Marbling paper is a method of aqueous surface design that can produce patterns similar to smooth marble or other kinds of stone. The patterns are created by floating color on either plain water or a viscous solution known as size, and then carefully transferring the color to an absorbent surface, such as paper or fabric.

There are several methods for making marbled papers. Some popular techniques include using shaving foam, nail polish, spray paint, oil paint, and food coloring and oil. In Japan, traditional paper marbling is known as suminagashi (“floating ink”) where sumi inks are dropped into a shallow pan of water where they float on the surface. A surfactant made of tree resin is then dropped into the ink, which spreads across the water. Designs are added with a fan or by blowing gently.

The art of marbling paper is very old and historians agree that it has been making paper exceptionally beautiful since the 10th century in Japan. The process was thought to be first developed in China and Japan before traveling to Central Asia, India, Iran, and Turkey before reaching Europe in the seventeenth century. Over time, marbling has been employed as a writing surface for calligraphy and especially book covers and endpapers in bookbinding and stationery.
spam fails_task lang_mismatch pii not_appropriate hate_speech sexual_content quality toxicity humor helpfulness creativity violence