Learn how to make decoupage table with wrapping paper! It’s easy to do with Mod Podge Outdoor and this tutorial. Such a unique project.
Skills Required: Intermediate. Wrapping paper can have a tendency to wrinkle, so you’ll need to read my tips carefully. Otherwise, you should have some experience with Mod Podge before trying this project.
Hello there, fellow Mod Podgers! It’s Linda here, from burlap+blue, and I’m thrilled to be here today sharing a Mod Podge tabletop tutorial with you all using (of course) decoupage medium!
Decoupage with Wrapping Paper
As you’ll see in the following images, I had a small outdoor garden table in desperate need of a makeover. To the rescue? A gorgeous piece of wrapping paper and Mod Podge Outdoor.
I will say that there are definitely some tips and tricks for working with gift wrap and decoupage medium. It’s easy to wrinkle. So here are a few frequently asked questions! If you want to scroll past to the project instructions feel free!
Can gift wrap be used for decoupage?
Yes it can. All types – from the thin to the thicker types. Two things to note though:
- the thinner the wrap, the more likely it is to wrinkle (see below for solutions)
- metallic or cellophane wrap aren’t great for decoupage, because while Mod Podge dries clear, you’d be able to see some serious brush strokes more than likely
What formula should I use?
For this decoupage table, I’d use Hard Coat for indoor and then Outdoor for outside. Having said that, wrapping paper works with any formula. Use the formula guide to select the best one for you.
How do I smooth out wrinkles?
This is the big question! So if it’s a little thicker, you can use a brayer to smooth out the wrapping paper. Then let it dry before the top coat goes on (15 – 20 minutes).
If it’s thinner paper, use the method I use with this coat rack. You’ll want to wet the wrapping paper before applying it to the surface, and then roll it out. You don’t need to soak the paper, but you do need to get it damp.
Are you ready to dive into the decoupage table? Keep in reading!
Decoupage Table with Wrapping Paper
Gather These Supplies
- Mod Podge Outdoor
- Wooden table top
- Wrapping paper
- Minwax Polycrylic
- Foam brush
- Scissors
- Spray bottle
- Sandpaper (optional)
- Brayer (optional)
A note about Outdoor Mod Podge: as Amy explains in her Mod Podge FAQ page, Outdoor Mod Podge is very durable and water-resistant, but not completely waterproof.
If you want to make your project waterproof, she recommends using a clear, outdoor (or Enamel) acrylic sealer when your project is complete.
Step 1: Here’s my “before” image . . . basically, we found the iron frame at a thrift shop. I spray painted it (if you know me at all, that’s no surprise!), and had my husband cut a piece of wood to fit.
The first thing I did was mist the wrapping paper lightly with water to get it ready for Mod Podge. This helps prevent wrinkles. Get it damp don’t don’t get it soaked.
Take the wooden top and coat it with Mod Podge Outdoor. I took my piece of wrapping paper (found at my local Papyrus store – isn’t it lovely?), and lay it across the top, smoothing it out with a credit card to make sure there were no air bubbles (a brayer works well too).
Flip the wood tabletop over on a flat surface, fold up the two ends, and Mod Podge them down to the wood.
Step 2: This is a bit tricky to explain, and I wasn’t even sure how I was going to handle the edges before I started. Basically, I just folded each corner like I would wrap a gift, and Mod Podged it all in place.
Step 3: Once completely dry, seal the decoupage table with three coats of Mod Podge. I normally only do two coats, but really wanted this to be well sealed! After that was dry, I used a clear sealer by Minwax to waterproof it.
So what do you think of my decoupage table with wrapping paper?! Personally, I love how this turned out, and the turquoise and navy glittery wrapping paper adds some much-needed fun and sparkle to my back porch.
Decoupage with Wrapping Paper
Learn how to decoupage with wrapping paper on a wood surface! Grab a bottle of Mod Podge and get started.
Materials
- Mod Podge
- Wooden table top
- Wrapping paper
- Foam brush
- Sandpaper (optional)
Tools
- Scissors
- Spray bottle filled with water
- Brayer (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare your wood if necessary by sanding with sandpaper. Wipe away dust.
- Mist your wrapping paper lightly with water to get it ready for Mod Podge.
- Apply a medium coat of Mod Podge to the top of your wooden surface. Lay the wrapping paper down and smooth with a brayer to remove bubbles.
- Wipe away excess Mod Podge that comes out the sides and let dry 15 - 20 minutes.
- Flip the wood tabletop over on a flat surface, fold up the two ends, and Mod Podge them down to the wood. Let dry.
- To finish the corners, fold each in like wrapping a gift and Mod Podge into place. Let dry.
- Once completely dry, seal the decoupage table with three coats of Mod Podge, letting dry between coats.
- After that is dry, add a clear polycrylic to seal and make more durable (optional).
Notes
Mod Podge Outdoor was used in this project because it will be an outdoor table; for an indoor table, use Mod Podge Hard Coat.
Thank you so much for letting me share this decoupage furniture with you all today! If you’d like to see other tutorials with Mod Podge Outdoor OR wrapping paper, check out the following posts:
Star
Sunday 8th of October 2023
I want to cover my old battered desk top with a beautiful wrapping paper I found. I found your article and was thinking of using mod podge hard coat. But here in this article, you say you did the whole project in an hour. You mention using a sealer on the mod podge after it "dried". However, in the article on hard coat linked from this page, you say to wait 4 weeks before applying the acrylic sealer on top to let the mod podge fully cure. Which should I do? If I wait 4 weeks on this, my only work space, I'm afraid I will spill water on it or something before then. I paint, craft with clay, everything on this surface. But if I apply a top coat before the mod podge is finished curing, will it mess it up?
Also, I have varathane polyurethane and also spray paint clear coat. Would those work for a top coat or is there something better I should aim for? Thank you!
Bonnie
Saturday 18th of December 2021
Would newspaper work for this project? Would it change any of the steps?
Amy
Friday 24th of December 2021
Newspaper works a lot of times. But you need to test your newsprint with Mod Podge to make sure it doesn't bleed, since all these newspaper companies use different printers and so therefore a little bit different paper/ink. It should work fine! Test and see if you can see the backside of the pages and if that bothers you. If it does, you can make laserjet copies. And nope, same steps!
Kathy
Thursday 26th of August 2021
For the wrapping paper decoupage project, do you have to iron the creases in the wrapping paper or do you just use the type on a roll?
Amy
Thursday 26th of August 2021
The way Linda used it was in the roll, though you can also buy big sheets at some art stores. Otherwise I would iron it :)
Kathleen Southerly
Sunday 11th of April 2021
You said to wet the wrapping paper to get it ready for Mod Podge-do you spray the bottom or top of the paper? Also, if it's a thicker wrapping paper, is spraying with water necessary?
Amy
Sunday 11th of April 2021
Either side is fine to spray the wrapping paper if it's thin - it soaks through to the bottom. I just spray the top. Some people dip in a plastic container of water which is fine too! And if it's thicker, no it's not necessary. Well . . . depending on your Mod Podge skill level. If you're working with a large piece of wrapping paper, and it's medium thickness, I'd still wet it. Just because the bigger the paper, it's just harder to manage without wrinkles. If you can do a test first without the water on a scrap piece of wood to see if you can do it without wrinkles, that would be ideal.
Debbie
Saturday 23rd of January 2021
Thanks do much for your input your s great help thank you do muvh