How to Decoupage on Wood

Preparing Wood to Decoupage

1. Sanding Your Wood for Decoupage
   
   If you are looking to decoupage furniture or any other piece of older wood, you are going to want to sand the surface before you decoupage. When you decoupage on wood, you want to be able to lay your paper, fabric, or other materials flat on the surface of your piece in order to avoid air bubbles. In order to ensure your surface is perfect for crafting, it will need to be sanded down. This especially applies to old furniture that may have cracks or indentations on the surface. For smaller projects, using sandpaper will work just fine for your purposes. If you are entirely revamping a full dresser, desk, or table, you may want to consider using an electric sander.
   
   Once you are done sanding your piece, be sure to wipe it down with a wet cloth. Sanding surfaces means you are wiping off tiny particles on the piece. You will want to remove all of this excess before applying any layer of decoupage to your wood. Sharp pieces of wood dust, no matter how small, can easily affect the surface and texture of your decoupage furniture projects and smaller pieces.

2. Painting Your Surface
   
   Much like painting a wall, decoupaging with wood requires you to add a primer to your wood surface. A clean, white paint will work wonders in this instance. Once your surface is sanded to perfect, apply a layer (or two depending on the shade of your wood) of white paint. This layer will allow for your design and colors to pop exquisitely. Crafters looking for a more eclectic look may choose to use a colorful paint for this step or skip it entirely.
   
   You do not need to paint wood before decoupaging it; however, if you choose to skip the paint, the wood grain may show through the paper. It's up to you if this is the look you're going for!

What Can I Use for Decoupage on Wood?

1. Fabric: Using fabric to decoupage onto wood is a brilliant idea. Fabric is a thick material that can easily withstand some wear and tear that thinner materials like tissue paper may not. It is important to keep in mind that when you are mod podging with fabric, you will need more mod podge both in the number of coats you use as well as the amount you apply to each coat. It can be hard to get the mod podge to soak all the way through.
   
   Great Fabrics to Decoupage with: Cottons, Lace, Knit Fabric, Old Table Cloths, Satins, Silks

2. Paper: Mod podging paper onto wood is an easy project that you have probably seen a dozen or so times before. When learning how to decoupage on wood, make sure that you cater the type of mod podge you use and amount to the paper type you are using. Decoupaging with tissue paper is a different process than decoupaging with wrapping paper. Also, keep in mind that some inks, like those in old newspapers, will run and may need a longer drying period.
   
   Great Papers to Decoupage with: Tissue paper, scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, laser-printed photos, newspaper, magazines.

Types of Mod Podge to Use

How to Decoupage Wood: The Process

1. Apply a base coat of Mod Podge of your choice after preparing your surface.

2. Place your material on top of this coat and remove the bubbles by using a roller or flat-edge piece of wood.

3. Allow to dry before adding a coat on top of this surface.

4. Allow this to dry before adding any additional coats needed. Projects that will be kept outdoors, used often, or in a very busy place in your home will need extra coats for extra protection.

5. To get an extra smooth finish, lightly sand your completely dry project with 400 grit sandpaper.

Taking Care of Decoupaged Furniture and Projects

How to Decoupage on a Wood Frame Tutorial

1. Wipe dust off frame with a slightly damp cloth; sand rough spots or edges if needed.  Paint the front and sides black; dry.  

2. Tear out two coloring book pages of your choice. Place right side down. Trace frame on reverse side of both coloring page sheets. Carefully cut out frame shapes.

3. Stack both frame shapes with edges lined up along grid on cutting mat. Using the ruler and knife, cut sections, as shown, cutting through both layers at the same time.  Cut a 1/4” strip out between sections. 

4. Alternating patterns, place sections on the frame until pleased with the arrangement.  Cut additional sections or spacing strips if desired. 

5. Choosing colors based on your photo, color the sections in as desired. Place sections on the frame to check color balance as you go.  

6. Working in one section, brush Gloss Mod Podge onto the frame. Apply Mod Podge to the back of one colored section; position, press and attach to the frame.  

7. Smooth out bubbles with an old credit card or squeegee, where needed.

8. Continue with these steps until all the sections have been attached to the frame.

9. Brush a light coat of Gloss Mod Podge over entire frame; dry.  Brush one or two light coats of Super Gloss Mod Podge over entire frame; dry.