Ever gone looking for the perfect ribbon… only to realize it’s not the right colour? Been there. Many times. The truth is, when you know how to colour ribbon and twine, you’ll never be held hostage by your craft stash again.
Today I’m sharing three easy ways to colour ribbon and twine for paper crafting — using supplies you already own. Plus, you’ll see one way you definitely don’t want to try (yep, I tested it so you don’t have to).
Let’s Talk About the Ribbon Stash
Confession time. I’ve collected hundreds of rolls of ribbon over the years. 😬 Spools of satin, linen, crinkle, sheer, jute… you name it, I’ve probably hoarded it. I’ve even sold some off each year (which barely made a dent)!
But you know what? I don’t want to do that anymore. Buying every colour under the crafting sun isn’t sustainable…for my wallet or my storage drawers.
That’s why I started experimenting with ways to make what I already own work harder. Turns out, it’s ridiculously easy to create any ribbon colour you need, and the results look like something right out of a catalogue.
Three Ways to Colour Ribbon and Twine
You can catch all three ideas in the Ink Paper & Play LIVE replay. Each one takes only a short time, and I’ve shared my tips and tricks and my fave.
1. Colour Ribbon with Stampin’ Write Markers
The easiest place to start? Your Stampin’ Write markers. They’re great for adding soft washes of colour to lighter ribbons or for matching tones in your cardstock.
- Lay your ribbon or twine flat on scrap paper.
- Use the brush tip to colour along the length, flipping over to fill in any lighter spots.
- If you colour your twine, it will roll around and you will need to go over it a couple times…or not (see sample below).
- The result is gentle, natural colour that won’t stiffen the ribbon.
Tip: Make sure you let it dry.
I used a Shaded Spruce to colour this Linen Thread on my Merry & Bright card. Notice the lighter and darker spots from the marker not getting all the way around the twine…that’s the look I was going for to match my alcohol marker background. (to see this technique, head to this post.)
2. Colour Ribbon with Stampin’ Blends
Next up? Your alcohol markers. These give you deeper, more vibrant colour and a lovely even finish.
- Swipe your Stampin’ Blends along the ribbon, either side to side or down the length. Be sure to use a gentle touch.
- It dries almost instantly, but you’ll notice the ribbon is a bit stiffer than it was.
When to use this method: Anytime you want rich, saturated colour. Think bold bows, statement tags or eye-catching accents like on my gift card holder.
3. Use Ink Refills for Custom Hues
If you’re after a cool hand-dyed look, grab your ink refills and turn them into your own mini ribbon bath.
- Add a few drops of ink refill to a small container. I added water but you can also try rubbing alcohol.
- Dip in your ribbon or twine and leave it to get as dark as you want.
- Place it on your silicone craft sheet to dry (or hang it up to drip and then dry).
Tip: Let it dry thoroughly so you don’t pick up colour when handling it. Every piece will dry slightly differently, so you’ll end up with a lovely, organic look.
Bonus: Mix a few refills together for your own signature hues.
I love how dark this Cherry Cobbler piece became.
What Not to Do!
Okay, learn from my oops. I tried colouring white twine by dragging it across my ink pad. Quick, yes — but also disastrous. It damaged the surface of my pad and is permanently scarred. 😮
So skip the ink pad swipe method especially for twine. Trust me. It’s not worth sacrificing your ink pads!
Never Buy Coloured Ribbon Again
Get all the tips, and see an alternative project in the video!
So which one of these little treatholders is your fave? I think I’m a bit partial to the googly sunglasses ghost.
How to Make This Idea Your Own
Once you’ve tried these methods, the possibilities are endless:
- Match ribbon perfectly to your DSP or cardstock.
- Tint linen thread or baker’s twine for a soft coordinated look.
- Create pastel tones for spring or rich, dramatic shades for fall.
- Dip just the ends for a trendy, dip-dyed style.
You’ll suddenly see that giant stash of ribbon as a creative playground instead of a storage headache.
You’ll see all three of these coloured-ribbon ideas in action on last week’s Ink Paper Play Live replay right here on YouTube.— and they coordinate perfectly with the techniques from One Simple Trick for Cards and More: Emboss Punch WOW and Last Minute Treatholders with Scraps.
Want to craft alongside me next time? Join Ink Paper & Play LIVE every Wednesday at noon MT for more bite-sized, creative fun. You can sign up to get notifications by clicking the box below.
Ready to Try It?
Grab those neutral ribbons, pull out your markers and refills, and start experimenting! Once you know how to colour ribbon and twine, you’ll never have to buy every colour again — you’ll just make it yourself and smile every time you open that drawer!
