<blockquote>
  <p>Is spray paint usable for this purpose, or is there a better tool?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>When I started reading this spray paint is what came to mind. It seems the best  way to get even coverage with minimal effort. Now that can be considered a broad suggestion given the many varieties of paints out there but most should be more than sufficient for this. </p>

<p>Spray paint allows you to reach all the surfaces, contours and crevasses of the model without having to handle it too much. Just sit it on some paper and spray the model from enough distance that you are not saturating it. This should help prevent beading and dripping of the paint. With something like a crane the points should keep it elevated enough to not need help keeping of the ground.  </p>

<p>There is still a possibly that this could warp the model. Since you are applying a liquid to one side of the paper it could cause the model to curl as it dries. This can happen with almost anything you would apply. Making multiple light coats can mitigate this.  </p>

<p>Always be sure to wear protective gear, like face masks and goggles, and work in an open and well circulated area.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-15T19:06:57.273Z
I've heard that spray paint can warp paper. Do you know if this is true? Though I suppose I can always sacrifice a couple of sheets to find out...
jackwise
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-15T19:08:58.817Z
That is part of the "distance" comment in the answer. You want to spray from a distance as to not get it too wet too quickly. I have to update the answer though with a point that you bring up.
Matt
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-15T19:12:19.413Z
If you attempt multiple light, even coatings, it should significantly reduce the chance of too much paint dampening/warping the paper.
Erica
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-15T19:12:51.527Z
@Erica I just updated with that very same thought a moment ago!
Matt
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-15T19:13:10.007Z
great minds think alike :) (or crafty ones, at least)
Erica
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-14T10:19:21.443Z
Ekaterina Lukasheva recently published a blog post about spray painting completed models. She suggests putting the model inside a cardboard box to minimize the mess: [blog post here](https://blog.kusudama.me/2017/10/28/spray-painting-origami-paper/)
Michał Kosmulski
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-15T19:05:14.347Z
2016-07-15T19:13:55.470Z
2016-07-15T19:13:55.470Z
Matt
<p>My first thought would be an airbrush. The problem with spray paint is that it can splatter, warp the paper, and is hard to control on small surfaces. An airbrush is nice and small, easy to control, and perfect for something like this.</p>

<p>You probably don't want to buy an airbrush to use only once, so maybe try a cheaper alternative. There are things called BloPens (not really sure how good they are) that spray a thin layer of ink. If you have Copic markers already, there's the Copic airbrush kit, and as a last resort, some cheap brush markers.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-20T20:43:13.647Z
2020-05-21T13:57:51.250Z
2020-05-21T13:57:51.250Z
DripKracken
<p>A friend of mine gifted me a paper crane out of regular printer paper, and I'd like to spruce it up if I can do so, without having to just scribble at it with a marker for hours on end. </p>

<p>In short, I'd like something that can give it a (mostly) even coat of color without taking more than a half hour, and while maintaining the integrity of the crane. Is spray paint usable for this purpose, or is there a better tool?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-16T20:39:00.710Z
As a folder, I have to ask, wouldn't it be easier to use a piece of colored/printed paper and just fold another crane? :) [It is a very basic traditional model](http://www.origami-fun.com/origami-crane.html).
inkista
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-18T13:09:22.853Z
@inkista That would defeat the purpose of preserving the one my friend gifted me.
jackwise
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-21T16:01:42.170Z
Technically speaking, doesn't spraying it with color also change, therefore **not** preserve, the work of art you were gifted?
rebusB
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-27T09:07:21.393Z
You may find this blog post useful (Firefox currently warns about expired certificate): https://blog.kusudama.me/2017/10/28/spray-painting-origami-paper/
Michał Kosmulski
<paint><origami>
What can I use to quickly color already-folded origami?
jackwise
# What can I use to quickly color already-folded origami?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-07-15)

A friend of mine gifted me a paper crane out of regular printer paper, and I'd like to spruce it up if I can do so, without having to just scribble at it with a marker for hours on end.

In short, I'd like something that can give it a (mostly) even coat of color without taking more than a half hour, and while maintaining the integrity of the crane. Is spray paint usable for this purpose, or is there a better tool?

**Tags:** paint, origami

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: As a folder, I have to ask, wouldn't it be easier to use a piece of colored/printed paper and just fold another crane? :) [It is a very basic traditional model](http://www.origami-fun.com/origami-crane.html).  
> **username_0**: @username_1 That would defeat the purpose of preserving the one my friend gifted me.  
> **username_2**: Technically speaking, doesn't spraying it with color also change, therefore **not** preserve, the work of art you were gifted?  
> **username_3**: You may find this blog post useful (Firefox currently warns about expired certificate): https://blog.kusudama.me/2017/10/28/spray-painting-origami-paper/  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2016-07-15. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

> Is spray paint usable for this purpose, or is there a better tool?

When I started reading this spray paint is what came to mind. It seems the best way to get even coverage with minimal effort. Now that can be considered a broad suggestion given the many varieties of paints out there but most should be more than sufficient for this.

Spray paint allows you to reach all the surfaces, contours and crevasses of the model without having to handle it too much. Just sit it on some paper and spray the model from enough distance that you are not saturating it. This should help prevent beading and dripping of the paint. With something like a crane the points should keep it elevated enough to not need help keeping of the ground.

There is still a possibly that this could warp the model. Since you are applying a liquid to one side of the paper it could cause the model to curl as it dries. This can happen with almost anything you would apply. Making multiple light coats can mitigate this.

Always be sure to wear protective gear, like face masks and goggles, and work in an open and well circulated area.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I've heard that spray paint can warp paper. Do you know if this is true? Though I suppose I can always sacrifice a couple of sheets to find out...  
> **username_4**: That is part of the "distance" comment in the answer. You want to spray from a distance as to not get it too wet too quickly. I have to update the answer though with a point that you bring up.  
> **username_5**: If you attempt multiple light, even coatings, it should significantly reduce the chance of too much paint dampening/warping the paper.  
> **username_4**: @username_5 I just updated with that very same thought a moment ago!  
> **username_5**: great minds think alike :) (or crafty ones, at least)  
> **username_3**: Ekaterina Lukasheva recently published a blog post about spray painting completed models. She suggests putting the model inside a cardboard box to minimize the mess: [blog post here](https://blog.kusudama.me/2017/10/28/spray-painting-origami-paper/)  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2020-05-20. Score: 1

My first thought would be an airbrush. The problem with spray paint is that it can splatter, warp the paper, and is hard to control on small surfaces. An airbrush is nice and small, easy to control, and perfect for something like this.

You probably don't want to buy an airbrush to use only once, so maybe try a cheaper alternative. There are things called BloPens (not really sure how good they are) that spray a thin layer of ink. If you have Copic markers already, there's the Copic airbrush kit, and as a last resort, some cheap brush markers.


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