How to Furniture Decoupage – With Glue/Sealer

Note: Folds in the paper disappear once you apply your glue (sealer.)

What Supplies are Needed?

1. Furniture decoupage paper (Great selection of large sized paper on our website.)
2. Sand paper or sanding block or nail file (Used to finish off edges.)
3. Paint brush
4. Paint brush for glue/sealer (inexpensive chip brush works fine)
5. Waterbased glue/sealer like Prima Redesign Soft Gel, Dixie Belle Gator Hide, Dixie Belle Clear Coat (Gloss and Satin have longer open times), or Modge Podge.
6. Plastic wrap
7. Optional – ruler or measuring tape (if you need to measure the paper for precise placement.)

Steps

1. Thoroughly clean the piece.
2. Paint the area that will lay under the paper in a white (or other light color). This way the image will pop. 
   Allow the paint to dry completely.
3. Apply a coat of glue/sealer to a small section of the piece. Its best to do large projects section by section or you will have a lot of wrinkles and bubbles to smooth out.
4. Place the furniture decoupage paper where you would like onto the surface – covering the wet section.
5. Take some plastic wrap and form it into a ball. Use it to smooth out the paper working out the wrinkles and bubbles.  Use smooth even strokes.  Once you are happy with the result, apply glue to the next section and repeat until your entire piece has been decoupaged.  Allow it to thoroughly dry.
6. Apply glue (which is also your sealer) on top of the paper paying attention to the edges and allow it to dry. Don’t worry.  The wrinkles will re-appear but they will disappear when dry.
7. Repeat step 6 if needed.

 

Important Notes:

1. Use the paper as is or cut out the specific image(s) you want to use . Tip: To avoid a straight scissored line, trim the paper by using a wet small brush to draw a water line.  Then with your fingers, separate the paper at that line.  This produces a ragged edge which will look more rustic and attractive.  Using a wet brush gives a better tearing accuracy than simply tearing the paper with your fingers.
2. When applying your water based sealer, be careful of any drips. Make sure to wipe them away.
3. If you have paper laying over the edges of your piece – rather than cutting it, use sand paper or a nail file to file away the excess using a down motion only. Filing in an up and down motion may tear the paper.
4. Don’t allow your brushes to dry out. Place brushes in a ziplock bag so they stay moist when you are not using them.  But definitely rinse them out thoroughly when you are finished with your project.

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How to Furniture Decoupage – With an Iron

Why Use an Iron?

Because the iron-on method eliminates bubbles & wrinkles and quickly produces a smooth finish.  Easy peasy.  Plus it decreases the likelihood of your paper  tearing when it gets wet. 

 

What Supplies are Needed?

1. Furniture decoupage paper (Great selection of large sized paper on our website.)
2. Parchment paper (Not wax paper. Find it in the same area in the supermarket as foil.)
3. Sand paper or sanding block or nail file (Used to finish off edges)
4. Paint brush
5. Paint brush for glue/sealer (inexpensive chip brush works fine)
6. Waterbased glue/sealer like Redesign by Prima Soft Gel, Dixie Belle Gator Hide, Dixie Belle Clear Coat in Gloss or Satin,  or Modge Podge
7. Optional – ruler or measuring tape (if you need to measure the paper for precise placement.)
8. Iron (Small craft iron or your house iron – TURN OFF THE STEAM!!!)

 

Steps

1. Thoroughly clean the piece.
2. Paint the area that will lay under the paper white (or a light color). This way the image will pop.  Let dry.
3. Liberally apply two coats of glue/sealer and allow to dry in between each coat.
4. Place furniture decoupage paper onto the dry surface.
5. Lay parchment paper over decoupage paper.
6. Iron (‘cotton’ setting) the parchment paper until the decoupage paper (positioned below) is firmly adhered to the surface.
7. Apply glue (which is also your sealer) on top of the entire paper and allow it to dry,Pay attention to the edges.
8. Iron again
9. Repeat steps 5, 6 and 7 if needed

 

Important Notes:

1. Keep the iron in motion or you may scorch the paper.
2. Use the paper as is or cut out images. Tip: To avoid a straight scissored line, trim by using a wet small brush to draw a water line.  Then with your fingers,  separate the paper at that line.  This produces a ragged edge which will look more rustic and attractive, or you can simply tear a line with your fingers.  Just be careful.  Using a wet brush gives a better tearing accuracy.
3. Thoroughly cover ALL areas under the paper with the sealer. Any dry areas will not adhere and create a bubble.  Crouch down to eye level with your piece so you can see if there are any dry areas.
4. When applying your water based sealer, be careful of any drips. Make sure to wipe them away or you will have to sand them away later!
5. If you have paper laying over edges – rather than cutting it, use sand paper or a nail file to file away the excess using a down motion only. Filing in an up and down motion may tear the paper.
6. Don’t allow your brushes to dry out. Place brushes in a ziplock bag so they stay moist when you are not using them.  But definitely rinse them out thoroughly when you are finished with your project.

 

About the Glue/Sealer:  I personally use Prima Redesign Soft Gloss Gel as I love the stability of the gel and it gives a beautiful finish.  There is also a matte version if you want less shine.  For table tops or furniture that will get a lot of abuse, use Dixie Belle’s Gator Hide as it is a tough sealer and it is also water resistant.  Dixie Belle’s Clear Coat in Satin or Gloss works well as well. 

But you can use any waterbased sealer on the market including Mod Podge (which you can find in most craft stores and WalMart) or Min Wax Polycrylic.  I have had good results with Wise Owl’s Varnish.   Most paint manufacturers have a sealer.  Just make sure that it is water based!

Find our furniture decoupage papers online (www.georgiavintage.com) or in our retail space.

Purchase decoupage paper and glue here.

 

About Georgia Vintage

We are furniture decorative artists that will help you to transform your furniture & decor into a works of art.  We are a top 100 Dixie Belle Retailer.  We sell:

• Furniture Decoupage Paper
• Redesign by Prima Transfers and decorative accessories
• Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint

Our Online Stores:
Georgia Vintage Paint (Dixie Belle Paint)
Georgia Vintage Decor (Transfers & Decoupage)
Georgia Vintage Paper (Decoupage)

Georgia Vintage Retail Store:
Inside Out of the Cedar Chest Antiques
129 Merchants Square, Cumming, GA 30004
http:www.georgiavintage.com

Questions?  Contact:  Cella Nelson                                        
Email: info@georgiavintage.com
www,georgiavintage.com