If I want to DTP just around the edges:
(I'm right handed)
I hold the paper in my left hand, ink pad in my right hand. Keep the paper steady, move the ink pad.
If I want just a little ink around the edges (such as to hide a white core paper edge), I hold the ink pad at almost a 90 degree angle and swipe/slide the ink pad along the edge.
If I want more ink to show (more of a grunge look), I hold the ink pad at about a 45 degree angle and start swiping. The more ink I want, the bigger or less carefully I swipe.
I can second the idea that watching Michelle Zindorf's tutorials for DTP are a great way to learn the technique for doing scenes on the whole paper.
Here is her blog.
Practice on some scraps before working directly on your good paper.