Decoupage Gift Wrap Tutorial for Customized Wrapping Paper

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Close up of Decorated Album
Credit: pexels.com, Close up of Decorated Album

Decoupage gift wrap is a fun and creative way to give a personal touch to your presents. According to our guide, decoupage is a technique that involves gluing cut-out images onto a surface using a special adhesive.

To get started, you'll need some basic materials like paper, scissors, and a decoupage medium. This medium is what holds the cut-out images in place and gives them a glossy finish. You can use a variety of materials for the decoupage medium, including varnish, Mod Podge, and even watered-down white glue.

The key to successful decoupage is to use a smooth, even surface. This is why wrapping paper is a great canvas for decoupage, as it provides a smooth and even base for your designs.

Here's an interesting read: How to Wrap a Book in Wrapping Paper

Materials and Supplies

For decoupage gift wrap, you'll need a few basic supplies. You can use a folding table or lap desk to work on your project, and wrapping paper is the star of the show.

Close-up of an elegantly wrapped gift with a wax seal and lace detail on vintage newspaper background.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of an elegantly wrapped gift with a wax seal and lace detail on vintage newspaper background.

You'll also need a good adhesive, like Mod Podge, to hold your design in place. Clear acrylic spray sealer is optional, but it can add an extra layer of protection to your finished project.

Here's a list of the basic supplies you'll need:

  • Folding table or lap desk
  • Wrapping paper
  • Mod Podge
  • Clear acrylic spray sealer (optional)

Supplies Needed

To get started with decoupaging, you'll need a few basic supplies. The most essential item is a folding table or lap desk, which will provide a stable surface for your project.

You'll also need wrapping paper, which can be any type, from thin to thicker varieties.

Mod Podge is another crucial supply, as it will help adhere the wrapping paper to your surface. Clear acrylic spray sealer is optional, but it can add a protective layer to your finished project.

If you're using a die cutter and vinyl, you can create intricate designs and patterns with your wrapping paper.

Prepare Mosaic Squares

To prepare mosaic squares, start by cutting magazine pages, calendars, brochures, and gift wrap paper into uniform 1″ x 1″ squares.

Make sure to have a variety of colors, images, and patterns to create a visually interesting mosaic.

Formula Selection

Young woman focused on wrapping a gift against a stylish brick wall indoors.
Credit: pexels.com, Young woman focused on wrapping a gift against a stylish brick wall indoors.

Choosing the right formula for your decoupage project is crucial for its durability and longevity. For a decoupage table, use Hard Coat for indoor and Outdoor for outside.

Selecting the right formula depends on the surface and desired level of protection. Hard Coat is suitable for indoor use, while Outdoor or Enamel is better for exterior projects.

If you want to make your project waterproof, consider using a clear, outdoor (or Enamel) acrylic sealer when it's complete. This will add an extra layer of protection against moisture.

For a quick reference, here are the recommended formulas for different scenarios:

Remember, wrapping paper works with any formula, so feel free to experiment and find the one that suits your project best.

Preparing the Gift

To prepare your gift for decoupage, make sure it's clean and free of any dust. You can use a tack cloth to brush out any dust particles or just a clean brush to get the job done.

Before starting to decoupage, take a moment to brush out any dust on the surface of the gift. This will ensure a smooth and even finish.

DIY Gift Boxes

Credit: youtube.com, Happy anniversary gift box idea 🎁 / Anniversary card making ideas easy handmade 2025

DIY gift boxes are a great way to add a personal touch to your presents. You can use leftover wallpaper to create unique and stylish boxes.

To apply the wallpaper, use a roller or a wallpaper brush with decoupage glue or wallpaper adhesive. I used leftover wallpaper adhesive, which worked perfectly.

Folding the edges of the box as you would when wrapping a gift helps prevent wrinkles and rips on the corners. Wrinkles and rips can ruin the look of your gift box.

You can decorate the boxes with ribbon to give them a finished look. This adds a nice touch to your DIY gift boxes.

If you don't want to glue the wallpaper onto the box, you can wrap it with the wallpaper and secure it with scotch tape.

Prep Your Surface

Before you start decoupaging your gift boxes, make sure your surface is clean and free of any dust. You can use a tack cloth or just a clean brush to brush out any dust particles.

Decorative gift box with thank you note, wrapped in starry paper, on autumn leaves.
Credit: pexels.com, Decorative gift box with thank you note, wrapped in starry paper, on autumn leaves.

A clean surface is essential for decoupage to adhere properly. I've found that a quick wipe with a tack cloth can make all the difference in achieving a smooth finish.

To ensure your surface is dust-free, take a moment to inspect it. If you notice any dust particles, give it a quick brush with a clean brush or a tack cloth.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when preparing your surface:

  • Use a tack cloth or a clean brush to brush out any dust particles.

By taking the time to prep your surface, you'll be able to achieve a beautiful and long-lasting decoupage finish.

Creating the Decoupage Design

To create a decoupage design, start by cutting out uniform squares from your chosen materials, such as magazine pages, calendars, brochures, and gift wrap paper. Cut the squares to a size of 1 inch by 1 inch to ensure a uniform look.

To add some visual interest, arrange the paper cut-outs on the gift wrap in a fun and visually interesting pattern. Leave a small space around each cut-out to create the "grout" effect of real mosaic.

Credit: youtube.com, DIY Decoupage Dresser! Wrapping Paper

Next, apply a thin layer of Mod Podge or white glue to the cut-outs and attach them to the gift wrap. This will help hold the design in place and create a seamless look.

Once you've applied the glue, allow each side of the package to dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step. This will ensure a strong and long-lasting decoupage design.

Metallic Gift Wrap

You can create a beautiful Metallic Gift Wrap using metallic paints and decoupage papers. This gift wrap has fun colors and patterns and can be customized to any person.

To make a Metallic Gift Wrap, start by painting plain white gift boxes with Dazzling Metallics acrylic paints. Two coats of paint are needed to fully cover the white boxes, and the Teal and Berry colors are especially vibrant.

You'll need a foam paint brush to apply a thin coat of Decou-Page to the box. Then, gently lay a piece of Decou-Page Paper over the Decou-Page and smooth the paper with your fingers.

If this caught your attention, see: Plain White Gift Wrap

Credit: youtube.com, Decoupage with Gift-wrapper and gold foiling technique - Full tutorial.

Here are the supplies you'll need for this project:

  • Americana Decou-Page Paper – Sliver Basics
  • Americana Decou-Page Matte – 2oz
  • Dazzling Metallics – Berry – 2oz
  • Dazzling Metallic – Teal – 2oz
  • Gift Boxes
  • Foam Paint Brushes
  • Scissors
  • Embellishments

Some fun embellishments you can add to your Metallic Gift Wrap include bottle brush trees, pom poms, and ribbon.

Wrapping and Finishing

Thinner gift wrap is more prone to wrinkling, but there are solutions to this issue.

Metallic or cellophane wrap aren't ideal for decoupage, as the brush strokes will be visible after the Mod Podge dries.

You can use the iron on method, similar to paper napkin decoupage, by applying Mod Podge to the surface, letting it dry, and then ironing on the wrapping paper.

To create a beautiful and trendy Metallic and Decoupage Gift Wrap, you'll need metallic paints and decoupage papers.

Here are some supplies you'll need:

  • Americana Decou-Page Paper
  • Americana Decou-Page Matte
  • Dazzling Metallics acrylic paints
  • Gift boxes
  • Foam paint brushes
  • Scissors
  • Embellishments

How to Wrap

To wrap your decoupaged paper, start by letting it dry completely.

Seal the decoupaged paper using a water-based sealer, such as Paint Couture top coat in satin, which dries crystal clear and self levels.

A paint brush is a great tool for applying the sealer to the top of the paper.

Smoothing Wrinkles in Decoupage

Credit: youtube.com, How to decoupage a NAPKIN with NO WRINKLES | Decoupage Tips for BEGINNERS 😲🤩🌺

Smoothing Wrinkles in Decoupage is a challenge many of us face.

The thinner the gift wrap used for decoupage, the more likely it is to wrinkle. This can be frustrating, but there are solutions to this problem.

One solution is to use the iron on method, similar to paper napkin decoupage. This involves applying Mod Podge to the surface, letting it dry, and then ironing on the wrapping paper.

A craft iron, plastic wrap, or a brayer can be used to smooth out wrinkles. My personal preference is a brayer, which works wonders.

Here are some tools you can use to smooth out wrinkles:

  1. Craft iron
  2. Plastic wrap
  3. Brayer

The key is to experiment and find what works best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is modge, podge, and decoupage the same?

Mod Podge and decoupage are related but not exactly the same thing. Mod Podge is a specific type of decoupage glue with a unique texture, while decoupage is a broader technique of applying cut-out images to a surface.

Does Hobby Lobby have decoupage?

Yes, Hobby Lobby carries a variety of decoupage products, including Mod Podge Professional Decoupage Tools. You can find these products in their craft or art supply section.

How do you seal fabric decoupage?

To seal fabric decoupage, apply a thin layer of mod podge or decoupage glue over the fabric, then smooth down a second layer of fabric on top. Seal the entire piece with additional glue for a durable finish.

Elmer Kassulke

Lead Assigning Editor

Here is a 100-word author bio for Elmer Kassulke: Elmer Kassulke is an accomplished Assigning Editor with a keen interest in storytelling. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for research, Elmer has covered a wide range of topics, from the Port of Bristol to the works of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Their expertise spans various categories, including geography, history, culture, and transportation, making them a versatile and reliable voice in the world of journalism.

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