How to Decoupage

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 varnishor lacquer.[1] 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 even Make 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.
   
   
2. Cut your cut-outs. You can use whole pieces of paper, you can tear them, or you can cut them 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.
   
   
3. Plan your decoupage project. Make a sketch of the layout or simply put the cut-outs into place without gluing them and then take a picture so you'll remember the arrangement.
   
   
4. Prepare the surface. Make sure the object you are decorating is clean and dry, fill in deep gouges, and sand it down to remove bumps and imperfections if necessary. If you want to paint it or refinish it, you should do this before pasting anything onto it. 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.
   
   
5. Use a glue appropriate for both your surface and your cut-outs. You can generally use plain white glue, but it'll be easier to use if you mix it with water it should be the ratio of 50% glue and 50% water. Make sure your lid is closed and shake, shake, shake.
   
   
6. Apply the glue. Use a paintbrush to brush a thin layer of glue onto your surface and onto the backs of the cut-outs. Make sure you apply the glue evenly and over the edges of the cut-outs.
   
   
7. Glue the cut-outs, piece-by-piece, to the object. Lay a piece of your cut paper onto the area to which you applied the glue. Apply the paper carefully to avoid bending or crumpling it, and smooth it out with a brayer (a small roller) or with your finger, rubbing outward from the center. Repeat with each piece. 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.
   
   
8. Let glue dry. Make sure the whole piece is thoroughly and completely dried before proceeding. If you are applying several layers, make sure each layer is dry before starting on the next.
   
   
   • If there is a rim or an edge that the decoupage wraps around, you can trim it with a razor for a cleaner look.
9. Apply varnish or lacquer. Seal the decoupage with a couple coats of an appropriate sealant, such as specially-formulated decoupage finish (available at art and hobby stores), varnish, or lacquer. Let each coat dry thoroughly before applying the next.
   
   
10. Sand the sealed decoupage. When the sealant is dry, sand it with 400 grit sandpaper to remove imperfections. Use a damp cloth to remove residue from sanding. Do not sand until you have enough coats of sealant to completely cover the underlying surface and cut-outs.
    
    
11. Continue applying varnish or lacquer. The unique appearance of decoupage is created by multiple coats of sealant. The number of coats is up to you. Depending on the sealant you are using, you may need as few as 4 or 5. Some decoupage artists use as many as 30 or 40 coats. Remember to let each coat dry before applying the next, and sand the decoupage after every couple coats for best results.
    
    
12. Finished.
    
    

• Once glue is dry, rub your hand over the surface, feeling for peeled up corners, wrinkles, or papers that may feel as if they are not sticking. If you're having trouble making your cut-outs stick you may want to brush a thin layer of diluted glue mixture over the entire surface, cut-outs and all.
• Make sure that thin papers are only printed on one side, or the pattern on the reverse may show through once the glue touches them.
• Keep a damp cloth handy to wipe off spilled or excess glue and to help press down the edges of cut-outs when you glue them down.
• To produce more of a 3-D appearance, apply your cut-outs in several layers, but apply one or more coats of varnish or lacquer over each layer, and then apply the next layer over that. The layers toward the bottom will then appear much darker than those on top.
• You can purchase specialty decoupage glues in craft stores, but they are a little more expensive than plain white glue.

• Make sure your area is free of cat, dog, or other animal hair, as such hair will likely get into the surface.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions when using any glue or sealant. Some of these may be flammable or may require ventilation or other precautions.
• Practice at first using cut-outs and objects that do not matter too much to you.

• Glue
• Paintbrush
• Lacquer, varnish, or decoupage finish
• Scissors
• An object to cover with decoupage
• Decoupage materials (newspaper and magazine clippings, paper cut-outs, etc.)