How to Decoupage on Wood with Perfect Results

Updated onApril 24, 2021

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Want to learn how to decoupage on wood with perfect results every time? This tutorial shares expert tips for using Mod Podge on wood with a real-life example.

Join me as I show you how to decorate a plain wooden tissue box using decoupage! Are you feeling fancy yet?

Wooden decoupage kleenex box next to three tiered tray

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How to Decoupage on Wood – Video Tutorial

For a quick-start guide to a simple decoupage project, click the image above to watch my YouTube tutorial.

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What does it mean to “decoupage” on wood?

Decoupage originates from the French word “decouper,” which means “to cut out.” In the 1600s, French artists began applying pictures to furniture as a decorative embellishment.

Today, you’ll still find a beautiful furniture piece or table top decorated with a decoupage technique. It’s one of the easiest ways to personalize a raw piece of wood or upcycle a finished piece. Plus, you can find almost all supplies at your local craft store.

How to decoupage wooden spoons with Mod Podge — Decoupage wood spoon tutorial

Decoupage is not just for wood, as you’ll see in my other decoupage projects, but the preparation steps differ due to the texture and grain of the surface.

Decoupaging on Wood vs. Other Surfaces

Supplies for decoupage on wood, including scrapbook paper, napkins, wooden tissue box and Mod Podge

When using a decoupage medium (a.k.a. glue) for wood crafts, there are a few notes to keep in mind.

Sanding: Before decoupaging, you must lightly sand the surface to make it as smooth as possible and prevent air bubbles. For larger objects like a piece of furniture, use a palm grip sander to strip the finish. Otherwise, say au revoir to your decoupage masterpiece, as it will chip away over time.
Painting: Most crafters paint their wooden pieces before applying any decoupage medium like Mod Podge. I recommend using an acrylic paint or primer to coat the surface.

Whew, now that we got that out of the way, let’s talk about picking out the decorative part of your decoupage project.

Decoupage Materials for Wooden Surfaces

Close up of wooden DIY tissue box cover made by decoupaging napkins with Mod Podge

In my video tutorial and written instructions below, I demonstrate how to decoupage with napkins and scrapbook paper. If that’s not your cup of tea, try these other lovely options.

Fabrics
Specialty decoupage paper
Tissue paper
Laser printed photos (not inkjet, as these will bleed)
Wrapping paper
Newspaper
Sheet music
Pressed flower petals

Types of Decoupage Glue for Use on Wood

In most of my tutorials, I stick with matte Mod Podge as my decoupage glue because I like its versatility. However, there is a decoupage medium for every man, woman, and child out there.

Matte: Flat finish, perfect for decoupaging on wood with napkins or scrapbook paper
Hard coat or Furniture: Ideal for furniture projects or heavily used items that require a strong and durable finish
Satin: Similar to matte finish, great option for furniture projects to get the “painted” effect
Glossy: Shiny finish, good option for photo transfer decoupage
Outdoor: Perfect for any project exposed to the elements (think clay pots)
Dishwasher safe: Allows objects (like glassware) to survive a wash in the top rack of a dishwasher (*not intended for surfaces near food/mouth)

There are a number of other varieties of sparkle, shine and colors that I will cover in a future post. In the tutorial below, I keep it simple with Matte Mod Podge.

Tutorial: DIY Wooden Tissue Box

Decoupage napkins on wood tissue box cover

Supplies

Wooden tissue box cover
Acrylic paint
Sandpaper (220 or 320 grit)
Bristle brush or foam paint brush
Mod Podge
Pretty paper, napkins, tissue paper or fabric of your choice
Clear plastic food wrap
Varnish or clear acrylic sealer (optional)

Step 1. Prepare wood for decoupage

Use light-to-medium grit sandpaper to smooth the wooden surface. Contrary to popular belief, it’s better to use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the wood after sanding. (A damp cloth will sometimes cause the wood grain to rise or splinter.)

For heavy-duty projects, I recommend using a loosely woven cheesecloth (tack cloth) after sanding.

After sanding, paint the wood in the direction of the grain for best results.

Step 2. Cut decoupage material to size

Before or after cutting the napkins, separate the plies to reveal only the top layer. (Most napkins have three layers, or plies.) You can sand off any long edges after applying Mod Podge, since the paper is thin enough.

For fabric and thicker paper, cut squares slightly smaller than surface area, since thicker materials are harder to sand off later.

Step 3. Apply Mod Podge and decoupage material

Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the wood using a foam brush or bristle brush.

For napkins, gently lay a square down starting in one corner and working your way toward the opposite corner. Use plastic food wrap (see video) to smooth out the napkin and prevent wrinkles.

For scrapbook paper, apply a more generous coat to the wood and spread some glue to the back of the paper before applying.

You may also choose to use a brayer and/or squeegee to press out air bubbles on larger wood items.

Wooden tissue box with decoupage napkins next to white rose

Step 4. Apply additional coats of Mod Podge and optional sealer

Apply up to three coats of Mod Podge on all sides of the tissue box cover, waiting 15-20 minutes between coats. Once the box is completely dry, you may choose to use a fine-grit sandpaper with water to “wet sand” (smooth) the surface.

For a more protective topcoat, apply a sealer. (If using a spray sealer, always do this in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors.)

DIY wooden tissue box cover with floral pattern next to three tiered tray

10 Tips for Perfect Results on Wood Every Time

Don’t skip the sanding. While it’s tempting to take some shortcuts, you’ll thank yourself for having a smooth surface to decoupage.
Throw out that old bottle of Mod Podge. If you see lumps, clumps or bumps, that could be a sign you need a new bottle.
Don’t use brushes that may have loose bristles. ’nuff said.
Quick and easy brush strokes in the same direction prevent wrinkles and tearing.
Hands off! Don’t use your bare hands to smooth Mod Podge onto thin paper because this may cause tearing. Use clear plastic storage wrap to help smooth the paper.
Apply more than one coat. Chances are you could have missed some spots, and this extends the life of your project.
Wait for it! If you don’t wait for each coat to dry before applying another, you might tear the paper.
You can “wet sand” projects with thicker coats for a smooth finish and then use steel wool to polish.
Let your project cure for 1-2 days before use.
For the most durable finish, use a clear sealer.

What other materials can you decoupage besides wood?

If you’re a decoupage beginner, you may not realize that you can decoupage just about any surface!

Here are just a few examples:

Terracotta flower pots
Glass (wine bottles, vases, mirrors)
Metal (tins, watering cans, frames)
Papier-mâché
Fabric
Hard foam
Cardboard (puzzles, signs)
Cardstock
Scrapbooks/albums
Canvas
Magnets
Candles
Foam pumpkins!

You get the picture. There are so many possibilities for decorating an object with decoupage!

More Mod Podge Crafts!

If you’re all about decoupage crafts now, be sure to check out my other tutorials. This is part of a series of posts covering the art of decorating using decoupage techniques.

Decorative garden stakes with Americana patriotic theme sitting in flower pot - DIY tutorial — Decoupage Garden Stakes

DIY decoupage wood sign that reads "Dad" — Decoupage Wood Sign

Decoupage wooden spoons in a mason jar (full decoupage tutorial) — Decoupage Wooden Spoons

Decoupage stacked flower pots on plant stand by outdoor fireplace — Decoupage Flower Pots

Three decoupage Easter eggs on candlesticks — Decoupage Eggs

Upcycled picture frame with printable recipe cards and washi tape pencils — Decoupage Magnetic Frame

How to Decoupage Wooden Objects: A Complete Guide

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Active Time: 20 minutes

Additional Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner/Easy

Estimated Cost: $15

Learn how to decoupage on wooden objects using Mod Podge and napkins.

This DIY decoupage tutorial includes a video showing how you can use napkins to decoupage a wooden tissue box cover.

The results will amaze you. This technique is perfect for refinishing furniture or making decorative DIY gifts.

Materials

Wooden tissue box cover or wood furniture piece
Acrylic paint
Sandpaper (220 or 320 grit)
Mod Podge
Decoupage paper or napkins
Plastic food wrap
Optional: varnish or clear acrylic sealer

Tools

Bristle brush or foam brush

Instructions

Use light to medium sandpaper to smooth the wooden surface. Clean with a dry cloth.
Paint the wood with acrylic paint in the direction of the grain.
Cut napkins or decoupage medium to size. For a tissue box cover, cut 4 equal squares to cover each side and a top square with an oval cut out for the tissue opening.
Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge using a foam or bristle brush.
Gently lay the paper down on the wet surface. Use plastic wrap to press the paper onto the wood and prevent the Mod Podge from sticking to your hands.
Apply additional coats of Mod Podge on top of the paper to seal, waiting 15-20 minutes between coats.
For a more protective topcoat, apply a clear spray acrylic sealer.