How to Make Buddha Board / Zen Board / Magic Water Paper

I've been experimenting with hotfix adhesive for various crafts, and after finding a Buddha board at a thrift store, I knew just what to try next! It turned out great even with cheap materials, so I hope you find this tutorial useful :)

Tissue OR tissue paper OR thin rice paper

Colored smooth cardstock paper

Thick cardstock paper (or multiple layers)

A flat water-resistant backing (Plastic, sealed hardwood, etc)

An Iron

Hotfix Adhesive

Different tissue/tissue paper/rice paper will have different end results. I used a cheap one-ply napkin for this tutorial and ironed it to minimize the pattern. First, iron the hotfix adhesive sticky-side down on thick card stock (used as an absorbent layer). Let cool, then peel off the top layer of hotfix.

Lay down a sheet of colored smooth cardstock - I use 65 lb (most common thickness) and iron it to the white/thick cardstock. Be careful not to let the iron touch the sticky side of the hotfix adhesive. Only press down for ~10 seconds with a hot iron at most - hotfix activates fast. Let cool.

Repeat step 1-2 with a tissue to hotfix to colored cardstock (I really rushed this sample sorry.) Let cool. This is the "finished" buddha board / magic paper - you can then glue it to a backing on your choice with adhesive of your choice (though avoid using hotfix on plastic).

This example board bleeds a bit and dries quickly, yet is a perfectly functional Buddha board. Other material combinations may vary in effect - Have fun exploring!