How to Mod Podge Paper Onto Wood

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Transform a boring wooden object into a beautiful craft with this DIY project

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• Preparing the Wood
|
• Preparing the Paper
|
• Mod Podging the Paper to the Wood
|
• Video
|
• Expert Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings
|
• Things You'll Need

|Show more|Show less

Mod Podge is a product that works as a glue and a sealer, helping you make beautiful decoupage pieces with very little supplies and prep. This universal craft product is most commonly used to apply paper to wood. The process is relatively simple, but there are a few extra steps you can take to make the finished piece look professional. Follow our step-by-step guide below to learn how to Mod Podge paper to wood like a pro.

How to Mod Podge on Wood: Quick Overview

Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the wood and the back of your paper. Then, gently place the paper onto the wood, pressing and flattening it smooth with your fingertips or a roller. Let dry for 15 to 20 minutes before painting on a second coat of glue.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing the Wood

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1. 
   1
   Choose a suitable object for the project. Wood objects that work the best for this project include boxes, frames, and wooden letters. Avoid round or beveled shapes, such as balls or candlesticks, as this can cause the paper to crinkle.
2. 
   2
   Sand away any rough patches on your wood piece. Most blank wood pieces from the arts and crafts store come pre-sanded, but some may have rough patches. If you need to, sand those rough patches away with a medium to fine-grit sandpaper. Be sure to sand with the grain rather than against it.

   • If your piece has a very rough grain, you will need to sand it smooth first.
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3. 
   3
   Wipe the wood piece down to get rid of the sanding dust. A tack cloth works best for this, but you can use a damp cloth as well. You don't have to do this if you skipped the sanding, but it would still be a good idea to do so. Many store-bought items contain a thin layer of dust that may prevent the Mod Podge from sticking.
4. 
   4
   Paint the wood piece a solid color if desired. If you will be covering the entire wood piece with paper, you can skip this step. If you will cover just one side, consider painting it first. Be sure to leave the side you'll be covering with paper blank.

   • Acrylic paint or spray paint works best for this.
   • Use a color that matches the design on your paper.
5. 
   5
   Allow the paint to dry if you applied it. How long this takes depends on the type of paint you used. Most spray paints and acrylic paints only need about 20 minutes to dry. If you need to apply a second coat of paint, let the first one dry before doing so. Allow the second one to dry as well before moving on.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Preparing the Paper

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1. 
   1
   Pick out your scrapbooking paper. Scrapbooking paper works the best for this type of craft because it’s extra versatile. If your wood piece is much larger than the scrapbooking paper, consider using wrapping paper instead. Another alternative is to create your design on the computer and print it out using an inkjet printer.
2. 
   2
   Seal the paper with clear acrylic sealer, if needed. If you used regular scrapbooking paper, you can skip this step; however, if you used thin scrapbooking paper or printed out your design on copy paper, you may want to do this to add an extra layer of protection. Follow the steps below:

   • Spray the front of the paper first with a clear acrylic sealer.
   • Let the paper dry completely, then spray the back.
   • The finish of the spray doesn’t necessarily matter, as you’ll be applying Mod Podge over it.
3. 
   3
   Trace your wood piece onto the back of the paper. Flip the paper over so that you can see the back. Set your chosen wood piece on top of it and trace around it with a pencil. Repeat this step for each side of the paper you will be covering.
4. 
   4
   Cut the traced scrapbooking paper. Follow your trace lines and trim the paper. Cut the paper just outside the lines you drew to reduce the risk of cutting the paper too small. After all, you can always trim away excess, but you can’t add more.

   • Try using a ​craft blade for more precise cuts.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Mod Podging the Paper to the Wood

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1. 
   1
   Pour Mod Podge into a bowl or container, if desired. Pouring the Mod Podge into some sort of container can make it easier to access and dip a paintbrush into. Plus, it can help keep the Mod Podge container clean.

   • Bowls, clean and empty yogurt tubs, and plastic food containers work well for this.
   • Pay attention to the type of finish your Mod Podge has before using it. For instance, a gloss Mod Podge will give your project a beautiful shine, while a matte Mod Podge will reduce shine.
2. 
   2
   Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the wood piece. Use a flat, wide paintbrush, a foam brush, or foam roller to paint a layer of Mod Podge onto the wood. Be sure to cover the entire surface from edge to edge. If your paper is thick and sturdy, it may be a good idea to apply a thin coat to the back of the paper as well.

   • If you are applying Mod Podge to your paper, work on a larger piece of scrap paper so that you don't get your work surface dirty.
   • If you are covering multiple sides on your object, choose one side to work on first.
3. 
   3
   Place the paper onto the Mod Podged surface and smooth it down. Set the paper lightly onto the surface first. Nudge it into place, if needed, then gently pat it down. Use a spatula or rolling pin to carefully push the excess glue out from under the paper. Work your way from the center of the object outward.

   • Mod Podge makes special rollers for smoothing down paper. You can typically find it alongside the other Mod Podge supplies in the arts and crafts store.
   • If any Mod Podge leaks out from under the paper, wipe it off with a damp paper towel.
4. 
   4
   Allow the paper to dry before adding a second coat. Let the paper dry for 15 to 20 minutes, then apply a second coat of Mod Podge. It is very important that you wait; otherwise, the first layer won't cure properly, and your paper might crack or bubble.

   • If you have any overhanging edges, trim them off now with a craft blade or sand them off with sandpaper.
5. 
   5
   Add some cut-outs, if desired. If your paper has a pale, subtle, or simple background, you can make it look more interesting by Mod Podging shapes cut from other scrapbook paper on top. For example:

   • Choose a paper with a large pattern on it, such as birds or flowers.
   • Cut the individual birds or flowers out.
   • Apply Mod Podge to the back of each shape.
   • Smooth the shapes onto your covered wood piece.
   • Overlap shapes for an interesting effect.
6. 
   6
   Apply 2 more coats of Mod Podge, then let it dry completely. As before, keep these layers thin. Allow each layer to dry before adding the next one. Once you apply the last layer, allow it to dry completely.

   • Mod Podge typically has a drying time and a curing time. Refer to the label on your bottle for specific times.
7. 
   7
   Finish the other sides, if needed. If you are Mod Podging paper to a box, you can apply the paper to the other sides. Use the same method and technique as before, working one side at a time.

   • You can do 2 sides that are opposite each other, as long as they are not touching anything.
8. 
   8
   Embellish the finished piece, if desired. You can leave your Mod Podge piece as-is, or you can embellish it further with buttons, fake flowers, or ribbon.

   • For something simple, use paper scrapbooking embellishments. Peel the backing off of the foam sticker on the back, then apply it to the piece.
   • Outline larger shapes or edges with glitter glue. If you don't have glitter glue, use regular white glue, then sprinkle extra-fine glitter on top.
   • Apply a light layer of white paint with a dry brush for a vintage look.
   • Thread embroidery floss through the holes on a button, then glue the button to the piece so it looks stitched on.
   • Mix extra-fine glitter into Mod Podge, then apply a final coat for extra sparkle.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  How fast does Mod Podge dry?

  

  Nicole Bolin
  Crafts & DIY Specialist

  Nicole Bolin is a Crafting Specialist and the CEO of Stencil, a DIY Craft Studio in Phoenix, Arizona. Nicole specializes in interior design and various craft and DIY projects. Nicole holds a Certificate in Interior Design from the New York Institute of Art and Design. She opened Stencil in 2017 to teach others to create DIY projects that fit their home and lifestyle.

  

  Nicole Bolin

  Crafts & DIY Specialist

  Expert Answer

  Mod Podge dries pretty quickly, so it's best to apply several thin coats rather than 1 thick coat to get the smoothest surface.

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• Question

  Do I need to sand the wood before using mod podge?

  

  Nicole Bolin
  Crafts & DIY Specialist

  Nicole Bolin is a Crafting Specialist and the CEO of Stencil, a DIY Craft Studio in Phoenix, Arizona. Nicole specializes in interior design and various craft and DIY projects. Nicole holds a Certificate in Interior Design from the New York Institute of Art and Design. She opened Stencil in 2017 to teach others to create DIY projects that fit their home and lifestyle.

  

  Nicole Bolin

  Crafts & DIY Specialist

  Expert Answer

  You only need to sand the wood if it doesn't have a smooth surface. Sand rough wood with sand paper, then dust off the wood dust so it doesn't get stuck in the mod podge.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
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• Question

  Will these methods work with regular printer paper?

  

  T. Chinsen

  Top Answerer

  Scrapbook paper is generally a heavier weight than regular printer paper. Because regular printer paper is thinner, applying a thin layer of Modge Podge will keep the paper from warping. Too much sealant will soak into the paper and can change any color by making it more transparent. The method described should work for most papers.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
  If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn

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Tips

• Mod Podge comes in many different finishes, including glossy, satin, and matte. Choose the one that you like the best.
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• This project can get messy, so it may be a good idea to lay down a sheet of newspaper before you start working.
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• Mod Podge and decoupage are essentially the same thing. Decoupage is the artistic craft of gluing something to the surface of an item, and Mod Podge is a decoupage medium or glue. While one is a product and the other is an action, the terms are often used interchangeably as nouns and verbs.
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Warnings

• Do not let your Mod Podge piece get wet. Otherwise, it may get sticky or tacky, causing the surface to warp.
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Things You'll Need

• Wood box, letter, or frame
• Scrapbooking paper
• Scissors or craft blade
• Mod Podge
• Paintbrush or foam brush
• Mod Podge roller
• Fine-grit sandpaper (optional)
• Cloth (optional)
• Paint (optional)
• Clear acrylic sealer (optional)