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Toilet Paper Roll Collage Papers: Simple, Playful, and Surprisingly Gorgeous
If you’ve ever heard me say that anything can become a collage tool… this project is the perfect example. In the third paper of my Countdown to Collage Breakthrough series, we’re creating stunning, textured collage papers using something you already have in your home, a toilet paper roll!
This December series includes five collage paper techniques (plus one fun bonus!) to help you build a beautiful, harmonious paper collection for my free New Year’s workshop, Collage Breakthrough. By the time January arrives, you’ll have everything you need to create four gorgeous collage projects using foundational design principles.
But first, let’s create our papers.
Why a Toilet Paper Roll?
I love this technique because it’s experimental, accessible, and endlessly customizable. You can wrap almost anything around a cardboard roll and instantly create a brand‑new mark‑making tool. String, bubble wrap, rubber bands, self‑adhesive foam, or any decorative trim you forgot you had.
It’s a reminder that creativity doesn’t come from fancy supplies, but rather from curiosity.
Plus, the supplies are simple. Grab some (empty!) toilet paper rolls, acrylic paints, a small paint roller, gel or matte medium, whatever you’re planning to wrap around the paper roll (twine, string, bubble wrap, rubber bands, anything with texture!), and the papers to print on. I love using old book pages, drawing paper, old collage papers, or “duds” you want to rescue.
How to Make the Prints
1. Build Your Roll
Wrap your items around the roll or glue them directly on. Self‑adhesive foam is especially fun because it cuts beautifully and sticks instantly.
You can:
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Wind twine around the roll
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Glue on rubber bands
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Wrap the roll in bubble wrap
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Cut shapes from foam and attach them
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Use decorative trims
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Or combine multiple textures for layered effects
Trust your inner experimenter here. The “what if…?” moments are where the magic happens.
2. Load the Roller
Pour a small amount of acrylic paint onto your palette and roll through it until the roller is evenly coated.
Then gently roll over your textured toilet roll to transfer the paint onto it.
3. Print on Your Paper
Roll across your papers and watch the pattern appear.
Some impressions will be bold, some subtle, some messy, and all of them can be useful.
And here’s the beautiful part:
A paper that feels “just okay” can transform into something you love with one simple pass of the roll.
I can’t tell you how many “dud” papers became instant favorites with a single roll of paint.
A Few Tips From My Studio Table
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Don’t worry about perfection. The wonkier the texture, the more interesting the print.
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Let gel medium dry completely before rolling paint over anything glued on.
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Use up leftover paint by brushing it across other papers. These often become gorgeous quiet papers.
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Think in values. Make sure to create lights, mediums, and darks in both pattern and quiet papers.
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Try warm and cool palettes. While I’m focusing on cools for Collage Breakthrough, I also made warm versions that I absolutely adore.
After Everything Dries…
I sort every paper (yes, every single one!) into six categories:
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Light Pattern
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Medium Pattern
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Dark Pattern
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Light Quiet
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Medium Quiet
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Dark Quiet
This helps me see what I have plenty of (and what I need more of) before we start creating collages in January.
Sorting may not feel necessary, but it’s one of the most powerful things you can do to set yourself up for making collages that easily come together without overthinking.
Ready for the Next Step?
If you’re enjoying this Countdown series, imagine how fun it will be once we start creating collages with the papers you’re making now.
✨ Join me for Collage Breakthrough — my free New Year’s workshop.
Together, we’ll create four collage projects using dramatic yet simple composition principles that can transform your art.
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to get notified when I post new art demos!
The Supplies to Create These Papers:
- Recycled empty toilet paper rolls
- Small paint roller
- Small things to place on roller:
self-adhesive foam
bubble wrap
rubber bands
ribbon, etc - Choose one or more papers:
Rice Paper, Drawing paper 80 lbs, Copy paper, black paper - Old book pages, old painted collage papers
- Acrylic paint using 2 paint colors (watch color video)
- Palette paper or plastic plate to mix paint on
- Mister water bottle
- Gel medium
Are you interested in learning more about how to incorporate your collage papers into your art?
Check out my Collage Workshops!
