Paper-Lined Trays
Oval and round trays — each priced individually, by its paper; pricing starts around $45
A tray leaves the page in plain view — no lid to lift — so the print stays part of the room. These are examples from past batches.
Shown in an antiqued natural finish
Shown in red milk paint
Shown in green milk paint
A reproduction floral print
A blue-and-white period print
A transferware-style rose print
The same print in a smaller oval
A closer look at a lining
Four trays, in hand for scale
How a page becomes a lining
The interior is painted off-white first, which highlights the print and conceals small imperfections. The page is sealed to strengthen the fibers and fix the ink, coated on the back with adhesive, applied and smoothed by hand, then finished with a clear protective topcoat and a final sealant for long-term durability.
Antique newspaper was never designed to last — small tears or areas of brittleness are accepted and expected, part of each piece’s character. Once a page is sealed into a piece, those imperfections won’t get any worse, and the lining can withstand regular handling. The paper turns out surprisingly tough — when I’ve had to sand off a mistake, it puts up a real fight.
More about the papers, where they come from, and how a piece is priced is on the paper-lined pieces page. How purchasing works.