How to Print on Black Paper

Creating designs to use for different occasions is one of the relaxing aspects of crafting that I thoroughly enjoy. Greeting cards, shadow boxes, t-shirts, or mugs, being able to let my creative flag fly is something that just feeds my soul.

At the beginning of my expanded adventures in crafting, when I started branching out a bit, I found that I quickly became frustrated at the fact that most of what I was creating had to be on white or other color substrates. I don’t know about you, but working with white or light-colored wearables just isn’t my thing. Sometimes, we just need a touch of color!

The struggle was finding a way to move beyond working with those white or light color bases on products, and the search began to find ways to make it work how I envisioned it in my mind. Isn’t that what every artist does? You see something in your mind, and you do your best to bring that vision to life.

Black paper, and dark paper in general, is one of those products I didn’t think I would be able to work with outside of layering different colors on top or using it as a backing for craft projects. As time has passed, so many things have been added to the artist’s toolbox that allows us to write on black paper. Gone are the days when black paper was merely part of the background. Today, I am going to show you a few ways to make that black paper the star of the show!

You might have noticed that black paper does not react the same way that white or light-colored papers do. Regular pens do not show up, and most colors will just soak into the paper, never truly showing the design you are trying to impart to your project. I have found three extremely easy ways to create designs on black paper, and I will be sharing those with you today.

For each method, I used my Cricut Maker 3 to cut the black paper, as well as other materials needed, and I created all my designs in Cricut Design Space. I will go over the extra materials needed for each method as we discuss them below.

I know what you’re thinking, “Didn’t you just say markers won’t work on black paper?” Why, yes, I did. However, there are some pretty fancy options by way of markers these days, and that is how we will be able to make this work!

American Crafts has a few different bundles of metallic markers. The important thing to note here is that these markers are opaque. Opaque markers are what allow us to write on black paper, and not have it soak in. Instead, the ink lays right on top of the paper, shining bright in all its glory. 

For this method, I used the following supplies:

Using Cricut Design Space, I first decided what shape I was going to use for my project, and created said shape in my desired size. Next, I utilized my Cricut assets to choose a border design that I liked. Finally, I typed out the text and found a font that suited the design. Be sure to attach your design to your shape.

Change the type of operation for your design (NOT your shape!!) to a drawing method, or your machine will cut out your design by default. Once you choose “Pen” as your operation, click the square beside it to choose the type of marker and color. 

This helps keep all the colors in line, as your machine will tell you which color to put in first and then walk you through changing the pens for the other colors in your project. Plus, then you get to preview your design and make any color changes to suit your liking.

Click “Make,” loading your cutting machine with the first marker color, and proceed with drawing and cutting your design, changing marker colors as instructed by the on-screen prompts.

Using foil for projects offers a unique way for your designs to shine! With a couple of different options in the crafting world as far as foiling goes, I would encourage you to research what is required for each option, and then choose the option that best suits your needs, as well as your crafting space. 

For this method, I used the following supplies:

Using Cricut Design Space, create a shape and size for your project. Next, choose design elements. Change the operation option to “Foil,” and choose whether you want fine, medium, or bold lines. If you are up for a challenge, change design elements to different foil colors, too! Attach your design to your shape.

Click “Make,” and follow the instructions to add the first foil color to your black cardstock. If you chose a multi-color design, when prompted, remove the first foil carefully, and tape the next foil color down WITHOUT removing the mat.

Heat transfer vinyl (HTV) or iron-on vinyl are beautiful additions to working with black paper!! You get the ease of weeding the design, and you simply place it down on your black paper and press with your heat press, Easy Press, or iron to set the vinyl. Too easy! 

For this method, I used the following supplies:

Using Cricut Design Space, choose your shape and size it to your liking. Next, choose your design elements and place them on your shape. Change the colors of your elements to reflect the colors of the HTV that you will use. Click “Make” to cut your design, make sure to have “Mirror” checked for each color, and place the shiny side of your HTV down on the mat.

Remove your HTV from your cutting mat, and weed out your design. Place your first set of elements on your black cardstock.

Next, I put a piece of parchment over the design and pressed it with my heat press at 280º for 30 seconds. Just like when layering HTV on t-shirts or other projects, make sure you place each layer on one at a time, working from the back layer and up. When all layers have been adhered to the paper, remove all carrier sheets, place parchment paper over your entire design, and press one last time for 15 seconds.

Read the Heat Guide to learn the temperatures and times for heat pressing with HTVRONT Heat Press and Heat Transfer Vinyl.

For those looking to take it up a notch, why not combine these methods? I opted to use HTV for the text and metallic markers for added flair. The result? A one-of-a-kind creation that truly stands out!

Whew! That was a lot of fun, wasn’t it? We learned three new ways to print on black paper, and you even got a bonus method thrown at you to try. In the crafting world, new methods can often seem a little intimidating. More often than not, however, we drive ourselves crazy for nothing. 

Each of these methods above is easier than they look, and once you have mastered these methods, I bet you will be eager to try even more methods! So go put these to the test, get creative, and try your combination methods, and be sure to come back and share all your adventures with us!