Decoupage can sometimes be deceptive. By looking at a finished project, you would think this craft technique would be complicated, but it isn’t. It is actually quite simple. If you can cut and paste, you already know most of the techniques involved.
Decoupage—from the French word découper, meaning to cut out—is a craft or art form that entails pasting cut-outs (typically paper) to an object and then covering them with several coats of varnish or lacquer. The process gives flat cut-outs an appearance of depth and makes patterns and pictures look as though they are actually painted on the decoupaged object. Decoupage is a fun and easy way to decorate just about any object, including household items from small vases to large pieces of furniture–the possibilities are endless. Best of all, decoupage can be learned fairly quickly in just a few steps.
1. Get your materials ready. Select an object you want to decorate, and collect materials to decorate it with. You can use just about any materials for decoupage, including cards, tissue paper, wrapping paper, paper shopping bags, magazine clippings, rice paper, thin fabric pieces, or (of course) decoupage paper. You can evenMake Paper to use. Generally, however, the softer and more flexible the material, the easier it’ll be to work with if you’re decoupaging a curved surface.
- Don’t use any images printed on an ink-jet printer as the color will smear with the top-coat. Instead, make copies on a color copier which uses toner that won’t blend.
- Try using fabric or wallpaper to cover a large surface area very quickly. You can even use these as a background before adding other decoupage items.
- Avoid using anything too thick, as it will stick out from your project and be more likely to be knocked off accidentally. You want to keep your surface as smooth as possible.
- Use found goods to decoupage to save money on supplies. Clippings from junk mail, free hand-outs, newspapers, and old books and magazines work perfectly for this.
2. Cut your cut-outs. You can use whole pieces of paper, you can tear it, or you can cut your paper to make interesting shapes and designs. Use scissors or a craft knife to cut around out the shapes you desire, holding the scissors so that they are angled slightly to the right. This will create a smoother, beveled edge.
- Tearing your paper will help to create smoother edges. To tear your paper smoothly, fold it along the tear-line and create a strong crease with your nail. Do this again in the opposite direction, and then tear the paper.
- Don’t feel like you must completely cover your surface area with cut-outs. Only prepare as many as you feel you will use for your project.
- If planning isn’t your style, feel free to glue your pieces as you go without deciding ahead of time. Keep tabs on your composition to make sure that you are gluing things in a consistent manner.
- Consider the color and texture of the things you are gluing. Mix and match different colors or try color-blocking areas of your project.
- For some materials, such as wood and metal, you may need to prime the surface with a coat of latex paint to help the cut-outs stick better.
- If you wash off the object, make sure it is dry before you start gluing so that everything sticks better.
- For a more complex appearance, make several layers of cut-outs. Lay down the first layer and then glue subsequent layers on top, partially overlapping the layers below.
- If there is a rim or an edge that the decoupage wraps around, you can trim it with a razor for a cleaner look.
Inspiration Gallery Sources:
- Before & After: A Colorful Refinished Vintage Dresser
- Mod Podge Books
- FLOWERY DRESSER
- BEFORE & AFTER: PAINTED DRESSER
- Be Creative with Wallpaper
- SIMPLY GREEN BOARD BOOK BIRDHOUSE
- VINTAGE SUITCASE & MOD PODGE
- Decoupage Photo Frames
- Mod Podged Handbag TUTORIAL
- Paper Scraps Magnets
- DIY MONOGRAMMED ART
- Lampshade Project from Mod Podge Rocks!
- Magnetic memo boards: made from the dollar store!
- PAPER SCRAP RECYCLING
- Mod Podge Daisy Pendant {tutorial}
- Mod Podge Shoes
- Covered Light Switch & Outlet Plates
- MOD PODGE SWITCHPLATES
- A Little Fall Leaf and Mason Jar Re-use Project
- 30 Minute Pumpkin Challenge – Mod Podge Pumpkins
- DIY Ring Catchers
- Mod Podge Fall Coastal Theme Pumpkins
- DIY World Globe
- Decoupage Pumpkin Treat Cup
Instructions from Wiki How