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Best Decoupage Products

Replacements for Mod Podge

Thanks so much for your reply - you have really helped me - I couldn't see the problem before and kept making the same mistakes! Re: oil and water - It now makes complete sense!

I have now purchased water-based paint and varnish and today sent off on the web for some Mod Podge glue, as I found it was really hard to come by in art shops - Do you suggest this is the best for decoupage as I have not used this before!? And would I also use it as a varnish!!

If I painted a chair with water based undercoat - how long before I can paint it with the 1st coat of paint - I think you mentioned 2-3 days is this correct?? Then how long after that would I paint the varnish and lastly - how long in between each coat of varnish??!!

Thanks again - I'm so glad I found your website!

Regards,

Kate

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I’ve always used Mod Podge which is a Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA) formula. It’s easy to work with and easy to clean up.

Its only disadvantage is that it doesn’t form a hard cure.

If a project will take heavy use (like furniture) or be anywhere near water (like the labels I decoupaged on my spice jars), I finish the project by sealing with two or three coats of Krylon Crystal Clear Varnish.

Is Mod Podge the best? It may not be anymore.

More and more professional decoupage artists are switching to Acrylic Polymer (AP) formulas.

Liquitex and Golden Acrylic media are the most recommended.

I plan to try one as soon as I finish up my open jar of Mod Podge.

Since you’re using all water-based products, you can add coats as soon as the previous coat is dry to the touch. Water can continue to evaporate through the upper layers which are also curing and releasing their water molecules.

At room temperature and average humidity, water-based paint dries to the touch in about four hours. Water-based decoupage media take a bit longer.

I neglected to mention another advantage of PVA. It goes on white and dries clear. You know it is dry when it is completely clear. Kinda like cooking shrimp ;-)

Allow the project to dry a day or two before varnishing. Allow about four hours between varnish coats. Let the project cure for at least a week before use.

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Recommended Reading

These books are excellent resources for decoupeurs. Not only do you get tips and techniques, but also artwork that you can use in your own projects.

New Decoupage: Transforming Your Home With Paper, Glue, and Scissors By: Durwin Rice The Victorian Scrap Gallery: A Collection of over 500 Full-Color Victorian-Era Images By: Dee Davis Absolute Beginner's Decoupage: The Simple Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Beautiful Decoupage By: Alison Jenkins Collage Discovery Workshop: Make Your Own Collage Creations Using Vintage Photos, Found Objects and Ephemera By: Claudine Hellmuth 930 Matchbook Advertising Cuts of the Twenties and Thirties (Pictorial Archive Series) By: Trina Robbins Decoupage: A Practical Guide to the Art of Decorating Surfaces with Paper Cutouts By: Dee Davis

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