Decoupage Technique in Cardmaking

Decoupage is the art of decorating an object - a card or a vase - by gluing colored paper cutouts and adding special paint effects. By looking at the finished product, it seems that the process is complicated, but it really isn't. If you know how to cut and paste, then it isn't hard for you to learn decoupage as applied in card making.

In objects like furniture, vases, boxes and other containers, the technique begins by covering the object in multiple layers of newspaper or magazine. Each layer of wrap is sealed with multiple coats of varnish or paint to create a painting or inlay effect. Originally, 30 to 40 coats of varnish is applied and then polished or sanded. In 18th century England, this technique was called The Art of Japanning or the European imitation of Asian laquer work. This same technique, however, may also be applied in other surfaces, even flat ones like greeting cards.

In card making, decoupage is a technique to creating three-dimensional designs. Aside from applying layers of wrapper and coats of varnish, you may use four or more layers of the same picture, cutting out the parts of the design and pasting them over each other using alternate slobs of silicone glue or mini foam tapes to create the 3D effect.

Decoupage, although quite a popular technique, is also called "poor man's art". To do a decoupage card making project, you will need card blank and a separate sheet as your object. You will also need pictures to decoupage, which you can get from newspapers, magazines, brochures, catalogs, wrapping paper, etc. Don't forget to prepare your cutting tools like scissors, craft knife, and cutter. Likewise prepare glue and a tool to spread it with like cotton swab, brush, and sponge. You will also need sealer or decoupage medium, which may be glue, lacquer, or polyurethane. Finally, prepare rags or tissue for cleaning.

Because decoupage is rather messy, you will need another sheet to decoupage, which you will later paste onto your card blank. Cover your work area with scrap paper and keep tissue paper or wet sponge for cleaning. You may cut this decoupage sheet into various shapes and not just stick to the basic square, rectangle or circle shape. Make sure that the surface is clean and dry. Cut out the pictures you will use for this cardmaking project. Next, arrange the picture onto the sheet; the pictures can be scattered or overlapped. Afterwards, apply decoupage medium where the pictures are to be positioned and then stick the pictures. Press the picture with your fingers or pop stick, from center to sides, to work out the wrinkles. Add some more layers of design to the sheet as desired and dry. Cover the object with decoupage medium with as many coats as needed until the edges of the pictures are smooth. Let the decoupage dry thoroughly before you stick it onto the card cover.

You may create several decoupage designs and then stick them onto the card cover like a collage for a better 3D appeal.

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