I have some printed instruction sheets at work that I can recognize easily within a folder, since they are noticeably aged. There's something familiar and comforting about the slightly yellowed, been-in-existence-a-long-time sheet of instructions that reminds me of how often I've needed and profited from them.
Over time, these sheets accumulate hand-written notes on them, but as much as I'd like to edit the document on the computer and reprint it, I know the reprint won't have that cozy loyalty of the old version. It'll start out all new and shiny and easily loseable in a sea of corporate handouts and data. Colored paper seems too pompous for such an earthy cause.
But a "Pre-Age" setting on the copier might help.
This is a setting similar to "darkness", that, if selected, feeds the white paper, after printing, into a dust chamber and then a crinkling module, imparting synthetic thumb dents and guaranteeing that all glare is removed from the paper. The output comes out looking well worn and dependable, just like the original.-- phundug, Sep 05 2006 + I like it, but you can *age* paper by using tea bags and paper towels or holding it over a candle (not too long) for a burnt effect.-- xandram, Sep 05 2006 "can I have a dozen copies of this, say, err, 2 years ago please" (+).-- neilp, Sep 05 2006 "What's happened to your face ? -you look ancient all of a sudden"
"I got it caught in that bloody pre-aging photocopier"
"Never mind. Stick this croissant in your gub, and quit yer gurnin"-- xenzag, Sep 05 2006 Actually, I guess another idea is to leave some blank paper around your office for months and use that in the printer when needed.-- phundug, Sep 05 2006 "And phundug, you say this is George Washington's first draft of the Constitution? Well, the paper looks authentic..."-- DrCurry, Sep 05 2006 Murderous document forger Mark Hacking used chlorine bleach to artificially age his documents.-- bjl8, Sep 05 2006 Oh, you didn't get that report? I sent it to you last mon...Oh, here it is. You must have lost it under your desk.-- sartep, Sep 06 2006 random, halfbakery