Using props in a role-playing game to pass on a handwritten note or clue can really add to the atmosphere of a game. Using Adobe Photoshop it is really very easy to create the look and feel of old paper or parchment. Just follow these simple steps and you will be on your way.
Step 1
Create a new document with the dimensions that you need (we have used 480 x 600 for this example). The important thing is to use a resolution of at least 160dpi if you plan to print it in colour. You can increase this number up to 300 if you want, but most ink based printers will look fine at 160.
Step 2
Fill in the bottom layer with a white fill.
Create a new layer and set its opacity to 70%.
Step 3
Setting your foreground colour to #ddcf83 and your background colour to #927e36 go to the menu item Filters -> Render -> Difference Clouds.
Step 4
Go to menu Filters -> Noise -> Add Noise…
Choose a setting of about 5%.
Step 5
Go to menu Filters -> Blur -> Gaussian Blur…
Choose a radius of 0.5 pixels.
And that is pretty much it. If you increase the dpi of your image, you may need to play with the noise and blur filter to get a good result, but by and large this should do it.
Step 6
If you want to add text in an old style ink, choose a browny black like #2c2119.
In regards to the font to use, if the page has been printed, I use Blackmoor LET, and for handwritten notes Ankh Calligraphic. You can see the two examples below.
Here are some pre-made backgrounds that you can use as well.
