5 Ways to Add Texture - Without Using Texture Paste
Showcasing our Design Team’s creative brilliance
Texture doesn’t have to mean thick mediums and heavy tools. Some of the richest, most engaging pages are built using clever layering and surface detail. Here are five texture techniques — along with inspiring examples from our Scrappingclearly Design Team — that you can recreate with products available in the Scrappingclearly shop.
1️⃣ Layered Ephemera Clusters – Tracey Beer Style
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Featured example:
In this layout, Tracey places a variety of ephemera beneath and around the photo, using foam tape to lift key elements and create shadow play. Notice how the layered bits guide your attention toward the story.
Tracey has used on her page - Lucky Findings Imagery - It's a gal thing , Dylusions spray inks , Letter stickers, Stencil with Dina Wakley paint (Sky), Stencil with Bo Bunny glitter paste (Bubblegum), Vicki Boutin ephemera, Heidi Swapp stickers (Sun Chaser and Carefree), 49 & Market diecuts, Heidi Swapp puffy stickers (Favorite Things) & Heidi Swapp dipped tags
2️⃣ Rub-Ons for Subtle Surface Detail – Emma Zappone Magic
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Rub-ons are ideal for adding texture that doesn’t interfere with bulk — they sit right on the surface and feel naturally integrated.
Featured example:
In this piece, Emma applied delicate rub-ons across the background and edges, adding subtle visual texture that complements stamped details and layered papers. The effect is soft, rich, and unifying.
Emma has used on her page -
Lucky Findings Imagery Sheets, Rub ons
3️⃣ Stencil with Ink Instead of Paste – Tracey Lea Henly Inspiration
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Stencilling with inks or paints through a stencil gives you repeated patterns and visual texture — without adding physical height.
Featured example:
Tracey uses a patterned stencil with distress inks to create a subtle background pattern that ties all the cluster elements together, adding implied texture and movement.
Tracey has used on her page -
Tim Holtz distress inks in Hickory Smoke and Tea Dye , Tim Holtz stencils and Aall and Create ephemera
4️⃣ Torn & Distressed Paper Edges – Georgia Arthur Edge Play
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Featured example:
Georgia tears and inks several layers of patterned paper, adding a raw, earthy texture that suits the theme beautifully. The distressed edges lead the eye inward toward the focal point.
Georgia has used on her page -
49 & Market plum grove, papers, this gorgeous imagery Little Peacock from LuckyFindings.
5️⃣ Paint for Organic Movement – Lisa Oxley Expressions
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Whether it’s painting, dry brushing, splattering, or scraping, paint introduces variation and energy across the surface.
Featured example:
In this example, Lisa uses a acrylic paint with stencils to add movement behind the main elements. The paint marks provide contrast and visual texture without heavy buildup.
Lisa has used on her page -
DWM Black Gesso, Ranger Dylusions Square Journal, DWM Bee Hive honeycomb, gelli plate, Inktense , beehive stencil, DWM Gesso, Prismacolour pencils, Darkroom Door background stamp, fudeball black pen, splatter girl stamp, Dorlands wax mediumTexture Is More Than Thickness
True texture comes from contrast, layering, repetition, shadow, movement, and intentional detail — and our Design Team has shown us gorgeous ways to achieve it in every style.
Take inspiration from these examples, swap products from your stash, and layer boldly.
Until next time enjoy the process, lean in to the chaos of creativity
