Things You'll Need
Acrylic polymer or varnish
PVA glue or Mod Podge
Sand paper
Pictures or pretty cloth
Paintbrushes
Scissors
Decoupage is the art of cutting and pasting pictures upon everyday items. Crafting with decoupage livens up ordinary objects, with endless options for creative expression. Decoupage pictures can come from magazines, photographs or printed from the Internet. After cutting and pasting, the finished decoupage project is varnished to provide endurance and a professional look. Decoupage can be applied to almost any solid surface with proper preparation, including hard vinyl items, such as purses or briefcases.
Step 1
Choose a proper vinyl surface and plan your decoupage project ahead of time. As the finished product will not be very flexible, hard vinyl items such as purses, briefcases, toys or records will work best. Soft vinyl used for items such as shower curtains or tablecloths will not be able to bend after decoupage is applied.
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Step 2
Cut out the pictures or cloth pieces that you would like to apply to the object. The sizes and patterns are up to your own imagination. Place the pieces onto the item before applying glue to get an idea of how it will look.
Step 3
Prepare the vinyl surface by rubbing gently with fine sandpaper. This will scuff up the vinyl enough to make it possible for the glue to adhere. Wipe any vinyl dust or debris off with a moist wipe or paper towel before applying glue.
Step 4
Paint the PVA glue or Mod Podge directly onto the back of the paper or cloth surfaces using a paintbrush. Glue these items as desired onto the prepared vinyl surface. Allow plenty of time for the glue to dry per manufacturer's instructions.
Step 5
Apply acrylic varnish on the finished decoupage project. Acrylic polymer can be painted with a paintbrush or applied with a spray can (available at any craft store). For a solid surface item such as a briefcase, you will need to apply at least three or more coats of varnish. Allow the acrylic to dry before applying an additional coat.
Tip
Use older or unwanted paintbrushes; as decoupage glues and varnishes are difficult to wash out, disposal of the brushes may be necessary.
Warning
Glues and acrylic varnishes should be used outside or in well-ventilated areas. Make sure your paintbrush has no loose bristles, as these will adhere to the glue and show up in the completed project.
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