DIY Photo Collage on a Budget (Easy Decor!)

Learn how to make the easiest DIY photo collage using Mod Podge and other basic supplies! You’ll love this cute wall art on a budget.

Skills Required: Beginner. It helps to have a little experience with Mod Podge for this project. However, if you follow the steps pretty carefully and observe dry times you should be fine. Just make sure to use laserjet printed images.

I’ve had several people ask me about Mod Podging their favorite photos – the answer is, you can! You can Mod Podge “regular” photos, and also those printed out on a printer (inkjet photos will need to be sealed).

This photo craft is such a great way to capture family members pics for moms, but it’s also a fun craft for teens. They will love making a huge display of photos of their friends! This looks great in a living room or a dorm room.

You can make it any size – any shape (I’ve seen a heart shape, oval, etc). You can also stick it in a photo frame. You can use black and white photos and make this craft at home in an evening watching television. The options are endless!

Making a Photo Collage

Before we dive into the tutorial, I want to answer a few basic questions about this project to ensure your Mod Podge collage success! Here are the questions I get the most often about this project. Let me know if you have any in the comments.

What do I use for the back of my wall collage?

You have a few options – this project uses foam core. However, you can use a piece of wood, a huge canvas, a piece of fabric, or anything else you like. Just remember that the larger it is, the heavier it will be.

What paint should I use?

This DIY photo collage actually doesn’t use paint, but if you are using something other than foam core and painting it – use acrylic paint.

Can I use real photos?

It really depends. Old photo paper (think 80s and 90s drugstore) is really thick and doesn’t play well with Mod Podge. Polaroids are a no – I’ve tried.

Ideally you’ll get laserjet print outs of your images on 20 lb. to 32 lb. paper; “regular” white bond paper as opposed to any type of photo paper.

The deal is that photo paper has coatings, so it’s hard to say whether the kind of photo paper that you print on for your wall collage is going to work. If you insist on using photo paper, do a test.

If you want to use inkjet, spray both sides of each photo with hairspray or clear acrylic spray. Let dry overnight. Be advised – inkjet ink can bleed. Learn more about decoupaging with any printouts.

What Mod Podge should I use?

You can use Gloss, Matte, or Satin – depends on the finish you want for your photo display. See the finishes here (you might like another formula as well!).

How do I hang my photo collage?

Use Command Strips for foam core, picture hooks for a canvas, and a hanging kit for wood. If you’re not sure, leave a comment and I’ll help you out!

You are going to love this DIY photo collage. Regular photos were trimmed and put onto foam core, for a project that cost less than $20. Check out the tutorial below to see how it was done.

Save Saved! Print

4.89 from 9 votes

Photo Collage

Learn how to make a wall photo collage with Mod Podge! The entire project costs just under $20.

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Active Time4 hours hrs

Dry Time4 hours hrs

Total Time8 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Yield: 1 collage

Cost: $20

Equipment

• Foam brush(es)
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Brayer

Materials

• Photos printed with a laserjet printer
• Mod Podge Gloss
• 2 20 × 30 foam core boards black
• Poster hangers
• Double sided tape
• Duck Tape
• Toothpicks

Instructions

• Plan out the photos you would like to use. Each board holds 24 photos (sized 4" square) in a 4 x 6 grid.
• Print out your images in 4×4" squares. Cut them out using the scissors. Lay them out on the foam core boards.
• Pick up each photo, apply a layer of Mod Podge to the board, and smooth down the photo. Rolling out with a brayer is preferable. Repeat until all the photos are applied to the board. Let dry for 15 – 20 minutes.
• Apply a top coat over all the photos and the board using Mod Podge. Let dry and then apply a second coat.
• Let dry overnight before hanging with Command Strips (or the method of your choice).

For more information on Mod Podging photos, read the FAQs here (search for “photos”). I’d also love for you to check out these other ideas:

• Creative Collage Art Ideas for Adults
• Wedding Card Collage You’ll Want to Display
• Mod Podge Collage with a Magazine
• Beautiful (and Easy) Watercolor Collage