myself to get rid of even the tiniest shards of paper if it is a color or pattern that I love. And I love too much! I’m drowning in shards…
Julie;
You always provide such helpful information. This video reminds me to go through my own deli paper stash and start using what I have.
Julie;
You always provide such helpful information. This video reminds me to go through my own deli paper stash and start using what I have.
Julie;
You always provide such helpful information. This video reminds me to go through my own deli paper stash and start using what I have.
Julie;
You always provide such helpful information. This video reminds me to go through my own deli paper stash and start using what I have.
Julie;
You always provide such helpful information. This video reminds me to go through my own deli paper stash and start using what I have.
Julie;
You always provide such helpful information. This video reminds me to go through my own deli paper stash and start using what I have.
Julie;
You always provide such helpful information. This video reminds me to go through my own deli paper stash and start using what I have.
Hi, Julie, I really enjoyed this video. But it brings up a question/suggestion for you. Many years ago I think you did a series of videos on organizing your craft space. Would you think about a new series on how you have your studio space set up, and why you arranged it that way? I’ve been working on my space but can’t get it “right”.
Love your work!
Hi, Julie, I really enjoyed this video. But it brings up a question/suggestion for you. Many years ago I think you did a series of videos on organizing your craft space. Would you think about a new series on how you have your studio space set up, and why you arranged it that way? I’ve been working on my space but can’t get it “right”.
Love your work!
Hi, Julie, I really enjoyed this video. But it brings up a question/suggestion for you. Many years ago I think you did a series of videos on organizing your craft space. Would you think about a new series on how you have your studio space set up, and why you arranged it that way? I’ve been working on my space but can’t get it “right”.
Love your work!
Hi, Julie, I really enjoyed this video. But it brings up a question/suggestion for you. Many years ago I think you did a series of videos on organizing your craft space. Would you think about a new series on how you have your studio space set up, and why you arranged it that way? I’ve been working on my space but can’t get it “right”.
Love your work!
Hi, Julie, I really enjoyed this video. But it brings up a question/suggestion for you. Many years ago I think you did a series of videos on organizing your craft space. Would you think about a new series on how you have your studio space set up, and why you arranged it that way? I’ve been working on my space but can’t get it “right”.
Love your work!
Hi, Julie, I really enjoyed this video. But it brings up a question/suggestion for you. Many years ago I think you did a series of videos on organizing your craft space. Would you think about a new series on how you have your studio space set up, and why you arranged it that way? I’ve been working on my space but can’t get it “right”.
Love your work!
Hi, Julie, I really enjoyed this video. But it brings up a question/suggestion for you. Many years ago I think you did a series of videos on organizing your craft space. Would you think about a new series on how you have your studio space set up, and why you arranged it that way? I’ve been working on my space but can’t get it “right”.
Love your work!
I took a pic of one paper that I liked too much to use. I was able to print it and use it again. I still have the digital copy I made. When I made the copy, I used the original for collage.
I took a pic of one paper that I liked too much to use. I was able to print it and use it again. I still have the digital copy I made. When I made the copy, I used the original for collage.
I took a pic of one paper that I liked too much to use. I was able to print it and use it again. I still have the digital copy I made. When I made the copy, I used the original for collage.
I took a pic of one paper that I liked too much to use. I was able to print it and use it again. I still have the digital copy I made. When I made the copy, I used the original for collage.
I took a pic of one paper that I liked too much to use. I was able to print it and use it again. I still have the digital copy I made. When I made the copy, I used the original for collage.
I took a pic of one paper that I liked too much to use. I was able to print it and use it again. I still have the digital copy I made. When I made the copy, I used the original for collage.
I took a pic of one paper that I liked too much to use. I was able to print it and use it again. I still have the digital copy I made. When I made the copy, I used the original for collage.
Great idea!
Great idea!
Great idea!
Great idea!
Great idea!
Great idea!
Great idea!