Découpage is the art of turning everyday items into decorative pieces that add a touch of romance to the decor.
Following is a list of general items and instructions that are required to complete most projects.
General Materials List
- Item to be decorated
- Clear Sealer
- Sanding pads – Coarse, medium and fine
- Tack cloth
- Fine point curved cuticle scissors
- 5cm and 10cm hard rubber rollers
- Craft sponge brushes
- Sea sponge – large and fine
- PVA, Clag
- Chux cloths
- Water based varnish
- Oil based varnish
- Brushes for varnish – good quality ones are best for this
- Blu-Tack
- Greaseproof paper
- oil based coloured pencils
- pencil and ruler
- Acrylic paints
- Cracking medium
- Gesso
- Micro-mesh kit
General Instructions
- Seal the surface of item to be decorated with all-purpose sealer, paint or gesso.
- Sand gently with coarse sanding pad. Clean with a damp cloth then wipe over with a tack cloth to remove dust.
- Paint the background in desired colour and allow to dry. Sand and apply another coat of paint.
- Seal painted surface with all purpose sealer.
- Seal découpage paper, front and back, with sealer.
- Use sharp manicure scissors to cut out motifs. Arrange images as desired for your project. Use blu-tack while deciding your design.
- Mix clag and PVA, 4:1 and apply generously to images and surface of item. Place your images on the item and apply more glue. Smooth the surface of image and remove air bubbles and expelling excess glue. Apply roller gently to the surface to ensure it is smooth and free of bubbles. Wipe carefully with a damp cloth, so as not to move the image.
- Using a weak vinegar and water solotion wipe over the surface to ensure all glue is removed. This prevents mould forming after the item has been varnished. Let dry. Any patches can be coloured with oil pencil.
- Use sponge brush to apply two coats of sealer. Let dry.
- Working in a ventilated dust free area apply acrylic or polyurethane varnish to protect your finished work. Apply smoothly and carefully work in even strokes from end to end without lifting brush from surface. Allow to dry following manufacturers instructions. Repeat about 30 times, at right angles to each previous coat. Sand in between each coat also at right angles to previous sanding, using the course, medium than fine sanding pads. Wipe with tack cloth before reapplying each coat until you reach your desired finish.
- Polish with Micro-mesh or beeswax.