How to Decoupage Unfinished Pine

Decoupage is a simple artistic technique that allows you to personalize a piece in highly creative ways.

Little did we know, as children, that when teachers asked us to cut out and glue pictures to paper or wood, we were learning how to decoupage. True decoupage also requires covering the picture with several coats of a glue medium to produce a smooth, somewhat shiny finish. Unleash your imagination when choosing the paper; you can use the customary magazine pictures, but also consider wrapping paper, photos, greeting cards and even sheet music. If it’s paper, you can decoupage it to a piece of unfinished pine in just a few steps.

Things You'll Need

• Piece of unfinished pine
• Cloth
• Scissors
• Graphic element(s)
• X-Acto knife
• Spray adhesive
• Pencil
• Mod Podge
• Disposable foam brushes
• Cotton swab
• Brayer (a miniature rolling pin)

Instructions

1. Wipe the pine piece with a damp cloth to remove any dust. Allow the wood to dry.

2. Cut out your graphic element with scissors. Use an X-Acto knife for cuts that require fine precision.

3. Spray the back of your graphic element with a fine mist of spray adhesive. The adhesive, which is sticky but not bonding, will allow you to put the element in place and move it if necessary.

4. Make a pencil mark on the pine to indicate where you want the graphic element to appear -- for example, with a small dash in the upper left-hand corner.

5. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge, a decoupage medium, to the back of the graphic element with a disposable foam brush. Gently mount the element on the pine.

6. Make sure your fingers are clean before you press down on the element with your fingers to secure the element and also release any air bubbles and excess glue.

7. Wipe any excess glue with a cotton swab.

8. Roll the brayer over the graphic element several times.

9. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge over the graphic element, and just over the edges, to secure it to the pine piece. Allow it to dry and then apply at least two more coats. The thicker your paper medium, the more coats you will have to apply to achieve a smooth, even surface. Affixing a photo (from photo paper), for example, will require a few more coats of Mod Podge than, say, a piece of thin wrapping paper. Run your hand over the graphic element until the Mod Podge smoothes the surface to your liking.

10. Size up the look of the unfinished pine piece. If you decide that the shiny look of the decoupage contrasts too much with the dull look of the pine, coat the pine with at least two layers of Mod Podge.

Tips & Warnings

• Work on your pine piece in a well-ventilated room or outdoors.

• You can make your own decoupage medium by mixing 3 parts white glue to 1 part water.

References

• Decoupage: Discover Decoupage
• Elmer’s: FAQs
• Decorating With Paint & Paper; Karin Strom
• Simple Painted Furniture; Annie Sloan