What is Mod Podge? A Magic Craft Supply!

What is Mod Podge? It’s a decoupage medium – an all-in-one, glue, sealer, and finish. Learn more about it and how to use it for decoupage projects here!

I’m so excited to explore the magical world of Mod Podge with you today! If you’re just visiting the blog for the first time, welcome.

I’m sure you can tell just by the URL that I’m obsessed. If you’re wondering, “what is Mod Podge?” then you’ve come to the right place.

It’s basically the best craft supply of all time. At least, in my humble opinion! And I’m looking forward to telling you all the details.

Decoupage medium is used in the art of decoupage, or gluing paper/fabric to surfaces. In fact, the name comes from combining “modern decoupage.”

When was it invented?

Jan Wetstone invented the product over 55 years ago, in 1967. Before I ever picked up a bottle, I recognized the logo. I feel it’s really memorable:

You’ve probably seen it before if you’re here! Mod Podge is at every major craft chain, Dollar Tree, Target, Walmart, and a variety of other stores in the US and worldwide.

What is Mod Podge made of?

If you want to get down to the nitty gritty, Mod Podge is a polymer that contains polyvinyl acetate, defined as “a synthetic resin made by polymerizing vinyl acetate, used chiefly in paints and adhesives.”

If you open a bottle, it’s white, creamy, and of medium viscosity. Though I will say, some formulas are thicker than others. It’s easy to paint on and it dries clear.

What it is NOT is Elmer’s glue, and you shouldn’t make your own (find out why).

Is it the same as PVA glue?

No. It contains PVA, but it’s not the same. There are additional ingredients.

How to Use Mod Podge

Mod Podge works on paper, wood, fabric, glass, ceramic, terra cotta, tin . . . and even some plastics. Let’s dig in to how decoupage will work on various surfaces, so you can get an idea of what you’ll be doing (plus sample projects!).

Using on Wood

I told you that most of the time I use decoupage medium to attach paper or fabric to wood, and that’s true. If you’re going to apply it to wood, It’s a four-step process:

1. Prepare the wood surface. This can include painting with acrylic paint – but the painting is optional.
2. Cut out your items to decoupage to the surface, whether they be fabric, paper, etc.
3. Paint Mod Podge on the surface. You can paint it on the back of the item (the fabric or paper) as well. Smooth down to the surface. Let dry 15 – 20 minutes.
4. Add a top coat of decoupage medium and let dry. Repeat as desired (I usually do about 2 – 3 coats).

It’s a relatively straightforward and simple process, though I do recommend practicing before you get started. I always recommend that crafters purchase a $1 wood plaque (or frame, whatever is cheap) from the craft store to begin.

Grab a single piece of scrapbook paper, newspaper, or fabric. Practice a bit before you get started. We have a great list of beginner craft projects here.

If you want to see some sample projects using wood, check out these ideas from the blog:

Using on Glass

You can absolutely decoupage on glass, and it’s a very cool effect! There are a few ways you can take your project. Generally speaking, you’ll do the same thing with glass that you did with wood, though there are some changes in step 3:

1. Prepare the glass surface by cleaning with mild soap and water. Dry. You can also use a multisurface paint or glass paint (optional).
2. Cut out the items to decoupage.
3. Paint Mod Podge on the back of the item and smooth down to the glass surface. Wipe away any medium that comes out from under the item. Let dry 15 – 20 minutes.
4. Apply a top coat over the item only. Wipe away any excess medium around the edges. Repeat as desired.

Tip: You can remove dried Podge from glass using an X-Acto knife or razor blade and some scraping power. However, I try to minimize clean up like this because it’s time consuming and a pain. So I attempt to be neat when decoupaging glass as much as possible!              

If you want to see some sample projects using glass, check out these ideas from the blog:

Using on Canvas

Besides wood, wall art is one of my favorite things to decoupage. The process is very similar to what I’ve outlined before, with one exception – you’re going to use a bit more medium:

1. No preparation is needed for a canvas, unless you are going to paint. Use acrylic paint for this step. Let dry.
2.  Cut out the items to decoupage.
3. Paint Modge Podge onto the canvas liberally AND the back of the item; smooth down on the surface. Wipe away any medium that comes out from under the item or sides of the canvas. Let dry 15 – 20 minutes.
4. Apply a top coat, and wipe away any excess medium that squeezes out around the edges. Let dry and repeat as desired.

TIP: Decoupage on canvas is relatively easy since canvas is so porous. However, I do find that I need to “slop on” a little bit more medium to get things to stick.

If you want to see some sample projects using canvas, check out these ideas from the blog:

Using on Fabric

It can be used to attach fabric to fabric or fabric to wood. Depending on what you are doing, you may be using this formula.

You’re going to follow the same steps under the glass section above, including being mindful of where the decoupage medium is placed (you WILL be able to see the outline of glue around a fabric patch, for example).

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: once you’ve painted any decoupage medium onto fabric, it’s on there. You may be able to wash it out – use our guide to removing Mod Podge.

If you are decoupaging fabric to fabric, definitely play with scraps before you get started. To see some sample projects using fabric, check out these ideas from the blog:

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Are you ready to try it? Leave me your comments, questions, and thoughts below! And before you go for good – don’t forget to see the decoupage car. It’s epic!