This Mod Podge formula guide explains all of the different formulas and how to use them. Updated with all of the new formulas for this year! There’s also a video. Scroll down to see it!
“WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MOD PODGE FORMULAS?”
You’ve asked it in a few different ways, but the basic question is the same. I’m ready to explain to you with my Mod Podge formula guide – so let’s do this thing. And in case you are wondering if you should make your own Mod Podge, the answer is no. Here’s why.
#1 thing to remember: All Mod Podge formulas are essentially the same in that they can all do three things. They are all good for gluing, sealing, and finishing.
The finish or use may be different, but they are all capable of those three things. Don’t forget that. Now read on to get the Mod Podge formula guide – but before you do that, check out this Mod Podge formula guide video!
Mod Podge Formula Guide
Are you ready to check out the Mod Podge formulas? Click on the name of the formula to go to a specific post about it and get sample projects. Let’s dive in!
Classic Mod Podge: Gloss, Matte, Satin
There are THREE formulas that fall under this umbrella: Gloss, Matte, and Satin. When the best decoupage medium in the world was developed over 50 years ago by Jan Wetstone, it started with Gloss and Matte . . . . at a later date, the Satin formula came along. They’re exactly the same minus the finish:
- Gloss – Shiny finish.
- Matte – Non-shiny (flat) finish.
- Satin – slightly shiny finish in between the above two.
With the Gloss formula, I typically receive the feedback that “after it’s dry, it’s sticky.” Sometimes I hear that about Matte too.
It really depends on the climate you live in, but there’s a very simple solution: spray with several coats of a clear acrylic sealer and you’ll be fine. Stickiness be gone! Extra protection too.
Result: great for all types of projects and most surfaces. These are your all-around Mod Podge.
Okay. Now after the three classics were born, the people at Plaid thought, “What if we developed Mod Podge in different formulas – for specific needs?” So they did. Which is why we have a Mod Podge formula guide!
The makers of Podge kept the two classics around, so if you notice that some of these properties overlap with those three classic formulas, you are correct. But think about it – can you really get rid of the original formulas? No way.
Brushstroke Mod Podge
Are you looking to get the look of a hand painted image without the hefty price tag? Simply paint Brushstroke Mod Podge over the top for a highly textured finish for an artistic look. Comes in Gloss or Matte.
Result: Very textured and dimensional (yet clear) and gives you the look of hand painting.
Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge
You asked for it, and now you finally have it! This dishwasher friendly formula was released in January 2014. It does the gluing, sealing and finishing of regular decoupage medium – but now you can put those items in the top rack of the dishwasher!
You should still keep this formula away from food and your mouth (3/4″ from the top of a glass), but now you can add items to cups, plates, and more . . . and wash them! Gloss finish. It MUST cure 28 days before washing.
Result: Use to add paper or fabric to something you want to wash (top rack dishwasher or hand wash only).
Extreme Glitter Mod Podge
Do you want Sparkle Mod Podge on steroids? Because that’s what this is! This formula contains ultra fine glitter and LOTS of it . . . so you wouldn’t want to put it over a paper or fabric where you want to see fine detail.
It looks great on all colors of surfaces but best on anything dark because the glitter really pops. I also love it on glass.
Result: Amazingly glittery finished surface that looks best on dark surfaces. Think “galaxy themed!”
Fabric Mod Podge
It’s not just wood or paper that people like to decoupage – it’s fabric too! Not only that, you know I love to decoupage fabric TO other surfaces. This formula does both.
You can decoupage things to fabric with it, and you can prepare fabric for decoupaging to surfaces by lightly brushing on and allowing to dry before cutting. It eliminates fraying. Here are 20 things you can do with Fabric Mod Podge.
Result: It’s main use is to adhere fabric to fabric so that it remains washable. Use to prepare fabric for decoupaging to surfaces and for decoupaging things onto fabric.
Furniture Mod Podge
This formula is similar to Hard Coat, but developed just for furniture pieces – also just comes in 16 oz. . . because you’re probably going to need more than the standard 8 oz bottle!
Result: Use for any furniture re-dos that you take on . . . like one of these decoupage furniture projects.
Mod Podge Glow in the Dark
Exactly what it sounds like. It’s the gloss Mod Podge with crushed fireflies! Kidding. Anyway, you’ll need to apply several coats for the best glowing effect. I love this stuff for kids’ project and my favorite-est holiday in the world, Halloween.
Result: You can’t really see the finish when the lights are on, but it glows-in-the-dark! Expose to light to recharge.
Hard Coat Mod Podge
This formula was specially developed to be super tough! Provides extra protection for projects that are frequently used and handled. It has a satin finish, which is somewhere between matte and gloss. It doesn’t show the scratches like the matte or gloss!
Result: perfect for furniture like tables and dressers. It’s the ultimate durable Mod Podge finish.
Outdoor Mod Podge
Decoupage + stuff that goes outdoors. . . . = Outdoor Mod Podge? Yes! Protects your decoupage project from moisture and the elements. Great for clay pots.
Result: Pretty simple: anything you decoupage that you want to sit outside. While you don’t *have* to, I recommend also sealing with an outdoor sealer for added durability.
Paper Mod Podge
A lot of people are confused by this one – can’t regular Mod Podge be used for paper. YES!
Here’s the thing though: the Mod Podge gurus realized that there is a group out there that do more advanced paper projects; scrapbooking to be specific. These people like their projects to be archival, and that means they want their glues to be as well.
Result: Paper Mod Podge is archival quality, keeps photos and papers from yellowing, and extends the life of scrapbooking projects. Comes in a gloss and matte finish.
Puzzle Saver Mod Podge
You’re probably not going to need an entire 8 oz. bottle of decoupage medium to seal a puzzle – and it might be nice to have a brush included, especially if you aren’t a regular crafter. Great idea, right?
Well, the makers of Mod Podge thought so too, so they put together a little 2 oz. bottle of Mod Podge with a brush on a card. It still comes in an 8 oz. bottle for serious puzzlers.
You can use the Classic formulas to seal puzzles too; this was created for folks who aren’t regular decoupagers but still have a need for the good stuff (it’s easy to identify!).
Result: Basic formula with simple Gloss finish.
Sparkle Mod Podge
Did you know there is a decoupage medium with glitter already inside? Yes. Sparkle Mod Podge contains hologram glitter pieces (rainbow effect) in a gloss base. Use several coats for more sparkle and shine.
Result: Adds glitz to your project in a minimum of one coat. Note that this shows up great on dark surfaces.
Super Matte Mod Podge
You know that chalk paint and finishes are all the rage right now. You can get that smooth, luxurious feel of a finish with this formula.
It’s hard to explain this formula is until you see it with your own eyes, and run your hand along it. I think it’s an amazing finish for furniture, especially a vintage item that you want to protect.
Result: VERY flat (no shine) and soft to the touch. No brushstrokes.
Mod Podge Ultra
This formula takes your standard decoupage medium to a whole new level! As you can see, it’s in a spray bottle, which I know y’all have been asking about for years. Here are the amazing features.
- NON-tacky
- Spray application
- Multi-surface – wood, fabric, terra cotta, and more
- Indoor or Outdoor (water resistant and UV resistant)
- Self leveling, no brush strokes
- Highly durable!
Result: yes, it basically does everything in a spray. You can brush it on too! Comes in a Gloss or Matte finish.
Special Formulas
There are a few special Mod Podge formulas that don’t do the gluing, but they act as special finishes and are complimentary to all of the decoupage products above. Here they are.
Diamond Top Coat
Preserve the beauty of your diamond puzzle projects and more with this Diamond Top Coat. This finish is a great way to make sure your diamond paintings stay together in order to display.
Result: A shiny, clear finish that doesn’t dull sparkle!
Mod Podge Dimensional Magic
Traditional resins give you a hard, varnish finish but are toxic and require mixing – not Dimensional Magic!
This product adds an epoxy-like finish to jewelry and paper crafts and dries clear. You can layer Dimensional Magic on top of itself (let it dry between layers). This formula comes in Clear and Glitter (if you can find it).
Result: Get the look of resin or epoxy without the toxicity and mixing. Dries clear and dimensional. Learn about Dimensional Magic vs. Resin.
Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium
You can use this formula to create decals or appliques from any original photo. You can also transfer images to fabric or wood. Keep in mind this isn’t clear – so anything you transfer will have a white background.
It takes some practice to use this formula, but once you get the hang of it, there are no limits to what you can transfer! See 30 Mod Podge photo transfer crafts here (most of them use this medium).
Result: A opaque photo transfer with a slick feel to the surface (you can decoupage over the top).
Mod Podge Resin
This epoxy resin product was released in 2021! It’s not a decoupage medium – it’s a casting resin used to accentuate your decoupage projects or make separate projects such as DIY resin coasters and geode coasters.
Result: Thick, glossy, hard finish that you can use on top of your Mod Podge projects.
Super Thick Gloss
You can’t glue with the Super Gloss; the goal here is to get a smooth, epoxy-like finish over a large area. To use, Mod Podge your pieces down with another formula.
Then use the Super Gloss over the top. It’s self-leveling and thicker than regular Mod Podge. So it gives you a very shiny, clear finish that looks like epoxy but isn’t (it’s not as thick as Dimensional Magic for those who are wondering).
Result: A super shiny, clear finish that is a little bit more thick than regular Mod Podge.
Mod Podge Stiffy
I get a lot of laughs about the name of this product, but stiffening fabric is EXACTLY what it does! And I tell you, I love Stiffy. It’s not used for decoupaging or gluing anything down – not a top coat either.
Instead, you simply dip items into Stiffy and it . . . stiffens them. Before you ask why you’d want to do that, check out my doily bowls. I have a lot of projects planned with Stiffy that I can’t wait to try.
Result: Not used for decoupage; instead, used to stiffen (primarily) fabrics into 3D shapes.
Other Mod Podge Products
The Mod Podge brand encompasses more than just decoupage mediums and special formulas! Here are some additional products that you can find at the craft stores.
Acrylic Sealers: If you need a strong sealer to spray on top of your finished project, these come in Gloss, Matte, Pearlized (which has a bit of shimmer), and Super Gloss.
Mod Podge Tools and Brushes: There are several branded tools and brushes that are specifically designed for decoupage projects: a large and small brush applicator, finger caps, professional tool set and more.
That should cover it for the Mod Podge formula guide! I want to let you know, as a final word, that ALL Mod Podge is self-sealing. You don’t have to hit with acrylic sealer.
I sometimes recommend it, but that is only for added durability beyond what you already get with the formulas above.
If something is going to get used frequently and beat up, then you should also spray or brush on seal with something additional.
i am making wallets from cotton fabric, and i was wanting to give them some strength and protection, would your fabric mod podge be good for that, they will have a lot of bending in them, please let me know thank you.
a smith
Hi, I make and sell jewelries.
Does Mod Podge get hard enough to polish?
I have tried several resins and 3D lacquers, they come out shiny but not as shiny as I want. And I could sand them smooth but they are not hard enough to polish.
So I am looking for something super clear and hard that I can sand and polish for the extreme shine.
Please let me know if any of the Mod Podge work.
Thank you 🙂
Hi Linda! No, it’s not a product that you can polish. Maybe something like EnviroTex?
Thank you for the quick response.
I have used EnviroTex Jewelry Resin before, and it turned yellow after awhile…
Do you know any resin, lacquer…or anything I don’t have to mix and they get hard enough to polish?
Thank you 🙂
I am trying to decoupage on glass dried flowers. I’m using mod podge and a foam brush… I am getting lines from the brush in the mod podge… I am desiring a smooth finish. Is there a mod podge I can use to get the desired smooth finish with no lines, or can you recommend me some other product? Thanks
Hi Gina! I recommend a soft bristled brush, and VERY lightly sanding with #0000 steel wool between layers. If you sand with the steel wool it will not hurt the dried flowers (remember to keep the sanding light!).
Great blog post. This was really helpful. I have been using Mod Podge puzzle saver for puzzles and decided to switch to standard Mod Podge as it is way cheaper. I was wondering if you have noticed if Matte will cause any cloudiness? I will be using a matte acrylic spray over the Mod Podge anyway so it made me wonder if Gloss Mod Podge is a better choice as it will might be more “clear”, since I will be doing a matte spray anyway? Basically would Gloss MP + Matte spray give the best desired final matte finish, or should I go matte all the way? Thanks for the advice!
Hi Ed! Mod Podge dries completely clear – the way to do it is build up several thin layers and let them dry between (on a puzzle at least). Thank you!
I was wondering, what would happen if I mixed the glitter into the modpodge? Also, do I have to rough up the parts I plan to glue?
Hey Amy!
I need some serious help. I have my wedding shoes from David’s Bridal and I’m wanting to glitter just the heels on them. They’re some type of silk. Not sure if they’re real silk or if it matters. Which modpodge would I use, and how would I go about doing this?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Stacy! Honestly I would paint the heels with a fabric paint in the matching glitter color first. Because, for instance if you put turquoise glitter on white shoes, you’ll see the white through the glitter. So *carefully* paint the heels, then use Mod Podge Gloss (it’s fine) and a chunkier glitter. Paint the heel with the Mod Podge, sprinkle the glitter over the heel, let dry. Tap off excess glitter and touch up any patchy areas. Have fun!
hi there. have you had good luck with outdoor mod podge on top of paint? i spray-painted a wooden pallet planter i’d made using rust-oleum outdoor paints, then hand-painted fine detail using folk art outdoor acrylics. i let the paint dry several days (spray paint took fantastically, acrylic was less fingernail-proof but as good as i’d expect), gave it a very light coat of outdoor UV acrylic sealant spray, and bought some outdoor mod podge after reading your guide & consulting the craft store folks. i applied the same amount/thickness of the outdoor variety that i’ve used on similar mod podge projects in the past. the painted/sprayed wood surface was clean & dry.
24 hours after application, i’m worried i may have ruined my project. i do need to wait the full 72 hours of drying time recommended on the label before jumping to any conclusions, but i’m concerned not to see the product looking clearer or being more tenacious by now. today when i went to add a second coat, i was surprised to find a cloudy-white layer of mod podge that peeled off easily.
am i just watching the pot too much? if this is a normal stage of drying for outdoor mod podge, i’ll re-coat the area i peeled off (& repaint some acrylic detail lost in the peeling – boo). if you wouldn’t expect to see a translucent, gummy layer of mod podge this far into the drying process, though, i’ll trust your experience…& might try to peel it all off. thanks for any advice!
Hi there! Hmm – this definitely doesn’t sound right. I’m wondering what was in that UV spray sealer you used, or the spray paint. The Outdoor Mod Podge is acrylic, as is the FolkArt, and they work fine together for sure. I’ve used them many times. If it still has not dried correctly, I would call Plaid to ask them: https://plaidonline.com/about/contact. I think they may need to refer to the scientists for more information.
thanks for the reply!
I am so glad to have found this! I work at a craft store and am always asked why there are so many different Mod Podges. Now I feel like I have enough information about all the of them! Thanks so much!!!
Just got a new job at Hobby Lobby. Unfortunately, they don’t pay me quite enough to buy everything in the store, especially the things I’m not *SUPER* interested in, but I’m so glad people like you make guides like this on the internet so I can answer questions about things I otherwise might not get a chance to experiment with myself 🙂
This has been really helpful 🙂
Hi Amy! Quick question for you! I have about 100 small, handcrafted Paper containers. They were used for Wedding Favor Boxes. I’ve been tasked with re-purposing them. I’m currently planning to make some All Natural, Organic Solid Perfume (Beeswax, Carrier Oil, Essential Oils for scent) and pour that into them.
Is there a version of Mod Podge that would work to seal the inside of the Paper Containers so that the Beeswax wouldn’t seep through, when poured in? Would the heat from the melted Beeswax be enough that it would melt a Mod Podge finish?
I was trying to find something Non-Toxic to use, as I really don’t want the chemicals from a “Toxic” Sealant to get pulled into the Beeswax and tarnish the quality of my finished product.
Hi Jessica! Unfortunately this wouldn’t work – the heat would melt the Mod Podge too 🙁
I’m wondering if you couldn’t use petroleum jelly? Although that might melt as well.