Choosing the Perfect Mod Podge Finish: A Visual Guide

Are you curious what the Mod Podge finishes look like when they are dry? Scroll down for a handy dandy guide! Very informative. Also get a video about the formulas at the end of the post.

I get A LOT of questions about using Mod Podge as a finish (learn to Mod Podge here!). After all, you can decoupage with it, but after you are done, you can use it as a finish!

But how are the Mod Podge finishes going to look at the end of your project? Will they be shiny or what? That is one of the most common questions I get!

This visual guide is going to show you how each Mod Podge formula looks after you paint it onto your project and let it dry. I used a regular, soft bristle paint brush on paper.

In addition to viewing my samples, you should also:

Visit my Mod Podge formula guide to get learn more about these and additional Mod Podge formulas. If you click on the names of the formulas below you’ll get more details (including projects) as well.

To reduce brushstrokes from any of these formulas, use a soft bristled brush and then sand between coats. To do this, apply the Mod Podge and let it dry an hour.

Then use #0000 steel wood and lightly sand the entire surface. Do this between every coat. After the final coat, sand and then spray a clear acrylic sealer to finish.

Mod Podge Finishes

You can see what each of the Mod Podge formulas look like when they are dry below! I painted them on a gray piece of paper, so the point is to show you the light reflecting properties.

Mod Podge Gloss – Shiny, glossy finish. This was the first Mod Podge formulla.

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Mod Podge Matte – Flat finish with minimal shine

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Mod Podge Hard Coat – Satin finish: somewhere in between a Gloss and a Matte (slightly shiny).

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Outdoor Mod Podge – Shiny finish: even shinier than original Gloss

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Fabric Mod Podge – Shiny finish: very similar to Outdoor

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Antique Matte Mod Podge – Flat like regular matte, just with a brown tint

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Mod Podge Glow in the Dark – Shiny finish that glows in the dark when charged with light

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Extreme Glitter Mod Podge – very sparkly! Tons of glitter. Even more than Sparkle Mod Podge

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Mod Podge Super Gloss – HIGH gloss finish. This formula is a finish only – don’t use it to decoupage down paper

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Brushstroke Mod Podge – designed for adding texture to a decoupaged surface

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Are you ready to see a video about the Mod Podge formulas? My friends Cathie and Steve will guide you. Press “PLAY” in the center of the video in this post!

Also, I’d love it if you would pin this graphic below!

Thanks for reading and let me know if you have any questions in the comments.