Decoupage: Learn how to apply this craft technique

Artisans use innumerable techniques in order to work their raw material and transform it into totally new, more beautiful and more functional objects. Among the techniques is decoupage, also known as decoupage or decoupage.

Decoupage technique is the art of cutting and pasting decorated paper to cover an object, which may be glass, metal, wood or fabric. That is, you choose a beautiful paper, with a print that suits you and use it to coat a jewelry box, for example.

The term decoupage is French (découpage, derived from the verb découper, clipping) and means the shaping of shaping. However, the origin of the technique is Italian.

The technique arose from the lack of financial resources for decoration. With no money to hire artists, people decided to coat furniture and objects with paper.

Materials to apply the technique

The advantage of decoupage is that it does not require many materials or much investment by the craftsman. To decoupage you will need:

Napkin flowers 2un for $ 1.99 at the Palace of Art

Decoupage paper for R $ 2,99 at Armarinho São José

100ml General Varnish for R $ 9,90 at Bazar Horizonte

50 gr decoupage glue for R $ 4.89 at Armarinho São José

Acrilex 37 ml white fabric paint for R $ 2,80 at Livrarias Curitiba

5 condor brushes kit for R $ 39,90 at Craft Showcase

Multipurpose Tiger Grit 400 Sandpaper for R $ 1,09 at Armarinho São José

Learn how to decoupage step by step

Marinete Mattioli, author of the Facebook page specializing in the technique, Decoupage and Decorated Boxes, explains how to make crafts:

1. Choose the object to work on and make sure it is clean and dry.
2. In the case of MDF apply a coat of white paint, wait for it to dry and then sand and clean the entire box.
3. The surface to receive the paper should always be painted white so as not to affect the final color of your work.
4. Choose the paper or napkin to use.
5. Apply a layer of glue to the surface where you will apply the paper and spread well.
6. Apply the paper on top carefully and gently to prevent wrinkles.
7. Allow to dry completely and waterproof with general varnish.

Videos: decoupage tutorials

Check out the following two videos to better understand the process:

How to Make Wooden Napkin Decoupage

How to make napkin decoupage in MDF boxes

Tips and tricks for those who understand the subject

Marinete says that the best advice he can give to those starting out now is: don't be afraid to make a mistake. According to the artisan, creativity combined with a taste for crafts are the most important requirements, because only practice will perfect the work. Other valuable tips are:

• Pre-test your material before applying it to the entire surface to see if the result will be the desired one.
• The hair dryer is a great ally when drying the paper that has been applied. Use the.
• Pay attention to the finish as it demonstrates the whim of the artisan.
• Do your work with love and taste and the pieces will look beautiful.

Get inspired!

Check out images of work done with the technique to get inspired and start practicing decoupage today to redecorate your home and its objects.

Decoupage art for beginners- DIY (May 2024)