What is Decoupage? Learn from an Expert!

Are you wondering what it means to “decoupage?” I run a Mod Podge blog and I’m here to explain everything. Click through to learn more!

As the purveyor of a Mod Podge blog, you can imagine I get asked one very important question ALL the time:

What is Decoupage?

I’ll admit that decoupage seems like a more complicated concept than it really is because the word sounds fancy. “Decoupage” actually comes from the French word “decouper,” which means to cut out or cut from something else.

If you are a decoupager, that means that you engage in the artistic pursuit of gluing items to a surface. Which – although it might sound like something kids do in kindergarten – is absolutely NOT THAT AT ALL.

Decoupage is an Art Form

Decoupage truly is an art form. Sure, you can make it more basic if you like (and I do), but many a fine artist has used a decoupage medium to create a unique piece.

Projects are enhanced not only with papers and fabric, but with painting effects, gold leaf, ink, embellishments, and even other mediums.

I’m constantly amazed at what people are doing with Mod Podge in my Facebook group, and generally impressed with the level of talent. It’s not just a craft.

Getting Started

As for me, I typically use the word in two ways. I use it as a noun with the Wikipedia definition: “the art of decorating an object by gluing colored paper cutouts onto it.” I also use it as a verb . . . such as, “to decoupage paper onto a surface.”

(And I do this all with Mod Podge! Learn more about that below).

The Basics of Decoupage

If you want to engage in the art of decoupage, it’s very easy to get begin. You’ll pick a surface, prepare it, and then decorate with paint or other effects (you can also leave it bare if you like that look). Here are common surfaces:

• Wood
• Tin
• Glass
• Ceramic
• Metal
• Fabric (including clothing and shoes)
• Terra Cotta

Once you decide on a surface, you’ll pick something you want to adhere to the surface. Here are a few ideas. This isn’t everything, but these are the most common:

• Scrapbook Paper
• Fabric
• Tissue Paper
• Napkins
• Stickers
• Wrapping Paper

THEN you’ll choose your medium to bring it all together. Many believe that a decoupage medium is simply school glue or a vinegar/water/corn starch, but that is not the case (learn more here).

Picking a Medium

As you can imagine, my decoupage medium of choice is Mod Podge.

What is Mod Podge? it is a glue, sealer, and finish all in one. Mod Podge has ingredients and properties that a regular school/craft glue doesn’t have, and that is why Mod Podge projects that were created 40+ years ago are still around.

I’ve seen projects made by the original inventor of Mod Podge, Jan Wetstone, with my own eyes – and they are in perfect condition. That is what a good decoupage medium does for you!

If you are wondering which Mod Podge to use (there are quite a few), I’ve written a formula guide to help you select the appropriate type.

Tools You’ll Need

Definitely check out my list of decoupage supplies. You’re going to want to have the following at minimum:

• Brushes – I’ve spent enough time with bad brushes in my life that I’m now an advocate of good brushes. Invest in some good quality brushes like these or these and then take care of them.
• Silicone Mat – my first mat was a gift to try. Then I bought four more. I’m not even kidding! It’s a completely non-stick surface that can be washed/reused and will protect your table top.
• Brayer and Squeegee – I use my brayer and squeegee all the time. Like daily. Smoothing paper with my little sausages doesn’t work as well as putting even pressure on a brayer . . . and the squeegee gets into corners.
• Scissors – I cut a LOT of paper and fabric, as you can imagine. I like having a nice pair of Fiskars scissors. I’ve used this brand since I was little so I’m partial to it. I have one pair for fabric and one pair for paper.
• Brush Basin – You think you’ll be fine with a tupperware container or regular bowl until you try a basin. It’s got some awesome features like grooves at the bottom of one part that let you rake your brush along them for cleaning.

My supplies post has the rest of the items I use, but these are my essential tools.

The Basic Steps

Decoupaging isn’t hard, but it does take practice. What I LOVE about it is that you won’t need to make a huge investment to get started, and you don’t have to be an expert crafter to try it.

I’ll never forget when I started knitting at 15 years old; there was a huge learning curve. This is nothing like that!

Before trying it, you should know the basic steps of decoupage. You’ll want to read the post for more info, but here are the seven:

Prepare the Surface – sand or clean the item you’re going to decoupage

Pick a Mod Podge Formula

Prepare the Items to Be Decoupaged – cut your fabric, paper, etc.

Cut the Items to Fit the Surface

Decoupage the Elements with Mod Podge

Smooth Everything Down

Add a Protective Coat to the Project

If you can master these steps – and I have no doubt you can – you’ll will have mastered decoupage. You’re going to love this process!

Your First Project

My #1 piece of advice when starting just about anything, but particularly this new hobby, is to dive in. Start with something easy (I have 20 Mod Podge crafts for beginners here) and expect to fail a few times. You WILL learn it in the long run. I promise.

Go to the dollar store to purchase surfaces or buy a few $1 plaques at the craft store, and practice, practice, practice!

My first project was a tray loaded with bubbles and wrinkles and ended up in the garbage. Before long, I was decoupaging with ease, and now there’s nothing I can’t do!

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Are you ready to get started? Let me know what your first project is and how it went in the comments, or share with my Facebook group here. Happy decoupaging!