New to Carnival Papers? Discover simple tutorials and creative inspiration for using wet strength tissue paper in lantern making, gelli printing, collage and mixed media art.
Our wet strength tissue paper is loved by artists, lantern makers, printmakers and mixed-media creators because it stays strong even when wet and creates beautiful translucent layers.
If this is your first time using Carnival Papers, you’re in the right place. Here you’ll find simple tutorials, creative ideas and inspiration to help you start experimenting straight away.
Gelli Printing | Lantern Making | Mixed Media | Why Our Tissue is Different | Quick Tutorial | Artist Inspiration | More Techniques
What Will You Create?
Many artists discover Carnival Papers in different ways. Choose the project that interests you most and jump straight to the tutorial.
I Want to Try Gel Printing I Want to Make a Lantern I Want to Try Mixed MediaIf you're new to Carnival Papers, these simple projects are the perfect way to begin experimenting with wet strength tissue paper.
Gel Plate Printing
Perfect for monoprints, art journals and layered collage.
Wet strength tissue paper works beautifully with gel plates, making it a favourite surface for printmakers and mixed media artists. Unlike standard tissue paper, it stays strong when paint or moisture is applied, allowing you to lift prints cleanly without tearing.
Simply roll acrylic paint onto your gel plate, press a sheet of Carnival Papers tissue onto the surface and lift it to reveal soft, layered prints. The translucent quality of the paper also makes it perfect for building depth when layering prints in collage or mixed media work.
See Wet Strength Tissue Paper in Action
This quick tutorial shows how to create beautiful layered prints using a gel printing plate and wet strength tissue paper. The strong fibres of the tissue allow it to lift delicate paint textures, making it ideal for collage, mixed media art and printmaking experiments. Perfect for artists, workshops and creative studios exploring surface design.
Read our guide explaining why wet strength tissue paper works so well for gel printing.
Ready to give gel printing a try? Explore our gel plate printing accessories
See Gel Plate Tutorial
Lantern Making
Create glowing lanterns for festivals, parades and sculptures.
Wet strength tissue paper is ideal for lantern making because it remains strong when wet while still allowing light to shine through beautifully.
The paper can be layered over simple frames made from willow, wire or card structures, creating translucent surfaces that glow when illuminated.
Because the tissue holds together when paste or glue is applied, it is easy to build up multiple layers without tearing, making it perfect for both simple lantern projects and large sculptural lanterns.
See Wet Strength Tissue Paper in Action
This quick tutorial shows how to create a simple lantern using willow sticks and wet strength tissue paper. Ideal for lantern parades, art installations and community workshops.
See examples of the incredible lanterns our customers have created.
Ready to create your own lantern? Discover our lantern making accessories.
Lantern Making Tutorial
Mixed Media
Build layered textures in sketchbooks, canvases and collage.
Wet strength tissue paper is a versatile material for mixed media and collage because it combines strength with a beautiful translucent quality.
Artists can tear or cut the paper into shapes and layer it with acrylic paint, gel medium or drawing materials to build texture and depth.
Unlike ordinary tissue paper, it remains strong when wet, allowing you to blend colours, overlap layers and experiment freely without the paper breaking down.
How Artists Use ItWhat Makes Carnival Papers Special
Carnival Papers wet strength tissue is designed for artists and makers who want a strong, versatile material that performs beautifully in creative projects.
- Strong even when wet
- Perfect for layering and collage
- Beautiful translucent finish
- Acid free for artwork
- Ideal for lantern making and sculpture
Artist Inspiration
Artists around the world use Carnival Papers for printmaking, sculpture and lantern making.
Share your work with #carnivalpapers
Explore More Techniques
Discover more tutorials and creative ideas for working with wet strength tissue paper.