How to Decoupage With Napkins on Wood

Look for napkins with interesting designs.

There is no reason to spend a lot of money purchasing expensive craft paper for a decoupage project. Use paper napkins, which are decorative and economical. Colored napkins provide inexpensive color to a project, while decorative bar napkins can provide interesting illustrations. One example is a decoupage project where you use cartoon bar napkins to create a wooden wall plaque for a game room. Before you begin the project, collect an assortment of illustrated bar napkins. Apply the technique to similar projects involving wood and decoupage.

Things You'll Need

• Rectangular piece of wood
• Paper napkins
• Decoupage glue
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Select a piece of wood the size you want for your decoupage picture.

2. Unfold your collection of illustrated bar napkins. Include a few colored napkins to fill in any blank spaces.

3. Arrange the bar napkins as you would like them to appear on the wood board. Cut or tear off unwanted sections of the napkins.

4. Add pieces of colored napkin to any blank areas. Plan to cover one entire side of the wood with paper.

5. Note the order of the napkins you have arranged. When adding them to the board, affix any napkins overlapped by others to the board first.

6. Paint a thin layer of decoupage glue on one section of the board, just large enough for the first napkin. Paint the side that will be visible when hung on the wall.

7. Lay the first napkin, illustration side up, on the glue you've applied to the wood. Add a thin coat of decoupage glue to the piece you’ve just affixed. Add another napkin in the same manner. Continue until the entire board is covered.

8. Paint the entire picture with a final coat of decoupage glue. Allow it to dry thoroughly.

Tips & Warnings

• Make your own decoupage glue by diluting white glue with water to make it the consistency of paint.