Paper Marbling with Nat Maks

A step-by-step guide from House & Garden

Have a go at paper marbling? This calming, colourful technique involves floating ink on water, creating swirled patterns, and transferring them onto paper — and it’s much easier to start than it looks. Follow along with this step-by-step guide from House & Garden, created in collaboration with Nat Maks, a 2024 QEST Scholar and surface pattern artist based in Margate.

The article walks you through the basics, starting with just one colour and some flow aid to get used to how the ink moves. Once you’re comfortable, you can play with multiple colours and techniques to create your own unique prints. All you need is a bit of workspace, some drying room, and the curiosity to see what patterns appear.

Click here to read the full tutorial

Surface pattern design sits at the intersection of craft, design, and art — and paper marbling can be used for everything from printmaking and stationery to textiles, bookbinding, or even interior products like lampshades and wall art.

It’s also a great introduction to the world of decorative arts, where you might end up combining traditional skills with digital design, collaborating with makers, or starting your own line of products.

For more inspiration and marbling projects you can try at home, check out Nat Maks’ book: Paper Marbling: Learn in a Weekend